Vector Solutions Acquires PATHWAYos to close the skills gap for students entering the workforce

Acquisition empowers Vector Solutions to connect industry customers with expertly trained talent

TAMPA, FL, October 24, 2023 – Vector Solutions, the leading provider of training and software solutions dedicated to helping schools make their communities safer, smarter, and better, today announced it has acquired PATHWAYOS, the leading platform for connecting K-12 schools and students to work-based learning opportunities. The acquisition expands Vector Solution’s footprint at the intersection of education and industry with a move into the Career and Technical Education (CTE) market. The transaction brings together two companies passionate about providing best-in-class technology to support building a stronger and more successful workforce.  

As the lines between education and employment increasingly blur, Vector Solutions and PATHWAYOS  aim to support students on their chosen career paths and bridge the gap between education and workforce-ready skills. Today, Vector Solutions provides skills and safety training to over 2,000 industry customers, who use that training to ensure their workforce has the necessary skills to perform their jobs effectively. Together with PATHWAYOS career-connected learning software, Vector Solutions will be able to offer CTE courses, industry-recognized credentials, and safety training content to K-12 students, districts, intermediaries, state agencies, and colleges. In the future, Vector Solutions plans to use the  PATHWAYOS platform to connect its industry customers with trained talent, supporting customers in addressing skills gaps and labor shortages by providing a direct ‘skills-based’ talent pipeline. 

“Our acquisition of PATHWAYOS reaffirms our commitment to helping students excel on their chosen career paths,” said Jonathan Cherins, Chief Executive Officer of Vector Solutions. “The combined power of our offerings will serve to bridge the skills gap between students seeking more training, work-based learning opportunities and industry customers looking to build a skilled workforce.” 

PATHWAYOS was established in 2017 with a mission to unlock work-based learning opportunities for all. Its mission is to change how students view their options, how educators see their workload, and how the industry considers its growing talent pool. Work-based learning (WBL) prepares students for the job market and helps build a pipeline of skilled workers, all while lowering recruitment and training costs for employers, and expanding economic development in local communities. The company’s WBL programs have impacted over 800,000 students across 2,000 schools in 30 states, leading to more than three million work-based learning hours logged. 

“Joining forces with Vector Solutions catapults  us to an ambitious new era, where we can serve as an unrivaled catalyst for Career and Technical Education, ” said Cecilia Retelle Zywicki, CEO of PATHWAYOS. “Our aim is nothing short of empowering students at scale by unlocking paths towards the future they want, and granting access to economic mobility that often is reserved for an exclusive subset of students.Together, we aspire to impact countless students, breaking barriers between education and the workforce, and reshaping the landscape.” 

Vector Solutions serves over 24 thousand customers and 31 million end users across the Education, Commercial, and Public Sector markets. With an increased focus on CTE, Vector Solutions will accelerate its presence in this critical market. The company will support students no matter what path they choose to take into the workforce and enable industry customers to access a pipeline of skilled talent. Post acquisition, PATHWAYOS  will be a product under a new business unit within Vector focused on CTE. The combined expertise and resources will strengthen Vector Solution’s CTE offerings and solidify its position as a leader in the industry. 

About Vector Solutions 

Vector Solutions is the leading provider of impactful technology solutions dedicated to driving safer, smarter, better decision-making in the world’s most critical industries. Embedded into daily workflows to drive improvements in compliance, safety, performance, and preparedness, our software includes training management, industry-focused online course libraries, EHS management, workforce scheduling, risk communication, operational readiness, and more. Vector’s unique combination of information and technology – delivered when and where it is needed – is integral to our more than 34 thousand clients looking to achieve better outcomes and safeguard lives. Vector is committed to providing resources to support those who need them most and launched a collection of free courses on critical mental health and safety topics through Vector Cares. For more information, visit www.vectorsolutions.com. For access to free Vector Cares courses visit https://www.vectorsolutions.com/about-us/vector-cares/.

About Vector Solutions for K-12 Education
Vector Solutions for K-12 Education is a leading provider of training, software and professional development solutions committed to creating safer, smarter and better school environments. Trusted by more than 5,000 K-12 districts in the United States, Vector’s award-winning suite of products save administrators time, improve compliance, and streamline administrative processes. Vector trainings on imperative topics like safety and compliance; inclusive instruction; mental health and well-being; diversity, equity and inclusion; and cybersecurity enable students and teachers alike to make schools safer, more inclusive, and more effective places to work and learn. For more information about Vector Solutions for K-12 Education, visit www.vectorsolutions.com/k12. 

About PathwayOS
PATHWAYos® is the innovative software at the center of all career-connected learning. School districts, states, and career centers can now collaborate with businesses to expand work-based learning programs. The software streamlines processes while allowing partners to provide numerous opportunities that enhance the development of skills required by the workforce of the future. The world-class platform is quickly becoming a household requirement for innovative school districts.

For more information, visit https://pathwayos.com/.