Partners in Business and Education
Establishing the connection between learning and earning is the key to developing Schenectady County's future workforce.
The Business & Education Partnership offers a unique approach to bridging the gap between business and education. Established in 1990, the Partnership includes all seven county school districts, Schenectady County Community College, Capital Region BOCES, Northeast Parent and Child, businesses and community organizations.
Through a cooperative relationship, the partnership strives to identify the needs of all partners and find solutions to their mutual benefit. The process if overseen by an Operational Council made up of representatives from each of the County’s school districts, business and community leaders.
The Operational Council focuses on the following goals:
- To create a better prepared workforce in Schenectady County thus contributing to the economic development of Schenectady County.
- To help all students succeed in their academic efforts and to prepare for a meaningful and challenging career.
Three main strategies for integrating career development and workforce preparation with academic curriculum have been designed. The comprehensive plan is made up of a continuum of programs.
- Empower - Certificate of Employability
- Explore - CareerEXPO
- Experience - Experiential Day
CareerEXPO
Each March, all county sophomores are invited to attend CareerEXPO held at Schenectady County Community College. The event enlists the help of more than 100 local professionals who share their background education, career path, daily tasks and challenges with the youth during this half-day gathering.
Prior to the event, students participate in activities that assist them in identifying career clusters for their consideration. The day begins with an opening presentation to help further prepare the attendees for the trade-show style atmosphere awaiting them. Directly following the opening presentation, the students have their choice of engaging with the professionals whose careers are of the greatest interest to them. An information gathering assignment is provided to ensure that they utilize the event to its fullest potential. On average, 80 percent of the attendees report that the information received from the professionals is helpful and 70 percent would recommend the event to other students.
Careers in Action!
In an effort to circumvent the challenges of traditional job shadowing and internship placements, Careers in Action was created by our County’s educators. Transportation, liability and difficulty in finding placements led to this unique approach that is a morph of job shadowing and internships. Piloted in Spring 2009 on the Union College campus, Careers in Action! allowed juniors and seniors the opportunity to get a closer look at specific careers that interest them.
Since one size doesn’t always fit all, the Business and Education Partnership works individually with all the districts to provide one-on-one placements for traditional job shadowing and internships as needed.
If you have interest in gathering additional information on CareerEXPO or Careers in Action! please contact Susan Rank 518.372.5656 or by email at srank@schenectadychamber.org.
Click above to find out who is offering the CoE program in your area.