Building Occupational Skills for Success
A national initiative preparing students for work, entrepreneurship, and community leadership through project-based CTE education.
The BOSS Network develops and implements the BOSS Program nationwide, forging partnerships between schools, employers, workforce agencies, and community leaders. Our mission is to prepare young people for meaningful careers, equip them for entrepreneurship, and strengthen local communities through practical, connected, and engaging workforce education.
The BOSS Program
The BOSS Program transforms high school classrooms into real-world workplaces. Through four project-based units, students develop branding campaigns, launch simulated franchises, and design original businesses—gaining employability skills, industry credentials, and direct connections to local employers. BOSS is a CTE Launchpad, a workforce pipeline, and a community-building strategy all in one.
The BOSS Network
The BOSS Network is the nonprofit behind the program—developing the curriculum, supporting implementation, and sustaining the community partnerships that power student success. We build and manage a coalition of employers, entrepreneurs, workforce agencies, and civic leaders who mentor students, support projects, and connect them to real job opportunities.
Restaurants and Retail
Restaurants and retail provide the largest and most accessible on-ramp for teen employment in the United States—and they are powerful gateways to management and entrepreneurship. BOSS helps students enter these industries with confidence, industry-recognized credentials, and strong soft skills.
Andrew Culp, Pita Pit Owner, BOSS Franchise Project Partner