A New Vision for Education

Kalamazoo RESA (KRESA) Career Connect is a continuum of career education programs that empowers the next generation of learners to explore career pathways and develop real-world skills. Whether you are interested in arts, automotive, technology, health, business, or anything in between, Career Connect has something for you. 

Career Connect offers a variety of classroom-based and out-of-school programs that are designed to complement academic preparation and help young people achieve their career goals. Learners can start their career exploration journey as early as kindergarten and continue until they graduate from high school and into young adulthood. 

Career Connect’s programs include: 

• Career Awareness & Exploration (CAE): Programs, tools, and experiences that help you learn about yourself and potential career pathways. 
• Career & Technical Education (CTE): Hands-on career preparation courses that develop professional skills and offer industry experience. 
• Education for the Arts (EFA): Arts exploration for students of all ages, with hands-on arts classes at the high school level. 
• Early/Middle College (EMC): Dual-enrollment with KVCC to simultaneously complete a high school diploma and an associate’s degree. 
• Career Pathway Planning Programs (CPPP): A continuum of services supporting targeted skill development, paid internships, supportive coaching relationships and wraparound supports needed to cultivate lifelong career development skills. 
  
  

Our Vision – a community transformed by empowered learners building fulfilling careers – is rooted in:

• Providing opportunities for all students to engage in career awareness and exploration throughout their K-12 career. 
• Career-focused programming that serves as a complement to, not a departure from, strong academic preparation.
• Intentional, specific supports developed to ensure equitable access to programs for all students. 
• A system that diminishes barriers to participation including transportation, site-based obstacles, academic readiness, and obstacles to post-secondary enrollment.
• A system that is flexible to changing economic and education needs, and harnesses the support of local education, business, and community leaders.
• The 21st Century skills of communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem solving.
• Our business/education partnerships, which will ensure students are offered the opportunity to earn industry-specific technical skills and earn employer-recognized credentials.