The Opportunity Trust Joins Bloomberg Philanthropies’ $90 Million National Initiative to Accelerate High School Students into High-Wage, In-Demand Trade Careers

The Opportunity Trust announced today that it is part of a new $90 million Bloomberg Philanthropies initiative to change how high school students prepare for and enter Registered Apprenticeships and high-wage, family-sustaining careers in the skilled trades. It is a first-of-its-kind national program exclusively for high schoolers, giving them a more direct path to career-ready certification and careers, and will launch in nine geographies, including St. Louis, where local data show that skilled trades jobs are hard to fill now and will keep growing for years to come.

Supported by $8 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the initiative in St. Louis will expand access to career-connected learning, technical training, industry credentials, and Registered Apprenticeship opportunities through Next Prep. The program is free for students and will focus on infrastructure-related fields, including electrical work, carpentry, construction, HVAC, welding, advanced manufacturing, and related skilled trades. 

It will launch in fall 2026 with 40 students and grow to serve 100 students annually by 2029. Students will earn industry-recognized credentials, gain direct exposure to employers, and build the technical and professional skills needed to succeed in Registered Apprenticeship programs while still in high school.

“One thing we really learned is how critical it is to have the sticky experiences alongside the conceptual learning,” said Riley Foster, Next Prep program director. “That is why we are leaning so heavily into apprenticeships and earn-and-learn opportunities. Students tell us how much they get out of hands-on learning, and our job is to create those kinds of opportunities across different types of work.”

The new initiative responds to both growing student interest in skilled trades careers and the rising national demand for qualified workers in these fields. Today, more than 100,000 skilled trades jobs in Missouri are unfilled. According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), Missouri is projected to see more than 2,000 annual job openings for carpenters, 1,600 for electricians, and 1,000 for plumbers and pipefitters. Construction is also projected to add more than 6,300 jobs by 2030, while manufacturing is expected to add more than 4,200. For students seeking high-demand, well-paying careers, the opportunity has never been greater.

“This isn’t just an education initiative; it’s an economic development strategy. We’re helping young people access high-wage, family-sustaining careers while helping employers solve one of their biggest challenges: finding qualified talent,” says Jesse Dixon, Partner for The Opportunity Trust. “Bloomberg Philanthropies’ investment allows us to bring schools, employers, and labor partners together to create direct pathways from the classroom to careers that are in high demand, hard to fill, and critical to the future growth of St. Louis.”

The Opportunity Trust will lead the St. Louis coalition through its Next Prep initiative, bringing together over 40 partners across sectors. Key collaborators include Civil Design Inc., Craftsmen Industries, Hoffman Brothers, Independent Electrical Contractors, Mid-America Carpenters Union, Quest Specialty Products, Seyer Industries, Streib Electric, True Manufacturing, Gateway Science Academy, Kairos Academies, University City High School, and St. Louis Community College. 

Together, these partners have built a rigorous, hands-on technical curriculum aligned to apprenticeship standards and modern job-site requirements. 

“We are boldly redefining what education can achieve with a transformative vision to create a modern, rigorous learning environment where every student—regardless of background—has the tools and opportunities to thrive,” said Dr. Sharonica L. Hardin-Bartley, Superintendent of the School District of University City.  “The potential unleashed through this partnership will set a new standard for our region, prioritizing the needs and aspirations of our most burdened students and ensuring their voices are at the heart of our progress.”

Bloomberg Philanthropies’ investment will support student transportation, career coaching, technical training, work-based learning experiences, industry-recognized credentials, apprenticeship preparation, employer engagement, and other supports designed to help students successfully transition from high school into Registered Apprenticeships and careers. 

“Millions of good-paying jobs are going unfilled, and too many students never get a chance to learn the skills necessary to get them. This new initiative will help change that,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies and three-term mayor of New York City. “By bringing schools, unions, and employers together as partners, we can offer students free training and credentials that lead directly to rewarding careers. Jobs in the skilled trades helped build America’s middle class, and now they can help a new generation enter and strengthen it.”

Bloomberg Philanthropies has been committed to creating sustainable, long-term models of workforce development and economic mobility. Since 2016, Bloomberg Philanthropies has supported innovative Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs around the country to create strong career opportunities in high-growth industries for over 300,000 students.  Students have gained relevant experience and recognized credentials through internships, apprenticeships, academics, and work-based learning. In 2024, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced the creation of high schools around the nation that pair public education systems and hospitals to directly graduate students into high-demand healthcare jobs with family-sustaining wages. This initiative is now in 13 communities.

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About The Opportunity Trust

The Opportunity Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing educational equity and excellence. Through strategic investments, policy advocacy, and innovative programs, The Opportunity Trust works to ensure that all students, regardless of background, have access to a high-quality education that prepares them for success in life. To learn more, visit theopportunitytrust.org.

About Next Prep

Next Prep is an initiative of The Opportunity Trust that connects high school students to career-connected learning, employer partnerships, industry-recognized credentials, and direct pathways into high-demand careers including skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare. Supported by a new $8 million Bloomberg Philanthropies investment, Next Prep is expanding Registered Apprenticeship opportunities for students in St. Louis beginning in the 2026-27 school year.

About Bloomberg Philanthropies

Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2025, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $4.3 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, Facebook, and X.

Contact: Jordyn Elston, The Opportunity Trust: jelston@theopportunitytrust.org

Rachel Nagler, Bloomberg Philanthropies: racheln@bloomberg.org

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