The School-To-Work Opportunities act of 1994 provides federal money to launch programs that ensure that high school and community college students get preparation to be productive in the workplace. The key to success of such programs is the creation of partnerships between our public education system and employers like you. The School-To-Work initiative gives you a chance to work with our local school system to prepare our youth for the world of work and for the work in your industry.
WANTED: HIGH SKILLS
As a employer, you need highly skilled workers
to be more profitable. The current shortage of skilled workers to
be more profitable. The current shortage of skilled workers in this
country is partly due to a dramatic change in America's workforce requirements.
PREPARATION: THE MISSING LINK
of every 100 U.S. high school graduates:
*43 will have completed college prep classes but only half will eventually
complete a four-year degree.
*12 will have completed a high school vocational education program.
*45 will have completed a general track diploma program of uncertain
focus, preparing them for nothing beyond high school.
With the exception of a few vocational students and the best motivated college prep students, most young people in the U.S. graduate from high school ill prepared for either work or college.
School-To-Work transition systems replace the skills vacuum with skills
preparation and help students move smoothly from secondary education into
good jobs, further education or both.
CONNECTING ACTIVITIES
Connecting schools and workplace does not happen naturally. It
requires a range of activities to integrate the worlds of school and work
to ensure that the student is not "the slender thread" that connects the
two. Connecting activities provide program coordination and administration;
integrate the worlds of school and business staff exchanges, for example;
provide student support, such as career counseling and college placement.