High School Inc. Academies Foundation has announced a three-year, $1 million grant from the Larry and Helen Hoag Foundation in support of its Empowering the Workforce of Tomorrow initiative.

The grant will enable High School Inc. to expand and enhance its education and workforce development programs in Orange County, California. The initiative aims to bridge skills gap and provide students from underserved communities with the education and training needed to thrive in high growth and high-tech industries. To that end, the grant will help High School Inc. to increase the number of students it serves by nearly 200 percent while maintaining a 95 percent graduation rate among senior participants, providing internships and work experience to 70 percent of juniors and seniors, and engaging 95 percent of participants in work-based learning activities.

“These academies—ranging from culinary arts to automotive technology and computer science—are not just about learning skills; they’re about opening doors to future careers and creating pathways to success,” said Hoag Foundation grants committee board member Darren Freeman. “By investing in these programs, we’re helping to ensure that our young people are prepared to thrive and become productive contributors in the industries of tomorrow, ultimately enriching our entire community.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/skynesher)