Skills-based education is a critical piece of developing today’s – and tomorrow’s – workforce. Many high school students graduate without personal finance education or fundamental business knowledge to prepare them to live on their own, make informed decisions about their future, and even start their own business.
To help bring these crucial workforce-ready skills to high school students, the San Diego Regional Chamber is working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to promote Advanced Placement Career Kickstart: Business Principles/Personal Finance, a groundbreaking new AP course from the College Board that will be offered to high school students nationwide starting in the 2026-27 school year. With millions of jobs unfilled due to a growing skills gap, this course will help students make informed choices and enter the workforce with confidence.
This virtual event will provide an overview of how the course is designed to equip high school students with essential business and personal finance skills—critical tools for success in today’s fast-changing economy.
Chamber members are invited to discover how they can support and connect with this initiative—from shaping real-world learning experiences to identifying emerging talent.
Featured Speaker: Clare Bertrand
Clare Bertrand is the Executive Director of Career Strategy and Employer Partnerships at College Board, leading efforts to develop industry and employer partnerships that align education with workforce needs. For over two decades, Clare has worked to bridge education and career, with a focus on leveraging policy, practice, and technology to expand economic mobility for young adults. Clare has an M.S.Ed. in Education Entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania.