Linking Afterschool Programs to the Future of AI-Cybersecurity: A Collaborative Approach
LOS ANGELES, CA – The upcoming 2025 California AI-Cybersecurity Workforce Development and Education Summit, announced earlier, is not just a call to action for educational institutions and industry leaders but also a significant opportunity for afterschool programs, including those supported by Afterschool.org, to play a pivotal role in shaping the future workforce.
A Note from the Organizers
The objective of the Summit is to bring students, faculty, and employers together in one place to assist with the career readiness and college preparedness aspects of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. We seek to prepare and transition the workforce of the future through the education programs of today.
Empowering Youth Through Afterschool Programs:
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Early Exposure: Afterschool programs provide a unique platform for introducing students to the world of AI, cybersecurity, and IT at an age where curiosity and learning are at their peak. The summit’s initiatives align perfectly with AfterSchool.org’s mission to expand learning opportunities for youth outside of traditional school hours.
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Career Pathways: Afterschool programs can incorporate activities, workshops, and mentorship opportunities that familiarize youth with potential career paths in these cutting-edge fields. The summit’s focus on both academic and skills-based pathways underscores the importance of diverse learning methods available in afterschool settings.
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Breakout Sessions and Career Fairs: The summit’s breakout sessions, particularly “K-12 and Higher Education” and “How to get a job in IT-Cybersecurity-AI,” offer insights and resources that afterschool educators can leverage to design programs that not only educate but also inspire. The Career, Internship, and Apprenticeship Fair presents a direct link to real-world opportunities, which afterschool programs can highlight to their participants, fostering early connections with industry.
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Community Partnership: Afterschool.org and similar organizations can collaborate with the summit’s stakeholders, including the California Cybersecurity Task Force and educational bodies like LACCD and LAVC, to extend the reach of these educational initiatives into the community. This partnership can help in creating a seamless transition from afterschool activities to formal education and ultimately to careers in AI and cybersecurity.
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Developing Critical Skills: Afterschool programs are ideal for nurturing the soft skills alongside technical expertise—critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and digital literacy—all essential for success in AI and cybersecurity fields. The summit’s discussions on workforce development directly feed into the curriculum planning and activity design in afterschool settings.
Call to Action for Afterschool.org and Partners:
We invite afterschool program leaders, educators, and advocates from Afterschool.org’s Educational Collaborative to join us at the summit on February 28th at Los Angeles Valley College. This is an opportunity to learn, network, and bring back innovative ideas to your programs, ensuring that the youth of California are not just prepared for but are actively shaping the future of technology and security.
Please see the following registration link to attend the summit: https://forms.gle/UoGvTPBxSi8QbQSy6
This summit is not only about addressing current workforce gaps but also to inspire the next generation.
We look forward to working together to make this vision a reality.