CAreer Pathways

About

The CAreer Pathways program ended September 30, 2024.

The California State Library supported a variety of workforce development and upskilling resources for all Californians through their local public libraries.

Public libraries are community hubs that bring people together and close the opportunity gap. The resources available through CAreer Pathways helped libraries increase digital equity and support the information needs of a 21st Century society.

Impact

957,800+

hours of learning

Photo of young, African American man smiling, seated in front of a laptop, in loft-like setting with brick wall. Tag line caption reads: Learn new job skills.
1,043,600+

lessons taken

Statistics from October 2022 – September 2024.

In June 2023, a CAreer Pathways user survey demonstrated:

  • Learners using the CAreer Pathways platforms report feeling more knowledgeable (79%), more confident (63%), more prepared (57%), more engaged/connected (46%), and more competitive in the job market (36%).
  • Nearly three-quarters of learners used the skills they learned on CAreer Pathways resources to do something different or new (74%) and almost half of the learners (47%) reported they completed a task they could not do before using the resources.
  • The majority of learners were 30–49 years old (54%), followed by 18–29 years old (17%) and 50–59 years old (17%). Two thirds of all learners (65%) identified as female.

My husband was unable to get a job with the degree he had as it had components that were out of date. When I found this resource was free through the library, we signed him up. He completed 5 different certificates and was able to find a job! His employer mentioned that the certificates were what got him the job as it taught him the updated skills he needed. We wouldn’t have been able to complete courses without the library as we couldn’t afford it.

Learner from Fresno County

Last year, I had the opportunity to be a part of this program, and it greatly impacted my personal and professional growth. The courses I’ve taken are not just enhancing my skills but also positively affecting my community involvement.

Learner from Santa Clara City Library

I really appreciate you making the resources available for free. I work full time but I take classes basically every day for transitioning to a new career, so I really appreciate it that you make it all free and made the transitioning much easier for me.

Learner from Alhambra Civic Center Library

CAreer Pathways Resources Offered October 2022 – September 2024

Coursera

Coursera’s mission is to help individuals build the skills they need for in-demand jobs.

  • Provides learners with access to more than 5,000 courses and certifications led by top businesses, universities, and organizations.
  • Courses include: English for Business and Entrepreneurship (ESL), Foundations of Public Health Practice, Become an EMT, Bookkeeping Basics, Introduction to Google Docs, Design a Restaurant Menu, Food and Beverage Management, Branding: The Creative Journey.
  • Contains “Gateway Certification,” a program for people without a college degree and with no experience in the field, built by leading companies such as Google. Facebook, and Salesforce.
  • Offers subtitles in more than 50 languages

GetSetUp

GetSetUp Is a social learning platform for individuals 50+, taught by peers who are experts in their field.

  • Hosts live classes covering digital learning, physical health, mental health, social health, and vocational health.
  • Courses include: Introduction to Youtube, Get Started with Zoom, Common Scams and Frauds, Being the Best Grandparent Ever, Android Smartphone Security and Safety, TV Streaming Devices, Blue Zones – What Are They?
  • Offers live classes, social hours hosted by community members, and special events with speakers who directly address areas of interest to older adults.
  • Classes are taught in English, Spanish, Hindi and Mandarin.

Job & Career Accelerator

Job & Career Accelerator is an easy-to-use search tool with everything patrons and students need to find, apply for, and get hired into ideal positions.

  • Provides tools to create professional and competitive resumes and cover letters.
  • Features job and internship search engines matched to the user’s profile and needs.
  • Offers professional interview preparation and practice tools.
  • Includes occupation explorers to find the profession that suits the user’s wants and directs to the skills needed for chosen professions.
  • Contains college and scholarship finders.

LearningExpress Library

LearningExpress — Library Complete supports those looking to obtain occupational certification, prepare for college, find a job, become a U.S. citizen, and much more.

  • Assists in professional exam preparation, including the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), California Real Estate Salesperson exam, and the California Police Officer Exam.
  • Courses include: Exam prep in plumbing, air traffic control, law enforcement, EMT, firefighter, nursing, teaching, adult education in Spanish, college placement exam prep.
  • Supplies tools for earning a high school equivalency diploma in California.

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning focuses on the skills needed to land the most sought after jobs.

  • Provides professional certificates that can be added to a LinkedIn profile
  • Courses include: Pitching Yourself, Expert Tips for Answering Common Interview Questions, New Revenue Ideas for Food and Beverage Businesses, Construction Management: Technology on the Job Site
  • Includes a concentration on the “whole” person, emphasizing mental health and wellness resources, guidance for managing stress/burnout, and other items like “Balancing Work and Life as a Work-from-Home Parent”.
  • Contains critical soft skills training, such as resilience, team work, and time management.
  • Offers courses in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and four other languages.

Northstar

Northstar focuses on people with no, low, or limited technology skills

  • Build skills in key digital literacy areas and demonstrate knowledge by earning certificates and badges.
  • Courses include: Your Digital Footprint, Supporting K-12 Distance Learning, Email, Internet Basics, Information Literacy
  • Defines the basic skills needed to use a computer and the internet in daily life, employment, and higher education.
  • Online, self-guided assessments measure mastery of basic skills in 14 areas.
  • Classroom curricula provide detailed lesson plans for teachers, and can be used remotely or in person.

Skillshare

Skillshare is for creatives and others wanting to build or grow a business and/or learn new skills.

  • Provides 35,000 video courses on topics including entrepreneurship, graphic design, productivity, freelancing, marketing, illustration, and time management.
  • Courses include: Pricing Your Work and Negotiating with Clients, Etsy Launch: How to Open an Etsy Shop, Organizational Culture: How to Build an Inclusive Work Environment, Inclusive UX: Designing Websites for Everyone, and Starting a Successful Side Hustle
  • Skillshare’s short online classes help users find inspiration that fits their personal routine.

VetNow

VetNow is an all-in-one suite of services designed for a wide range of career and veteran needs.

  • Has access to live help and links for Navigating the Veterans Affairs system.
  • Navigators help veterans and their families understand and apply for the benefits they are eligible for from local, state, or federal programs.
  • Houses resources to support adjusting from military to a civilian career.
  • Helps veterans and their families prepare for college with a suite of academic tools. Live online tutoring in a variety of college level subjects is available, along with writing support, extensive video lessons, and comprehensive practice tests.

These platforms were supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.

California Library Literacy Services

California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) is a library-based literacy program that partners with adults to develop their literacy skills, achieve their learning goals, and utilize library services.

  • Provides no-cost adult literacy and ESL services. Learner-driven curriculum is based on best practices in adult education.
  • Supports adult learners to reach goals they set for lifelong learning, family life, the workplace, and community participation.
  • Learner goals may include mastering basic reading and writing skills, becoming a citizen, getting a better job, using technology, and more.
  • Adult learners can participate in one-to-one and small group tutoring with trained staff and volunteers, in person or virtually.
  • Libraries may also offer family literacy programs, co-designed by CLLS participants.

Start learning with California Library Literacy Services

Career Online High School

Career Online High School provides adults the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and career certificate at the same time.

  • Brings non-traditional and/or adult learners back into the educational system and prepares them for jobs in growing sectors of the economy.
  • Covers 18 credits in up to 18 months; students may receive credit for courses and or GED tests already completed. Most adults in California complete their diploma in about 12 months.
  • Students are paired with an academic coach, who provides the student with an individual career path, offers guidance, evaluates performance, and connects the student with the resources needed to master the courses.
  • Students graduate with the tools to take the next step in their careers or career education.

Start using Career Online High School

Other Job Resources for Californians