Scaling Community and Technical College Programs that Connect Learners to Paid Work-Based Learning and Quality Jobs 

Project ACCESS: Accelerating Career Connections and Employment Success Strategies

Program Overview

JFF and The PwC Foundation are collaborating to support a cohort of 10 exemplary public community and technical colleges in accelerating innovative programs that have demonstrated success in connecting learners to paid work-based learning opportunities and quality jobs. The goal is to serve all learners and to close outcomes gaps for learners who face barriers in our education and workforce systems, including Black and Latine learners, women of all backgrounds, learners from low-income households, and first-generation college students. Through direct funding and technical assistance, JFF and The PwC Foundation are strengthening and scaling existing programs aligned with a variety of strategies, including apprenticeship and work-based learning, career navigation services and supports, and short-term credentials that lead to paid employment.

Our goal is to:

• Expand and scale successful programs that have demonstrated impact
• Enhance data collection and analysis to drive continuous improvement
• Strengthen relationships between colleges and employers
• Share leading practices across a national network of innovative institutions

By participating in this initiative, these colleges have the power to not only transform the lives of their students but also to contribute to a national movement to strengthen and scale effective workforce and education strategies.

Background

Community and technical colleges play a critical role in driving economic mobility for learners and the communities they serve. However, they often face additional hurdles when designing and implementing work-based learning (WBL) opportunities and other strategies to expand pathways to high-wage, high-growth jobs.

Research shows the incredible impact that paid internships and other work-based learning opportunities can have on students in terms of access to quality jobs and connection to labor market opportunity, but we also know that not everyone has equal access to these opportunities. For example, Black and Latine learners, as well as women, low-income, and first-generation learners, are less likely to experience paid internships and other WBL opportunities, and data on participation in these opportunities are limited. The removal of barriers to upward economic mobility is vital for the sustainable growth and development of the community college to career pipeline and to realizing the economic potential of our communities.

Partners

Community and technical college partners were selected following a competitive RFP process that occurred between November 2024 and January 2025 which attracted proposals from 127 institutions throughout the country.

• Bunker Hill Community College, Boston, MA
• City Colleges of Chicago, Chicago, IL
• Colorado Mountain College, Glenwood Springs, CO
• Columbus State Community College, Columbus, OH
• East Los Angeles College, Monterey Park, CA
• Edmonds College, Lynnwood, WA
• Front Range Community College, Fort Collins, CO
• Middlesex Community College, Lowell, MA
• Surry Community College, Dobson, NC
• TCAT Jackson, Jackson, TN

Elements of Participation (May 2025 – June 2027)

Participating colleges receive a comprehensive package of support designed to accelerate and amplify impact:

• Passthrough Funding Support: $300,000 (award in two installments over two years) to strengthen, expand, and scale effective programs, including research and evaluation support.
• Expert Technical Assistance: Ongoing coaching and technical assistance from JFF subject matter experts.
• Peer Learning Community: Engagement in a vibrant community of practice with other innovative colleges across the country.
• National Recognition: Opportunity to be featured in thought leadership and national convenings.

For more information, contact projectaccess@jff.org. As materials from the project are shared externally, they will be available from this webpage.

JFF project team members (not pictured) also include: Mara Lockowandt, Tia Kim, Phoenix Asifa, and Erin Bowes