macmeske@ibjonline.com

Millions of students want more than just a high school diploma; they want the skills, experiences, and credentials required for their future careers.

Last fall, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and College Board announced their collaboration to bring new career-focused courses into high school classrooms across the nation. Unveiled during a lively From Classroom to Careers discussion held in Washington, D.C., the collaboration previewed new Advanced Placement® (AP®) Career Kickstart™ courses alongside new research confirming the demand from the workforce for entry-level readiness.

The joint study, The New Hire Readiness Report 2025: Insights from Hiring Managers on Entry-Level Workforce Preparedness, surveyed 500 hiring managers.

The findings reveal an urgent readiness gap:

84 percent of hiring managers say most high school students are not prepared to enter the workforce, and 80 percent believe today’s graduates are less prepared than previous generations.
Only 38 percent say it’s easy to find candidates with the right skills.
High school graduates with an industry-recognized credential are seen as far more prepared (71 percent vs. 40 percent).
94 percent prioritize critical thinking and problem-solving; 96 percent say financial literacy is essential for young professionals.
92 percent believe there should be more business courses in high school.

To help close this work-readiness gap, College Board is developing new AP Career Kickstart courses that are aligned with industry competencies, beginning with AP Business with Personal Finance and AP Cybersecurity. Both courses, AP Business with Personal Finance and AP Cybersecurity, will launch nationwide in fall 2026.

In the southwestern Illinois region, AP Business with Personal Finance will be coming to Bond County Community Unit School District 2.

Both courses have received endorsements from regional organizations and chambers of commerce including CyberUp in the St. Louis metro area, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce.

“The new AP Business with Personal Finance course is a powerful way to foster the next generation of business leaders,” said Suzanne P. Clark, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “We’re not only giving students a fundamental education on market principles, economics, and how business operates, we’re helping them understand the power of free enterprise to make lives better.”

“The message from America’s job creators is clear: We need to do more to equip students with the skills they need to succeed,” said Neil Bradley, EVP, chief policy officer and head of Strategic Advocacy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “By directly infusing business-centric skills and financial literacy into the high school curriculum, we are building a more competitive and job-ready workforce for the future.”

Students who complete the courses will be eligible to earn college credit and an employer-endorsed credential that opens doors for students interested in two- and four-year colleges, technical schools; apprenticeships; the military; or direct entry into the workforce. The challenging, college-level courses also are designed to build professional career skills and student confidence.

“Through this experience, I’ve learned that I can run a business,” said Lilly, a student who participated in the AP Business with Personal Finance field test. “At first, I was so self-conscious, constantly worrying—‘What if I mess this up? I don’t know what I’m doing.’ But now I feel confident and passionate about my work. It helped me realize what I’m capable of.”

“For decades, students have turned to AP to challenge themselves and get ahead in college,” said David Coleman, College Board CEO. “Now, we’re bringing that energy to career learning. Students want to do work that matters. Employers want to hire talent that’s ready. AP Career Kickstart brings those worlds together so every student can earn credentials that count for the future they choose.”

AP Career Kickstart courses are being shaped by educators and Industry Advisors including CompTIA, Oracle, IBM, U.S. Bank, and Sephora. College Board is actively welcoming additional industry advisors that represent employer needs. Nearly 300 employers and over 70 local chambers across more than 40 states have endorsed the courses, signaling real-world value to students.

“The most important takeaway for me is financial literacy,” said Joziah, a student from Massachusetts, of AP Business with Personal Finance. “Everyone needs to understand finance, because no matter who you are, you’ll have to deal with money. Whether it’s buying a home, getting a car, or just handling everyday expenses, this course really prepares you for that.”

To read the full “New Hire Readiness Report 2025” and learn more about the partnership, visit uschamber.org.

For more information about AP Career Kickstart, visit cb.org/apcareerkickstart.

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New AP business courses available to high schools in upcoming school year