New partnership to expand upon existing workforce initiatives

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that we are partnering with the College Board and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to expand upon our existing workforce initiatives. This partnership builds on the great work of the Minnesota Chamber Foundation’s statewide Business Education Network (BEN) partnerships and is intended to reach every student in Minnesota. 

Through this partnership, we will be promoting business and education collaboration and driving awareness of the AP Career Kickstart initiative, in hopes of integrating into high school classrooms across Minnesota. This coursework is intended to equip students with professional skills and business experience and industry-recognized credentials, helping bridge the gap between what high schools teach now and what tomorrow’s workforce demands.

Recent research emphasizes the urgency of this work: 84% of hiring managers say most high school students aren’t prepared for the workforce, and 92% believe there should be more business-course offerings in high school. 

Starting in the 2026-27 school year, these new courses (including AP Business, Personal Finance and Cybersecurity) will be available nationwide and focused on expanding high-growth industries such as health sciences. By working with employers, educators, and higher-education partners, the initiative ensures that what students learn aligns with real-world skills employers seek critical thinking, communication, collaboration, digital literacy, and industry credentials. 

Ways to get involved

If you’re interested in participating in this important initiative, we have a role for everyone:

• High-schools: Consider adopting one of the AP Career Kickstart courses in your curriculum.
• Employers: Join the growing network of nearly 400 employer endorsements and 75 local chambers across 40 states already supporting the initiative.
• Students and families: Learn more about how these courses can position you for multiple post-high-school options.
• Community partners: Help spread the word and support student access and success.