The Siemens Foundation is expanding its STEM Middle-Skill Initiative with the addition of two partner companies that will help to advance the development of skills needed for young adults in jobs requiring science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Middle-skill jobs typically require strong technical skills and a two-year degree.The new partners are: The Center to Advance CTE, an affiliate organization of Advance CTE, a non-profit that represents leaders responsible for secondary, postsecondary and adult Career Technical Education (CTE) across all 50 states and U.S. territories; and New America, a nonpartisan think tank committed to the renewal of American politics, prosperity and purpose in the digital age.

The Center to Advance CTE will support states and communities in their efforts to attract and recruit students into high-quality career technical education programs. The center will work at the state and local level in four states to find a message that resonates with students and parents, as well as provide supports to states as they identify, implement and evaluate strategies for student recruitment into high-quality programs that lead to college and career success. The four participating states will be announced in early 2017.

Meanwhile, the Center on Education and Skills at New America will develop evidence-based research on what works and what doesn’t when it comes to apprenticeships for high school students in the U.S.

Middle-skill jobs typically require strong technical skills and a two-year degree, occupational license or certification. Such jobs, particularly in high-demand STEM fields, often pay salaries upwards of $50,000 after two years or less of higher education and tend to come with a smaller student debt load than four-year degree programs.

The Siemens Foundation has invested more than $90 million in the United States to advance workforce development and education initiatives in science, technology, engineering and math.