We’re thrilled to announce that Dallas has been named the newest New Skills for Youth (NSFY) Innovation Site, thanks in large part to the work begun by our Dallas County Promise coalition. NSFY has released a full report providing a snapshot view of Dallas County and the work taking place.
In 2016, JPMorgan Chase & Co. launched New Skills for Youth (NSFY), a $75 million, five-year global initiative aimed at transforming how cities and states ensure that young people are career ready. Local investments from across the world - called Innovations Sites - aim to identify and implement the most promising ideas in career education, with a special focus on communities with the greatest needs.
The Dallas County Promise not only provides a last dollar scholarship to the Dallas County Community College District and other participating universities, but helps guide students through the application and financial aid processes and provides college and career mentorship to aid in completion and living wage attainment.
JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s generous investment of $3 million will support the work of the Dallas County Promise in three targeted ways:
- Providing technical assistance to participating high schools
- Developing workforce/career pathways strategies
- Enhancing data capabilities
These tools will be instrumental in fulfilling the coalition’s vision of Dallas becoming “the first American city to solve the talent gap by producing equity in college completion.”
In Dallas County, only 37 percent of adults have a two- or four-year degree, yet 65 percent of living-wage jobs require an education beyond high school. As the NSFY 2019 Snapshot of Dallas puts it: “The challenge in this case is the tale of two counties: Dallas County is among the fastest growing economies in the country, but it is plagued by poverty levels that have increased 42 percent over the past 15 years. A mismatch in workforce needs and supply and a gap in education opportunity are driving forces for the community.”
The good news is that, in just two full years of existence, the Promise has already increased local rates of financial aid completion, college enrollment, and persistence in higher education. There is still a great deal of work to be done, but we are excited and humbled to be joined by JPMorgan Chase and New Skills for Youth as we continue. To learn more about New Skills for Youth and the Dallas County Promise, read the NSFY 2019 Snapshot of Dallas
