Link to Business to Make a Difference in

Making LI Students Ready to Work in the 21st Century!

HOW DOES AN EDUCATOR MAKE AN IMPACT ON WORKFORCE READINESS? 

The classroom teacher needs to incorporate two well documented instructional techniques:  Real world applications and assessment of mastery of knowledge. 

1.      Real world applications.  Begin each daily lesson with a link to the skill(s) the student will be learning and the application(s) to a career or the employment world.  For example, “Today we are reading and discussing supply and demand and how it affects the global economy.  We will be using your critical thinking skills to develop applications for the business world as an economist would do.”  

2.      Assessment of mastery of knowledge.  Starting today leave no student behind if they have not mastered the subject matter with a 90%+ accuracy.  Allow the student to perform numerous remedial exercises with the opportunity to re-take the assessment exercise until mastery has been achieved. 

Convince your students that this is the goal to achieve to insure career success.  A goal less than that is not acceptable in this highly competitive world.  The students around the globe work diligently to achieve this level. 

WHERE ARE THE RESOURCES FOR THE EDUCATOR? 

The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM www.shrmli.org) has nationally embraced this workforce readiness project.  Their members who are over 1000+ on LI alone are eager to help the educator and school district in the following ways: 

Building a Strong Academic Foundation 

• Assist with the applications of classroom curriculum to real world applications.

• Provide instructional materials.

• Assist in educating and motivating your students as to the changes in the global workforce.

• Provide leadership at your school district’s business advisory board. 

• Guest speak in classrooms or at PTA

• Conduct field trips at their worksites. 

Pre-Employment Knowledge and Tools 

• Present seminars on resume writing, job interview skills, corporate needs.

• Attend school career/employment fairs. 

• Become actively involved in conducting internships and other work-based learning programs.

 Share Real World Scenarios Related to 21st Century Job Success Skills: 

• Human Resource professionals have created job success skills scenarios which can be used in classroom instruction.  

• Application of skills and knowledge needed in entry level positions.

• Attitude/work ethic scenarios

• Global perspective, cultural diversity and sensitivity.

STEPS FOR THE EDUCATOR TO ACT UPON: 

1.      Begin to make changes in your delivery of instruction and assessment.

2.      Seek out the individual who is in charge of your school district’s advisory board.

3.      Seek out the work-based learning coordinator in your school building.

4.      Obtain classroom copies of the magazine Career Island which can be used with your students.

5.      For more information and activities visit the SHRM LI Workforce Readiness website at:  www.careersmarts.com.   

CONNECT HERE!