1. Teachers in the World of Work Developing business focused learning units and collaborations that enrich the Career Academy experience and create successful students and viable employees. Our aim:

2. What were expectations before visits to business partners? “I have been in education for 20 years. I went to gather an understanding of the business world and how the Career Academy and businesses could work together for the benefit of our staff and students- the future workforce.”

3. Sites visited. Lockheed Martin Byrne Dairy/ Ultra-Dairy Gutchess Lumber Clear Channel Communication Babbit Bearings Laboratory Alliance of Central New York National Grid

4. What was the biggest Ah-Ha from visits? Businesses are not looking for “content knowledge.” They are looking for 21 st Century Skills and the “SOFT SKILLS” that influence attitudes…

5. Business partners seek employees with many attributes…

6. Desired Attributes Productivity and Responsibility Goal Orientation Time Managemen t Attention to Detail Independent Thinking Trouble- shooting and problem solving Punctuality Organization Communication Proper Grammar Writing Skills Word Processing Presentation Skills Database and Spreadsheet Management Soft Skills Teamwork Flexibility Innovation Honesty Initiative Acceptance of Diversity Negotiation and Compromise Perseverance Empathy

7. How can the Career Academy foster these skills? The Ideal Employee- The Ideal Student Productivity and Responsibility Communicatio n Skills Soft Skills

8. Desired Attribute: The Soft Skills Leadership and Lifeskills Crew (LLC) The goal of LLC is for students to see self- value and to carry over their LLC experiences to school, to their career path and to everyday life through the application of leadership and service.

9. What skills are being used by these students?

10. Lockheed Martin engineers at a leadership training. What do you think they walked away from this experience with?

11. Service to Others “Operation Southern Comfort”- Collaboration with Construction Trades experts and the Home Depot.

12. Desired Attribute: Communication Skills

13. Career Portfolio / Preparation Developed Small Business Entrepreneurial Proposal. Contacted local businesses: wrote business letters and used professional telephone skills. Developed resumes and participated in mock interviews. All students will read the book 10 Things Employers Want You to Learn in College.

14. Presentations and Public Speaking Election Unit with Clear Channel Communication and the Syracuse Post- Standard

15. More Presentations and Public Speaking The Great American Smoke-out interview with WAER Twisted movie trailer judged by the author, Laurie Halse Anderson

16. School Award Banquet Seniors have planned an event for 300-plus people. Students worked with Wegman’s and other businesses.

17. More we have done Implemented a weekly Career- Ready Dress day. Career Clothing Closet seniors solicited donations for, and operate the “Closet” to provide business- ready dress for students.

18. Desired Attribute: Productivity and Responsibility How do we get it?

19. Providing relevance is key to engaging students. To best benefit our students, your future workforce, our collective aim is to provide students an opportunity for real- life application of skills.

20. Utilize Expert Business Partners Experts in the classroom (or in the field) are powerful tools for teachers. The Business Partners present a vast pool of experts to bring true working knowledge and workplace relevance to Career Academy students.

21. Laboratory Alliance of CNY Through the CTE Program for laboratory technicians students work authentically in the field and in the classroom. Lab tech students have worked with the staff from Lab Alliance. Lab tech student dressed for Career-ready Dress day.

22. Partnering with Lockheed Martin Student intern, Kiki, was recruited for her math and people skills. Soft Skills were emphasized with a job coach. Composting project interfaced with school recycling program. Other collaborations are being developed. Meaningful, relevant and it reinforces Science Standards.

23. What will be the outcome? Collaboration on relevant projects between the Career Academy, the business community and CTE will empower students to develop as valued, equal, responsible members of society.

24. How do we get this… The Career Academy CTE Programs Business Partners

25. …to become this? The Career Academy CTE Programs Business Partners For the benefit of all.