The program is designed to build a work-ready future workforce by emphasizing STEM-related industry-specific curricula in the classroom and work-based learning experience, including summer internships. NAF has created career academies in 620 high schools in high-need communities in the continguous United States and its territories since 1980. In one high-profile example, it partnered with United Technologies in 2020, launching two $3 million engineering academies in high schools in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. During the height of the pandemic in 2020, corporate partner Verizon created a virtual internship program to accommodate social distancing protocol for participants.