EDC §53021: The Golden State Pathways Program is hereby established to do all of the following: (a) Promote pathways in high-wage, high-skill, high-growth areas, including, but not limited to, technology, health

The Golden State Pathways Program is hereby established to do all of the following: (a) Promote pathways in high-wage, high-skill, high-growth areas, including, but not limited to, technology, health care, education, including early education and child development, and climate-related fields that allow pupils to advance seamlessly from high school to college and career and, provide the workforce needed for economic growth. (b) Encourage collaboration between local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, local and regional employers, and other relevant community interest holders to develop, or expand the availability of, innovative college and career pathways that simultaneously align with a local educational agency’s local or regional labor market needs. (c) Enable more pupils to access postsecondary education opportunities and workforce training opportunities, or to obtain gainful employment in an industry that simultaneously aligns with local, regional, or state labor market needs. (d) Support the continued development of a skilled and educated workforce, with an emphasis on addressing areas of acute statewide need, such as developing a diverse workforce to meet the need for professional and learning support positions in childcare settings, preschools, and schools maintaining prekindergarten, kindergarten, or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive.