Career Pathway Programs of Study

Career Pathway Programs of Study (CPPOS), otherwise known as career pathways, are one of several indicators the state of New Hampshire uses to identify students as college and career ready. Section 3(7) of the federal Workforce Investment and Opportunities Act (WIOA) of 2014 defines a career pathway as:

…a combination of rigorous and high-quality education, training, and other services that:

• (A) aligns with the skill needs of industries in the economy of the State or regional economy involved;

• (B) prepares an individual to be successful in any of a full range of secondary or postsecondary education options, including registered apprenticeships;

• (C) includes counseling to support an individual in achieving the individual’s education and career goals;

• (D) includes, as appropriate, education offered concurrently with and in the same context as workforce preparation activities and training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster;

• (E) organizes education, training, and other services to meet the particular needs of an individual in a manner that accelerates the educational and career advancement of the individual to the extent practicable;

• (F) enables an individual to attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and at least one recognized postsecondary credential; and

• (G) helps an individual enter or advance within a specific occupation or occupational cluster.

More information about career pathways may be found at the US Department of Education’s Perkins Collaborative Resource Network (PCRN): Career Pathways Systems | Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education