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2026–2027 INAUGURAL PILOT
Help Students Discover What’s Possible.
Bring career exploration, workforce readiness, and real-world learning to your middle school.
⌁Two Flexible
Pilot Models
Pilot Models
WHY WERKC?
Career readiness starts before high school.
Today’s students are preparing for careers that will look dramatically different from those of previous generations. WERKC bridges classroom learning and career success through meaningful exploration, practical skills, and real-world connections.
The Guide to Skilled Trades & Careers: Middle School Edition encourages curiosity and informed decision-making—without asking students to choose a career too early.
START WITH SELF-DISCOVERY
Discover your career interests.
WERKC participants begin by identifying the activities, work environments, and careers that interest them. The O*NET® Interest Profiler™ helps students explore six interest areas and connect their results with potential occupations.
The assessment typically takes 10–20 minutes. Students use their results to complete the WERKC worksheet and begin an individualized career-exploration plan.
Complete
Respond honestly to each activity prompt.
Reflect
Record your three strongest interest areas.
Explore
Investigate careers, education, training, and apprenticeships.
The O*NET® Interest Profiler™ is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration and developed by the National Center for O*NET Development. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
ABOUT THE GUIDE
Curiosity today.
Confident choices tomorrow.
Discover careers they may never have considered
Connect interests with future occupations
Explore skilled trades and professional careers
Learn about entrepreneurship and innovation
Develop workplace readiness skills
Set academic and personal goals
PILOT PARTNER BENEFITS
Shape a new model of workforce education.
Pilot partners may receive:
Implementation guidance
Program planning support
Virtual educator orientation
Supplemental resources
Mentorship collaboration
Impact evaluation opportunities
IDEAL PILOT PARTNERS
Public School DistrictsCharter & Independent SchoolsFaith-Based SchoolsBoys & Girls ClubsYMCA Programs21st Century Learning CentersAfter-School & Summer ProgramsCommunity Youth Organizations
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Help students explore.
Learn. Prepare. Succeed.
Become one of the first educational partners to prepare the next generation of innovators, skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.