YouScience ®, the leading technology provider dedicated to solving the skills gap crisis for students and employers, has partnered with Portland Public Schools (PPS), the largest school district in Oregon. This partnership significantly enhances PPS’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway programmes, starting with Benson Polytechnic High School and Leodis V. McDaniel High School. Through this collaboration, PPS reaffirms its dedication to preparing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in an increasingly dynamic workforce.
By integrating YouScience’s aptitude-based tool, YouScience ® Aptitude & Career Discovery, into its CTE programmes, PPS aims to provide students with personalized insights into their natural talents and abilities. Unlike traditional interest-based platforms, the platform leverages proven science to align students’ aptitudes (or natural abilities) with in-demand career pathways. These insights empower students to make informed decisions about their educational and career journeys while supporting the district’s vision of fostering a future-ready workforce.
Commenting on the collaboration, Chris Brida, Director of Career and Technical Education of Portland Public Schools, said:
The partnership between Portland Public Schools and YouScience is a transformative step in aligning education with the needs of students and the workforce. By leveraging YouScience’s innovative tools, we can empower every student in our district to uncover their unique strengths and connect with meaningful career pathways. By bringing together industry insights, educational excellence, and student potential, we are building bridges from the classroom to the careers of tomorrow.
Portland Public Schools serves more than 44,000 students across 81 schools, making it one of the largest districts in the Pacific Northwest. The introduction of YouScience in PPS signifies a pivotal shift toward data-driven education that enhances student outcomes and helps the district address workforce development needs in Oregon’s largest urban area.
Edson Barton, CEO of YouScience, added:
Partnering with Portland Public Schools is a significant step for YouScience and our mission to close the skills gap in all parts of the United States. By empowering students with insights into their natural abilities, we’re helping them discover and pursue career pathways that align with their unique talents and industry needs. This collaboration exemplifies how combining education and workforce development can create a brighter future for students and the communities they serve.
YouScience leverages proven research, artificial intelligence, and industry input to help individuals identify their aptitudes, validate their skills and knowledge, and get matched with real-world educational and career pathways in high-demand occupations. Individuals, parents, educators, and counsellors are preferred to guide and support academic and career paths, serving more than 11,500 educational institutions and millions of users nationwide. It has already made a difference in other Oregon CTE programmes, including Henley High School in Klamath Falls. It has helped connect students with health science career opportunities while addressing key workforce shortages, such as those at Sky Lakes Medical Center. It is used in over 100 middle and high schools across Oregon.
