For more than 30 years, the Bridge to Employment (BTE) program has helped prepare young people for brighter futures through academic enrichment activities, career readiness and exploration opportunities, and higher education preparation. BTE inspires young people (ages 14–18) from underserved communities — both in the U.S. and around the world — to stay in school, excel academically and elevate their career aspirations. BTE strives to:
- Increase the number of students who enroll in postsecondary education.
- Increase the number of students interested in pursuing careers in the STEM2D (science, technology, engineering, math, manufacturing and design) or health care sectors.
Following locally led development principles, each BTE site is unique in its structure and operation, with excellence stemming from its school-to-career principles. Through partnerships with local Johnson & Johnson companies, secondary schools and higher education institutions, the program provides opportunities for meaningful, contextual learning; connects students with working professionals; and promotes high standards of learning.
FHI 360 supports the BTE program and students’ future success in the workplace by:
- Building long-term partnerships among businesses‚ educators‚ parents and community groups.
- Providing a library of resources, including hands-on STEM activities, skill-building workshops, mentorship guides and much more.
- Reinforcing parental involvement as a valuable link between young people and their schools.
- Recognizing and advancing exemplary community efforts to assist young people to begin building careers. FHI 360 hosts an annual Alliance Building and Training Session to encourage communication, learning and knowledge-building across BTE sites.
FHI 360 also designed and maintains the BTE website‚ which is regularly updated with new project information. Additionally‚ FHI 360 oversees program evaluation efforts and compiles a report on lessons learned that identifies factors contributing to success in partnerships between schools and businesses.
Additional Information
- With Bridge to Employment, Johnson & Johnson is 30 Years Ahead of the Curve on Social Programming
- Efficacy of a college and career readiness program: Bridge to Employment
Detgen A, Fernandez F, McMahon A, Johnson L, Dailey CR.
Career Dev Q. 2021;69(3):231-47.
