The WNET Group leads CPB-funded public media initiative
PITTSBURGH – WQED is one of 10 public media stations nationwide selected to create digital career-focused videos on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and other social media platforms to help connect young people aged 13 to 18 with potential careers in the next chapter of the American Graduate public media initiative. American Graduate: Jobs Explained is led by The WNET Group and funded by a $3.2 million grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). American Graduate: Jobs Explained focuses on digital content developed by, with and for youth, and shared on social media platforms to help young people stay inspired, commit to continued education and training, and explore potential careers.
After the economic upheaval caused by the pandemic and the Great Resignation, educational institutions and American employers alike are considering how to best prepare the next generation of students for careers. Through American Graduate: Jobs Explained, public media stations will work with local youth to produce social media videos on careers in specific industries. WQED is producing videos about the cybersecurity industry available on TikTok (@cyberjobs_explained) and Instagram (@cyberjobs_explained) with #JobsExplained and tailored hashtags. WQED is working with cybersecurity professionals across the region to guide the content focus and provide key insights into the industry.
“We are honored to be chosen as one of 10 stations nationally for the American Graduate: Jobs Explained project. Since 2018, WQED has taken a multi-media approach to Pittsburgh’s changing workforce needs with our Future Jobs initiative. We are proud to add this project into our workforce development portfolio,” said Lilli Mosco, WQED Interim Co-COO. “The cybersecurity industry is prevalent in Pittsburgh, and we’re excited to bring it to the forefront.”
The WNET Group, which is leading the national American Graduate: Jobs Explained effort, worked with CPB to select and collaborate with the 10 stations. Each will create original digital videos about in-demand, lucrative and civic-minded careers in industries like manufacturing, healthcare, green transformation, trades, information technology and hospitality. The goal is to not only improve the economy, but also build stronger, informed and more civic-minded communities.
The full list of stations, along with their career-focused industry, are:
- WFSU – Tallahassee, FL – @HealthcareJobs_Explained
- OETA – Oklahoma City, OK – @AerospaceJobs_Explained
- WCNY – Syracuse, NY – @IndustrialJobs_Explained
- Maine Public – Lewiston, ME – @GreenJobs_Explained
- Idaho PTV – Boise, ID – @ConstructJobs_Explained
- Ideastream Public Media – Cleveland, OH – @ShippingJobs_Explained
- WHUT – Washington, DC – @TravelJobs_Explained
- Detroit Public Television – Wixom, MI – @TechJobs_Explained
- Alaska Public Media – Anchorage, AK – @TransportJobs_Explained
- WQED – Pittsburgh, PA – @CyberJobs_Explained
“CPB’s support of the American Graduate initiative helped to increase the high school graduation rate, and now our support of American Graduate: Jobs Explained will help young people discover and prepare for meaningful jobs and careers,” said Patricia Harrison, President and CEO of CPB. “American Graduate: Jobs Explained will connect with students through social media to highlight career paths in their communities.”
The WNET Group will curate and manage the national American Graduate: Jobs Explained social media accounts, produce a professional development series, and assemble National Business Advisory and National Youth Advisory meetings, among other activities. American Graduate: Jobs Explained will also have a project website, providing a central hub for information about the work, as well as resources for young job seekers. Station partners will convene local business advisory and youth advisory groups and lead in-person or virtual community events, such as educator workshops or job trainings.
About WQED
WQED was an experiment in educational community-supported television that was the forerunner to PBS. Today, WQED is a multimedia powerhouse that is as much a part of Pittsburgh as the three rivers. WQED is WQED-TV (PBS); WQED World; WQED Create; WQED Showcase; WQED PBS KIDS Channel; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; the Pittsburgh Concert Channel at WQED-HD2 (89.3-2FM) and online; streaming and apps, and WQED Interactive.
WQED is a premier leader in broadcast and digital video production, producing socially relevant, historical, arts, entertainment and educational programming resources. WQED’s Learning Neighborhood model creates an education continuum dedicated to serving our youngest neighbors through Ready To Learn programming, while engaging high school students learning filmmaking and exploring employment opportunities through the WQED Film Academy.
About CPBThe Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private, nonprofit corporation authorized by Congress in 1967, is the steward of the federal government’s investment in public broadcasting. It helps support the operations of more than 1,500 locally managed and operated public television and radio stations nationwide. CPB is also the largest single source of funding for research, technology and program development for public radio, television, and related online services. For more information, visit cpb.org, follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn and subscribe for other updates.
About The WNET Group
The WNET Group creates inspiring media content and meaningful experiences for diverse audiences nationwide. It is the community-supported home of New York’s THIRTEEN – America’s flagship PBS station – WLIW21, THIRTEEN PBSKids, WLIW World and Create; NJ PBS, New Jersey’s statewide public television network; Long Island’s only NPR station WLIW-FM; ALL ARTS, the arts and culture media provider; newsroom NJ Spotlight News; and FAST channel PBS Nature. Through these channels and streaming platforms, The WNET Group brings arts, culture, education, news, documentary, entertainment and DIY programming to more than five million viewers each month. The WNET Group’s award-winning productions include signature PBS series Nature, Great Performances, American Masters and Amanpour and Company and trusted local news programs MetroFocus and NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi. Inspiring curiosity and nurturing dreams, The WNET Group’s award-winning Kids’ Media and Education team produces the PBS KIDS series Cyberchase, interactive Mission US history games, and resources for families, teachers and caregivers. A leading nonprofit public media producer for more than 60 years, The WNET Group presents and distributes content that fosters lifelong learning, including multiplatform initiatives addressing poverty, jobs, economic opportunity, social justice, understanding and the environment. Through Passport, station members can stream new and archival programming anytime, anywhere. The WNET Group represents the best in public media. Join us.