SPRING 2010
60-SECOND INSIGHT: Steve Nolder, Head, Human Resources/Payroll, LANXESS Corporation
Education and Business: Partners in Success
The Workforce Challenge: New Initiative to Prepare Students for Rewarding Careers
Education Voters Institute of PA to Host Community Discussions
Imagine! Career Week Marks Fourth Anniversary
April 16 – 23, 2010
As the nation and our region endeavor to recover from the economic downturn, investing in our young people is critically important. Each spring, the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board – a Pittsburgh Regional Compact member – coordinates Imagine! Career Week, a series of events to help prepare the region's youth for 21st-century careers. The week will bring together southwestern Pennsylvania youth, parents, educators, employers and youth-serving agencies that are focused on career education.
Imagine! Career Week features a range of opportunities for youth across the region, including events open to the general public and those geared towards members of regional organizations focused on career education and youth development. This year, there will be a YouthLINK Career Fair and the final competition for BotsIQ, featuring 16 teams, backed by educators and manufacturers, battling student-built robots. Both are open to the public.
Pittsburgh's a Hub for Engineering Prowess
"Engineer the Future" Helps to Ensure the Future of
Engineering with Career Awareness, Education
Recently, the Carnegie Science Center hosted hundreds of students and professional engineers for "Engineer the Future," a two-day event, celebrating Pittsburgh's past, present and future engineering success. During the event, nearly 700 children in grades three – 12 had the opportunity to meet and interact with engineers, talking about the work that they do and exploring together hands-on activities related to engineering.
Engineers from several regional companies that are members of the Pittsburgh Regional Compact participated, including CH2M HILL, Michael Baker Corporation and Westinghouse Electric Company. Asked why they chose to participate, representatives from the Compact member companies offered these thoughts.
"The United States is facing a very real shortage of engineering talent within the next decade. Our professionals see great value in exposing young people to hands-on opportunities that engage them in the excitement of science, engineering, and creative problem solving," said Mike Bodek, Pittsburgh area office manager for global engineering, construction and operations at CH2M HILL. "Our involvement allows us to help inspire and educate the next generation of engineers."
From Westinghouse Electric, Engineer Ibrahim Mohammed said, "This event gives youth an opportunity to discover the variety in the engineering profession." His colleague, Cory Stansbury, added, "It's important for the public to see and talk to engineers … to know us as people who are deeply concerned about the quality and safety of the products they engineer."
And Michael Baker Corporation Engineer Mike Pichura remarked, "The kids were excited [with our energy transfer and trajectory demo] … it was great to see them figuring out the basic concepts and to hear them explain them in their own words. We look forward to seeing the quality of engineers this next generation will produce."
60-SECOND INSIGHT: Steve Nolder, Head, Human Resources/Payroll, LANXESS Corporation
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On LANXESS and its commitment to the Pittsburgh region:
LANXESS – a relatively new company – is taking a strong and active approach to helping our economy reach its goals. Corporately, we want to contribute to ensuring the long-term growth of the region. We're spending lots of time and some money to make a difference. One area of investment is with our region's students, the workforce of tomorrow."
On LANXESS and the region's workforce of the future:
"A prepared workforce is the future of the Pittsburgh region. Today's children are tomorrow's employees, and LANXESS and other regional corporations have to ‘own' the task of preparing kids for promising futures here. At the same time, we ensure each of our company's futures. If we aren't proactive from within now, we'll have to recruit talent from elsewhere. That could cost companies significantly more money than investing in workforce preparation, and recruitment will lower the actual talent base. In-region workforce preparation makes strong business sense."
LANXESS's message to today's kids about their careers of tomorrow:
"Kids in the region need to know that LANXESS is not a building brimming with chemists. Even though we are a chemical company, we have many other career opportunities as well. The biggest part of our North American headquarters operation in Pittsburgh is business services — the support required for successful operation: accounting, communication and marketing, finance and payroll and supply chain, to name a few. I tell kids that there's a lot going on at LANXESS … that there are jobs of all sorts across the company. To be successful, we need employees with strong functional skills — the ability to communicate effectively, to think clearly and make sound decisions and to solve problems. LANXESS and other corporations are always going to need people in these pivotal roles.
On preparing for future careers:
"Identify the skills you are good at and know your passions. This will let you select the career that best fits with your skills and interests. If you have strong persuasion skills and you enjoy negotiating, a career in procurement might be right for you. Get exposed to many different jobs and learn how many different jobs come together to make a company.
On how educators and business professionals can help prepare tomorrow's workforce:
"Kids must have a much better understanding of their career options. As adults, professionals and mentors, we have the responsibility to push back … to question our kids. 'So you want to be an engineer? Why? Is it really your passion or it is the money? Have you considered all the options?' Get involved. Volunteer – at your company, with your local school district – to assist with real-world career awareness and education."
Education and Business: Partners in Success
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It is no secret that the last two years have posed many financial challenges to families, communities and businesses throughout southwestern Pennsylvania. While many factors have contributed to the region’s economic climate, employment and job creation are now key issues discussed at many levels. With this in mind, now, more than ever, it is imperative that students of all ages are given the opportunity to explore their career interests, and that schools partner with local businesses in a combined effort to nurture our youngest entrepreneurs. The Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU) provides resources and services that give schools and businesses a unique opportunity to educate together.
AIU's Efforts to Enhance Career Education
The AIU, a branch of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, provides educational services to the 42 suburban school districts in the county, as well as non-public and private schools. It partners with other community providers and non-profit organizations, offering over 130 separate programs for learners of all ages and ability levels to over 123,000 children and more than 3,000 adults. In addition to special education, professional development, and early childhood education services, the AIU has developed several programs which expose students to career options, and informs them of the education and training they need to fulfill their goals. Under the leadership of Dr. Linda Hippert, who became the AIU's executive director in July 2009, the agency has renewed its efforts to enhance career awareness and education and assist schools in meeting the required Career Education and Work Standards by working in conjunction with business leaders and all 42 school districts in suburban Allegheny County.
"Public educators know that in order to compete in today's global economy, students must become continuous learners and we must strive to make their educational experiences rigorous as well as relevant. Opportunities to relate classroom learning to real life applications in potential future careers assist students in making choices for post secondary education," Hippert said.
Career Dynamics and Apprenticeship Programs: Helping Students Envision Their Futures
The AIU, as part of its ongoing effort to offer programs consistent with career education and work standards currently offers the Career Dynamics and Apprenticeship Programs. A youth workforce development model, Career Dynamics helps high school juniors and seniors gain practical career education and allows them to meet and learn from professionals in a variety of careers. These include business and financial services, tourism and hospitality, health care and biotechnology, construction and engineering, and information technology. Currently, 243 students from 10 school districts in Allegheny County participate in this program.
The AIU's Apprenticeship Program offers high school students the chance to envision what they may experience beyond high school. Juniors and seniors can meet and work with professionals hailing from 40 different career areas who are willing to share their experience, expertise and enthusiasm. Students attend monthly hands-on, behind-the-scenes learning experiences throughout the school year, and have the opportunity to make connections with organizations and people as they pursue career choices. Currently, 978 students from 43 school districts in Allegheny County participate in this program.
South Fayette Township School District Offers Programs to Prepare Students and Promote Regional Prosperity
Exemplary and creative programs that connect students to the workforce are essential to encourage students in the region to acquire the necessary skills, competencies and education to fulfill the positions that promote a vibrant regional economy. While the superintendent of schools at South Fayette Township School District, Dr. Hippert recognized the need for relevant career development education and implemented many initiatives that encouraged students to work toward their career goals. Collaborating with then South Fayette High School Principal Ann Bisignani, Dr. Hippert initiated South Fayette's senior project, a career-focused model that includes student career exploration which utilizes partnerships with area businesses, job shadowing, e-mentoring and independent research. At the completion of the program, the student is required to complete an in-depth research paper and project which includes a presentation with required utilization of technology. Students attain core academic competencies in research, writing and presentation while acquiring a deep knowledge of careers and making meaningful connections with the workforce. Getting such positive feedback of the long term benefits of students making informed post-secondary choices, the district committed to hiring a workforce experienced career coordinator, Maureen Pedzwater, who organizes opportunities for students to participate in activities with businesses that enhance their knowledge of various fields.
"Expansion of the connection of workforce to the schools was furthered by the CEO to CEO meetings with superintendents and business leaders, coordinated by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and chaired by Louis Testoni, Price Waterhouse. Becoming the executive director at the AIU created an opportunity for me to influence continuing school-business partnerships and enable opportunities for all students in our region. The collaboration among the workforce and education is tremendous. We have the chance to create unique programs that will serve as a model for others," said Hippert.
State Grant to Make Possible Sustainable Program to Connect Schools and Businesses
In the spirit of collaboration and determination, the first countywide effort begins as the AIU, the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board and the Allegheny Conference recently were awarded nearly $300,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to offer a sustainable program that connects schools and business with intentional experiences that afford students the tools needed to create a vision for their future jobs and the understanding of how education makes the connection a reality.
One vital resource in this effort will be the Pittsburgh Regional Compact. Every business in the region, large and small, should consider making a commitment to the future workforce by becoming a member of Pittsburgh Regional Compact, signing on to the CONNECTOR – the Compact's membership directory – and participating in at least one activity that will educate students about careers. This electronic connection will serve as the primary source for all opportunities for Pre-K – 12 Education – Business Partnerships in our region, allowing both the schools and businesses to be selective based upon their individual circumstances. Through the grant, specific programs will also be developed.
"Our desire is for the region to be unique by having all businesses contributing to a critical common goal – preparing our students today to contribute positively to a quality workforce for tomorrow," said Hippert.
Thanks to AIU Communication Services Supervisor Sarah McCluan for contributing this article.
The Workforce Challenge: New Initiative to Prepare
Students for Rewarding Careers
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The following remarks are excerpted from a speech prepared for Allegheny Conference on Community Development CEO Dennis Yablonsky, who addressed school board members, high-ranking school officials and others at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit 29th Annual Board Presidents' Dinner on January 28, 2010.
The Allegheny Intermediate Unit provides educational options and opportunities that maximize achievement for all learners. Its serves 42 suburban school districts and five vocational/technical schools in Allegheny County and does not include the City of Pittsburgh.
"With our diverse economy – a result of the 30-year economic, environmental and quality of life transformation now known worldwide thanks to our hosting the Pittsburgh (G-20) Summit – it is clear that the Pittsburgh regional economy offers great promise. But growing our workforce remains a critical challenge to building long-term prosperity.
As we look ahead to ensuring the future vitality of our region, we are concerned about:
The pipeline – and whether the students who are leaving our secondary institutions are prepared with the competencies and life skills they will need to be successful for a 21st-century career.
The global economy – today, more than ever, it is clear that we are a part of a global economy with 24 hour financial markets and supply chains that reach around the world. At the same time, smaller companies and start-ups are also on the forefront of those businesses creating jobs.
The changing nature of jobs and employment – from teamwork and virtual organizations, to increased technology and the expectation that most individuals will hold 15-20 jobs during their working life.
There is no question that the young men and women who are in our high schools today will face a very different world of work than their parents did. Therefore, today is the time to ensure that they understand what they need to do to be in line for rewarding, family sustaining employment. Furthermore, national studies have also indicated that the fastest job growth in the next several years will be in occupations that require an associates degree or post-secondary vocational education.
In addition to a strong basis in "reading, writing and arithmetic," employers also looking for talent that can:
- think critically and solve problems;
- build their portfolio of skills through life-long learning; and
- demonstrate intellectual flexibility and adaptability.
We would ensure the economic success of our children if every student left school with a fundamental, working knowledge of these four areas:
- career awareness and preparation;
- career acquisition (getting a job);
- career retention and advancement; and
- entrepreneurship.
One of the biggest challenges is how to craft a meaningful and sustainable relationship between schools working to implement these standards and businesses interested in the outcomes. The Pittsburgh Regional Compact was designed to help build permanent bridges between the two sectors.
Now, through a focused and substantial effort in partnership with the AIU, a pilot project is being created – to launch first in 42 schools – that delivers career awareness activities, which could be implemented across the entire Intermediate Unit. It aims to create a sustainable and effective template for business engagement and to explore professional development opportunities for teachers (by connecting them directly with HR directors and others who can explain the skills, abilities and attitude they are looking for in new hires; and offering updates on the latest changes in our regional economy and the sectors that offer the greatest opportunities – such as energy).
We have more jobs in our region today than we had at the height of the steel industry – with nearly 20,000 available jobs to search at www.ImaginePittsburgh.com. We also have businesses and educators ready to help our students prepare for meaningful and family-sustaining careers in our region – so let's get to work!"
Education Voters Institute of PA to Host Southwest PA Regional Conversation on Public Education
Education Voters Institute of Pennsylvania has joined with the University of Pennsylvania's Project for Civic Engagement to host a community discussion about public education issues and solutions. Members of both the education and business communities are invited. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The location is the Union Project Great Hall, 801 N. Negley Ave. in Shadyside. The collaborative discussion will be moderated by neutral facilitators in order to identify issues, priorities and ideas for our public education system. The ideas and concerns voiced will be documented to help build a statewide citizen's guide which will be shared with candidates for governor, the state legislatures and other elected and community leaders. For more information, contact Anne Gemmell at 215-564-2299. Register for the event here.
Laura Fisher - Publisher | Philip Cynar - Editor
The Pittsburgh Regional Compact is an employer-driven initiative collaboratively
sponsored by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, business
leaders, educators, students, educational institutions and workforce development
organizations across the 10-county Pittsburgh region.