EXP - The opportunity engine

EXP prepares students for a better life. Our programs help young people gain experience, unlock doors and build the confidence they need to succeed in school, career and life.

EXP – The Opportunity Engine was founded in 1999 by maritime industry leaders and a former Port of Los Angeles Harbor Commissioner with a bold belief: when education and industry work together, young people—especially those historically overlooked—can access meaningful and lasting opportunity.

From its earliest days, EXP recognized that a rapidly changing economy required a new model of education—one grounded in real-world experience, industry relevance, and equitable access. What began as a single academy serving students at Phineas Banning High School in Wilmington has evolved into a regional workforce development engine serving thousands of students each year.

Today, EXP connects approximately 6,000 students annually across 13 schools and 20 unique industry pathways across Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Orange Counties to career-connected learning, mentorship, and paid work experiences—opening doors students may not have known existed.

Over 25 years, EXP has become a trusted convener and catalyst, uniting K–12 education, postsecondary partners, employers, and civic leaders to reimagine how talent is developed. In Orange County, this work includes signature convenings such as the Annual Power Breakfast and regional partnerships launched in 2022 to strengthen Career Technical Education and aligned career pathways.

With a dedicated team of 16 full-time staff and the support of more than 400 volunteer industry professionals, EXP proudly celebrates 25 years of impact—fueling opportunity, advancing equity, and empowering young people to envision and build their future.

Taking Root in Orange County

EXP – The Opportunity Engine’s pathway-based model is taking root in Orange County, demonstrating both strong student demand and meaningful workforce alignment. What began as a pilot serving just 65 students has grown to more than 500 students across Santa Ana and Tustin Unified School Districts — a remarkable 679% increase in reach.

Through career pathways in Biomedical, Visual Imagery, Engineering, and Information Technology, students are actively engaging in EXP’s integrated 4E model: Exploration, Expression, Experience, and Expansion. These pathways are intentionally aligned with Orange County’s labor market needs, helping bridge the gap between classroom learning and high-growth career opportunities.

Key outcomes underscore this momentum. In the past year, 120 Orange County students completed career readiness certification — a 193% increase — equipping them with the professional and durable skills needed to succeed in internships and early employment. Additionally, 19 students participated in paid internships, representing 217% growth and marking a critical step toward EXP’s goal of expanding equitable access to paid work-based learning.

Together, these results demonstrate that EXP’s model is not only expanding — it is delivering measurable progress toward building a stronger, more inclusive talent pipeline in Orange County.

Strategic Goals (2025–2026)

Building on this strong foundation, EXP is focused on deepening and scaling impact in Orange County during FY 2025–2026:

1. Expand Student Reach
Increase the number of Orange County students served beyond 500 by deepening partnerships in Santa Ana and Tustin Unified and exploring additional district expansion opportunities.

2. Grow Paid Internship Access
Significantly increase the number of Orange County students participating in paid internships, with a focus on high-demand sectors including biomedical, healthcare, engineering, and technology.

3. Strengthen Career Readiness Pipeline
Continue scaling career readiness certification to ensure more students are prepared to successfully transition into internships, postsecondary education, and early career opportunities.

4. Deepen Employer Engagement in OC
Expand industry partnerships to ensure pathways remain tightly aligned with regional workforce needs and provide students with meaningful exposure to real employers.

5. Build Sustainable Regional Infrastructure
Invest in staffing, data systems, and partnership development to support long-term growth and measurable outcomes in Orange County.

Orange County students — particularly those in under-resourced communities — continue to face gaps in access to paid work-based learning, industry exposure, and the professional networks that lead to high-opportunity careers. While the region is experiencing growth in high-demand sectors such as biomedical, healthcare, logistics, and emerging technologies, many young people remain disconnected from clear, supported pathways into these fields.

EXP – The Opportunity Engine addresses this challenge through a structured continuum of career-connected learning that moves students from early exposure to hands-on experience and postsecondary transition support. In FY 2025–2026, EXP is investing $453,796 in Orange County programming and staffing to expand equitable access to these opportunities.

EXP’s Orange County investments are aligned to its 4E student success model:

Experience (41%) — $186,056: Expands paid internships and work-based learning that allow students to earn while they learn and gain real-world skills.

Exploration (36%) — $163,367: Provides career awareness, industry exposure, and early pathway activation experiences.

Expression (13%) — $58,993: Builds essential career readiness and durable skills through mock interviews, resume development, and project-based learning.

Expansion (10%) — $45,380: Supports postsecondary transition, internship-to-career navigation, and early alumni engagement.

This Orange County investment is part of EXP’s broader FY 2025–2026 program strategy totaling $1,955,817 across Los Angeles County, Barstow/Mojave, and Orange County. With Orange County representing 24% of total program investment, EXP is intentionally deepening its presence in the region to meet growing student demand and strengthen employer-aligned talent pipelines.

Continued investment will enable more Orange County students — regardless of background — to gain paid experience, build confidence, and successfully transition into high-road, high-wage career pathways.

EXP serves Southern California, including Orange, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino Counties.

Twenty-five years ago, we set out to change futures—today, those futures are changing the world.

From a single classroom to an entire ecosystem, EXP has been a catalyst for change. Our work has transformed how schools collaborate, how employers engage, and how communities invest in their young people.

During the 2024–2025 school year, we witnessed students step into new careers, find their voice and identity, build confidence, and take bold steps toward futures they once could hardly imagine.

Curiosity became clarity. Hope became purpose. Dreams took flight.

As the future of work evolves, so will EXP. We remain committed to strengthening real-world learning in schools, expanding mental well-being support, and deepening partnerships that prepare young people for tomorrow's careers and opportunities.

We honor the countless visionaries, educators, partners, and champions who came before us,
who believed in this work when it was still just a dream. We celebrate those who stand with us today — board members, staff, donors, volunteers, families, alumni, and industry leaders — who make this mission real every day. And we look ahead, confident that future leaders will carry this work even further.

To those who built this foundation, those who walk alongside us today, and those who will lead the next chapter—thank you. Your belief in young people and in this shared vision continues to transform lives, schools, and communities.

With deep gratitude and excitement for 2026,

Mary