1. The of a Successful Workforce Readiness Program

2. Creating Communities that Work. Advancing the profession of Human Resource Management. Building a strategic alliance between business and education.

3. n SHRM realizes the importance and the growing impact of workforce readiness in all facets of business, industry, community and education n SHRM realizes the importance and the growing impact of workforce readiness in all facets of business, industry, community and education. n Over 70 million “baby boomers” will retire over the next decade. The economy is picking up and companies are hiring. HR professionals are seeing applicants with huge skill gaps trying to enter or re-enter the workforce. n Workforce Readiness includes the preparation of a qualified workforce through the public schools, vocational and technical colleges, adult education opportunities, remedial employee training, and continuing professional development. Such efforts mandate collaboration between business/industry, local, state, and national government, educators, and the local community. n Helping to facilitate the successful collaboration of these stakeholders is the focus of the Workforce Readiness Core Leadership Area. Workforce Readiness

5. Benefits for the Student n Connects students to the “real” world of work n Promotes independent learning and higher-level skills such as interpersonal and team communications n Offers student the opportunity to find employment in industry and service fields that require higher-level skills Bottom line: Greater Opportunity Bottom line: Greater Opportunity

6. Benefits for Education n Opportunity to share education successes n Shared Community and Industry involvement in Education Reform n Greater access to valuable teaching resources n Development of curriculum that is directly relevant to career placement and employment success

7. Benefits for the Community n Increase the quality of community life through school system improvement n Higher standard of living n Stronger economic and tax base n Greater ability to attract and sustain industry and business n Stronger community - education - industry relationships

8. Benefits for Business n Improved interpersonal and entry-level skills n Reduced training and remediation costs n Increased productivity n Reduced employee turnover n Effect a better match between current and future job market needs and the career awareness and workforce skills of high school graduates

9. Benefits for HR Professionals n Tight labor markets, rapid business growth, and rising turnover have forced HR staffs to devote themselves to finding and attracting qualified employees. 83% of HR executives surveyed in 2004 listed recruitment, selection, and placement among their top three priorities for 2005. 83% of HR executives surveyed in 2004 listed recruitment, selection, and placement among their top three priorities for 2005.

10. Getting Started n Inventory and Assess your Internal Resources n Determine your Organization’s Commitment level n Determine potential program Collaborators and Support Network Personnel Personnel Expertise Expertise Financial and / or Physical Resources Financial and / or Physical Resources Long-range commitment Long-range commitment Short-term support or sponsorship of a program / activity Short-term support or sponsorship of a program / activity Congruence between Organization objectives and Educational goals Congruence between Organization objectives and Educational goals Internal support network; volunteers, management, project “manager” Internal support network; volunteers, management, project “manager” Community agencies; Chambers, Economic Development, PTA, etc. Community agencies; Chambers, Economic Development, PTA, etc. School Board, Superintendent, Principals, Teachers (Unions), Parents School Board, Superintendent, Principals, Teachers (Unions), Parents Other Businesses Other Businesses

11. Getting Started n Determine the most Strategic use of all Internal and External Resources n Develop a Strategic Alliance between all members of your Support Network Where can your program make the most significant impact Where can your program make the most significant impact How can you maximize the collaborative effort while minimizing How can you maximize the collaborative effort while minimizing redundancy and waste redundancy and waste What are the goals and objectives of the program; WHY are you What are the goals and objectives of the program; WHY are you choosing THIS effort choosing THIS effort Planning Planning Communication; Business vs. Educational culture and jargon Communication; Business vs. Educational culture and jargon Develop a Shared Mission and Vision Statement Develop a Shared Mission and Vision Statement Expectations; Everyone understands each others goals and Expectations; Everyone understands each others goals and objectives objectives Determine your Alliance structure Determine your Alliance structure