Workforce Development & Leadership Pathways

The I Can Scholarship Foundation Inc. delivers a comprehensive Workforce Development & Leadership Pathways Program designed to prepare opportunity youth, including at-risk and court-involved individuals, for sustainable employment, postsecondary education, and career advancement. This program pathway combines evidence-based leadership development, career readiness training, and education re-engagement strategies to create clear pathways toward economic mobility and long-term success.

Program Model

Our program is grounded in the TOPUCU framework, an evidence-informed model that emphasizes personal accountability, behavior change, and self-leadership, all critical predictors of workforce success.

Through structured implementation, participants build:

• Accountability and ownership of personal and professional outcomes 
• Consistent decision-making aligned with long-term goals 
• Self-discipline and workplace readiness behaviors 
• Leadership capacity applicable to employment and community settings 

TOPUCU is embedded across all program components to reinforce mindset development alongside skill acquisition, ensuring participants are both work-ready and life-ready.

Based on funding availability, ICSF will sponsor participants annually to enroll in the I Can Scholarship Foundation High School Completion Program Powered by Penn Foster.

Participants receive:

• Full scholarship support for tuition 
• Individualized academic coaching and progress monitoring 
• Structured timelines and accountability check-ins 
• Integration with ICSF’s 8-Week Career Readiness Training Program 
• Ongoing mentorship grounded in the TOPUCU evidence-based framework 

Participants are simultaneously enrolled in ICSF’s 8-Week Career Readiness Training Program, ensuring they graduate with both a diploma and the skills necessary to enter and succeed in the workforce.

Training includes:

• Resume development and job application support 
• Mock interviews and professional communication 
• Workplace etiquette and job retention skills 
• Financial literacy, budgeting, and goal setting 
• Digital literacy and workforce technology skills 

The program is designed to directly connect education to employment. Participants will be supported in transitioning to:

• Employment opportunities 
• Internships or apprenticeships 
• Postsecondary education or technical training programs 

• 5–10 participants annually will enroll in the program 
• Increased high school diploma attainment among disconnected youth 
• Participants will demonstrate measurable gains in career readiness and employability skills 
• Graduates will transition into employment, education, or workforce training pathways 
• Reduced long-term barriers to economic mobility and self-sufficiency 

Prepare for success in the workforce with our 8-week career training program, designed to build essential skills and confidence. Each week focuses on CWDP-aligned competencies, including:

• Employability: Goal setting, self-assessment, professional responsibility 
• Workplace Skills: Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management 
• Employer Engagement: Networking, interview readiness, and building relationships with employers 

Gain hands-on experience, develop real-world skills, and be ready to enter the workforce with confidence.