Building AI and Technology Career Pathways for High School Students and Older Youth

Kids N Technology partners with schools, workforce organizations, cities, employers, and funders to help young people develop applied digital skills, professional portfolios, career awareness, certification readiness, and real-world project experience, building durable skills that transfer across industries and adapt to changing workplace demands.

Designed for High School Students and Young Adults Ready to Build Their Future

Our Workforce Development program is built for young people who are ready to move beyond classroom basics and develop real, applied technology skills that employers, colleges, and career programs recognize.

High School Students

9th through 12th grade students building career-ready AI and technology skills alongside their academic pathway.

  • In-school career and technical education
  • Afterschool and enrichment programs
  • Summer workforce academies

Opportunity Youth

Young people ages 16–24 who are out of school or out of work and ready to build skills, portfolios, and career pathways.

  • Workforce board partnerships
  • Municipal youth employment programs
  • Community organization cohorts

Recent Graduates and Young Adults

Graduates and young adults entering technology pathways who need applied skills, portfolio development, and career exposure.

  • Direct-to-workforce training
  • Employer and apprenticeship preparation
  • Postsecondary transition support

Young People Are Using Technology. But Can They Prove They Know How to Work With It?

  • The Gap Employers and Communities Face
  • How Kids N Technology Responds

A Structured Pathway From Learning to Workforce Readiness

Each participant moves through five connected stages, building skills, developing a professional portfolio, connecting with employers, and preparing for their next career or education step.

Explore

Career pathways, workplace expectations, AI tools, and responsible technology use. Students identify their interests and set learning goals.
Direction Arrows
Stage 01

Build

Applied AI and technology skills through structured assignments, technical projects, and real-world problem-solving challenges.
Direction Arrows
Stage 02

Demonstrate

Portfolio pieces, client presentations, and practical assessments that document what participants have learned and built.
Direction Arrows
Stage 03

Connect

Mentorship, employer engagement, job shadowing, and career exposure. Participants build professional relationships and see real career pathways firsthand.
Direction Arrows
Stage 04

Transition

Certification preparation, internship referrals, résumé development, and postsecondary planning. Participants leave with documented readiness for their next step.
Stage 05
  • Approximately 120 hours of applied instruction
    Program Length
  • 6–7 portfolio-ready projects per participant
    Portfolio Projects
  • Certificate of Completion issued by Kids N Technology upon meeting program requirements
    Credential
  • Preparation for industry-aligned AI credentials (specific credential named upon program confirmation)
    Certification Readiness
  • In-person, virtual, or hybrid — confirm with partnership coordinator
    Format
  • Approximately 15 participants per cohort
    Cohort Size

From AI Training to Documented Community Impact

AI STEM Studios participants did more than learn how to use artificial intelligence. They applied their skills to a real operational challenge facing the City of Memphis — and produced results that were recognized at the highest level of local government.

6

Certified AI Developers

Participants in the initial cohort completed AI Developer certification requirements.

100%

Built Professional Portfolios

Every program completer developed a professional portfolio of AI and technology projects.

$100K+

Community and Operational Value

Students developed an application for the City of Memphis generating confirmed savings and operational value.

120

Hours of Applied Training

Each participant completes approximately 120 hours of project-based AI and workforce instruction.

6–7

Portfolio-Ready Projects

Each participant completes multiple projects suitable for sharing with employers, colleges, and mentors.

15

Next Cohort Participants

Following the initial cohort, AI STEM Studios launched a subsequent cohort demonstrating early program growth.

1

City of Memphis Proclamation

Students received an official proclamation in August 2025 recognizing innovation and community impact.

2025

City Recognition Year

Memphis officially recognized the program and its student-led community impact project in August 2025.

City of Memphis Recognized. Community Impact Documented.

In August 2025, AI STEM Studios participants received an official City of Memphis proclamation recognizing their innovation, community impact, and use of technology to solve a real-world problem. Students developed a technology application for the City that produced more than $100,000 in confirmed savings and operational value — demonstrating what young people can accomplish when given structured training, real tools, and a meaningful challenge.

Skills That Transfer. Portfolios That Prove It.

Our programs build durable AI and technology skills that transfer across industries and adapt to changing workplace demands — going far beyond single-tool training to develop the judgment, communication, and problem-solving skills employers actually need.

  • AI and Technical Skills
  • Workforce and Career Development

Flexible Partnership Models for Schools, Workforce Organizations, and Funders

Three ways to bring Workforce Development programming to your students or community — each built on the same proven foundation with structured curriculum, professional development, and implementation support.

  • Model 01

Kids N Technology-Led

Our trained instructors deliver Workforce Development programming directly to participants — in school, through workforce board partnerships, or in community settings.

  • Schools and CTE programs needing staffing support
  • Workforce board and municipal cohorts
  • Rapid launch and pilot programs
  • Afterschool, summer, and enrichment settings
  • Model 02

Curriculum Licensing + Professional Development

License the Workforce Development curriculum and receive professional development so your staff or educators can deliver the program independently.

  • Organizations building internal delivery capacity
  • Long-term multi-cohort programs
  • Scalable implementation across multiple sites
  • Staff training and ongoing coaching support
  • Model 03

Customized Partnership

A co-designed model built around your organization’s specific goals, participant population, funding structure, and timeline.

  • Workforce boards with specific grant requirements
  • Municipalities and civic organizations
  • Employers building talent pipelines
  • Foundations and corporate sponsors

Find Your Partnership Path

Workforce Development partnerships work differently depending on your organization’s role, goals, and funding structure. Select the option that best describes your organization.

  • Schools and High School Networks

Career exploration, CTE electives, afterschool programs, and summer workforce academies for 9th–12th grade students.

  • Workforce Boards and Municipal Partners

Cohort-based training tied to youth employment, economic mobility, and community development goals for opportunity youth.

  • Employers and Corporate Partners

Mentors, speakers, project sponsors, job shadowing, internships, and hiring exposure for program participants.

  • Foundations and Corporate Funders

Sponsored cohorts, equipment, participant support, and measurable community impact with documented outcomes reporting.

  • BUILD A WORKFORCE PATHWAY

Develop a Workforce Pathway Built Around Your Participants, Employers, and Funding Goals

Whether you are planning a school pilot, a workforce board cohort, or a community-funded program, Kids N Technology can help you define the program model, participant pathway, implementation requirements, and outcomes reporting structure that fits your organization’s needs and goals.