A student-centered approach to education designed to support career readiness and success in life after high school, no matter what path they choose.
Outcomes-driven work-based learning enables students to define a path to achieve their dreams and build a plan to get there while developing the Future Ready Skills and professional connections needed for continued career success.
Only 13% of Gen Z students feel prepared to choose their path right after high school. At NAF, students explore their interests and discover careers that fit their goals. Through NAF’s Career Pathways, students identify career aspirations and create a plan to achieve them all while still in high school.
Today, 76% of all roles require candidates to be equipped with at least 1 durable skill, while nearly half call for three or more—a 13% increase since 2021. At NAF, we help students build what we call Future Ready Skills. Through hands-on learning and feedback from professionals, students strengthen the skills they need to succeed in the future.
70-80% of all jobs come through some form of professional connections, making networking skills essential for career success. NAF helps students grow their social capital by connecting them with industry professionals who guide, mentor, and support their journey.
Data sources: Aspirations – ECMC Group. (2023). Gen Z Students Have Changed Their Priorities for Education and Work.
Skills – America Succeeds. (2025). Durable by design: An update on the high demand for durable skills.
Connections – Fisher, J.F. (2020, Feb. 14) How to get a job often comes down to one elite personal asset, and many people still don’t realize it. CNBC Work
NAF’s suite of work-based learning tools make it easy for academies to track student progress towards 3 key outcomes. This expanded data also supports stronger planning and deeper engagement with advisory board members and partners.
In addition to these tools, NAF academies have access to the Academy Support Hub, offering exclusive career-focused curriculum and resources that help teachers guide students along career pathways.
