“My view in bringing the Greater Cleveland Career Consortium here is that I think that the sooner the students start thinking about what their strengths are and what skills they possess and how those skills might translate into employability skills the better,” Superintendent Keith Ahearn said.

The PACE program -- which stands for planning and career exploration -- launched in 2021 and is set to receive $2.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act money from Cleveland, after city council approved legislation on the matter Monday evening.

Mayor Justin Bibb announced Monday his plans to use $40 million in COVID-19 stimulus funds for a series of programs, including education, workforce development and improving Opportunity Corridor.