KLRU receives grant for career readiness initiative

KLRU has received a grant of $191,790 from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for the American Graduate: Getting to Work initiative, which aims to help advance local career readiness and education. “KLRU is pleased to receive funding to help raise awareness around workforce issues,” CEO Bill Stotesbery said in the press release. “The area’s workforce issues are critical as presented in the recent Austin Metro Area Master Community Workforce Plan. Austin’s booming economy presents many opportunities and challenges. KLRU can help advance the Plan by amplifying the work of the organizations currently in this space and by raising the visibility of Austin’s existing resources and strategic initiatives available to jobseekers.” The American Graduate initiative was launched in 2011 with the goal of improving the country’s dropout rate. The initiative was a large success and is credited for raising the high school graduation rate to 84 percent, which is an all-time high for the nation. Getting to Work is the second phase of this initiative, in which the station will “work with partners in Central Texas to assess workforce challenges and opportunities, and produce content focused on the essential skills needed for students and workers to succeed in the job markets of today and tomorrow.” Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo said, “I applaud KLRU’s continued commitment to promoting education and career readiness. The American Graduate initiative will help amplify our community’s ongoing efforts to ensure that Austinites of different backgrounds and skill levels all have the ability to experience prosperity and economic opportunity.”