Business-Education Partnerships Caddo Career & Technology Center, the Career & Technical Magnet of Caddo Parish Schools, Shreveport, Louisiana

Partnership Philosophy  Ask for: time, input, expertise, access – all focused on student career prep/advancement  Give: win-win investment, time commitment needed, agenda, results, quality employees – all focused on workforce preparation/development

Key to Success: Employer Involvement  Serve on CTE curriculum advisory committees  Help design work-based learning program with progressive continuum of involvement  Set standards for student involvement with employers  Share concerns about workplace needs  Developed Critical Employability Skills

Key to Success: Employer Involvement  Provide ideas/judges for rigorous, project-based learning  Sponsor student recognition events  Celebrate teacher accomplishments  Donate training materials, equipment, etc.

Key to Success: Employer Involvement  Guest speakers  Student mentors  Field trip hosts  Teacher hosts: tours, job shadows, internships

Key to Success: Employer Involvement  Support CTSO student competitors to go to state and national compitions  Assist in planning Career Pathways  Present at Education Conferences  Judge Senior Projects, campus & state skill competitions, other student projects/work

Key to Success: Employer Involvement  Provide Job Shadow sites – 2 hours to 4 days  Serve as Clinical sites for healthcare students to acquire their hours required for industry- based certification

Key to Success: Employer Involvement  Critique students’ career portfolios and offer suggestions for improvement  Provide career counseling  Conduct mock interviews and provide interview and resume’ feedback

Key to Success: Employer Involvement  Offer Summer Internships for qualifying students  Receive awards for partnership success: CCTC’s AYES Business & Education Council was recognized as one of Louisiana’s 2007 Distinguished Partner’s In Education

Key to Success: Employer Involvement  Support school/student service learning projects  Provide materials and leadership  Showcase students as leaders to younger students

Key to Success: Employer Involvement  Participate in outreach efforts, such as:  8 th -Grade Tours  Job-College-Career Fairs  Open Houses  Back-to-School Nights  Summer Camps

Key to Success: Employer Involvement CCTC Foundation: Sponsor $1,500 scholarships for PS ed Sponsor ½ of IBC fees for students Community advocates for the school Lead partner in a home construction initiative across the street from the school

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” --Albert Einstein

Lesson Shared: “Employers control the most significant incentive influencing the performance of students: ACCESS TO JOBS!!” --Dr. Robert W. Glover

Presenter: Caddo Parish School Board: Gayle Flowers, Director Career, Adult & Alternative Education 1961 Midway Avenue Shreveport, LA O: (318) for “Site Development Guide #7: Business & Education” plus many other guiding publications