A New Kind of Learning
CAPS immerses students in real-world professional environments where they tackle actual business challenges, work on innovative projects, and collaborate with industry experts. This approach fosters critical thinking, effective communication, and adaptability— durable skills that are increasingly demanded in today’s job market.
Growth Beyond the Classroom
CAPS transforms students into young professionals, offering them opportunities to explore careers, discover passions, and build confidence. The results speak for themselves. Based on the CAPS Network Spring 2024 Survey: Over 90% of Cedar Falls CAPS associates reported that the program helped them understand professional expectations, and 85% felt more confident about their future career choices.
Why It Matters To Your Community
While CAPS does have a tremendous impact on individual growth; it’s also a powerful model for community and economic development. In the same Spring 2024 survey, an impressive 92% of Cedar Falls CAPS student-associates after finishing their CAPS experience were confident in their awareness of local career opportunities, up from 21% at the beginning. Additionally, CAPS is cost-effective because it leverages community resources—using local business spaces and facilities as host sites. This is critical for communities looking to recruit, develop, and retain talent. By connecting education directly to the needs of local industries, CAPS helps build a workforce that is ready to contribute and stay within the community, driving both innovation and long-term growth.
CAPS is not just an educational program; it’s a crucial investment in our future. By empowering students with real-world experiences and durable skills, we’re setting them up for lifelong success while also strengthening our communities by developing local talent.
Ethan Wiechmann is CF CAPS Director at Cedar Falls Community School District
Learn more by visiting www.CFCAPS.org
Text assisted using ChatGPT, August 8, 2024
