Educator in the Workplace seeks to enhance classroom instruction, student learning, and career readiness for the workplace of today and tomorrow by connecting Lackawanna County educators with local business and industry leaders. Bridging the Gap Between Education and Business: A Virtual Learning Experience Educator in the Workplace seeks to align and connect business and industry leaders with local school districts, the career and technical center, and the local intermediate unit. Educators will participate in a 7-week, virtual learning program. Through the program, teachers, counselors, and administrators are provided experiences interacting directly with industry and business leaders to learn about industry trends, needs and opportunities to enhance their classroom instruction, student learning and career readiness. Program details: Orientation day: January 20, 2021 (Zoom meeting)Logistics and transportation cohort: Week of February 1, 2021Healthcare cohort: Week of February 8, 2021Advanced manufacturing cohort: Week of February 15, 2021Building construction and trades cohort: Week of February 22, 2021Business services cohort: Week of March 1, 2021Debriefing day: Week of March 10, 2021 (Zoom meeting) *All cohorts will be recorded and for participants to view at their convenience during the designated week outlined above. For Educators Who can apply? Teachers from kindergarten to 12th gradeGuidance counselorsAdministratorsCareer and technical education instructors What will I be doing? Participating in and exploring career pathways in local businesses and industriesInteracting directly with leaders of the business community, gaining insight on the skills students need to be successful in their future careersEstablishing connections to business and industry leaders in Lackawanna County’s leading and emerging industry sectorsLearning about local businesses and employment opportunities Why? Employers are experiencing challenges in recruiting, hiring and retaining a skilled workforce.A skilled workforce is critical to future business growth and ultimately, our region’s well-being.Curricula can build job readiness and strengthen the skills that are most crucial to employers.With a clear picture of where the jobs of today and tomorrow are, educators can help students make informed decisions on their future career pathway and raise awareness of job opportunities in Lackawanna County. By enhancing the collaborative efforts of the business and education communities, educators can enrich their career education instruction and counseling efforts and businesses will gain valuable insight on the local educational landscape. Next steps: Apply to participateComplete the 2020/2021 Educator in the Workplace application. Applications can be completed and submitted online by clicking here or via the printable application. Educators play an important role in connecting students of all ages to the world of work. The Chamber’s role is to provide opportunities and resources to strengthen an educator’s ability to guide students in making informed career and education decisions. If you are an educator interested in learning more about this program, contact Amy Luyster. For Businesses Businesses can gain a better understanding of what is being taught in the classroom and gain valuable insight from experienced teachers. Educators can gain a more robust understanding of the technical skills, behaviors and mindsets students need to be successful in today’s professional environment. The Educators in the Workplace experience seeks to ensure K-12 students are being taught the essential knowledge and skills, as well as guidance to prepare them for the workplace of today and tomorrow. Why? Show educators which skills are vital to your businessMarket careers that are facing workforce shortagesPromote employment opportunities at your organizationAchieve positive public relations via community outreachParticipate in an experience that will provide wonderful opportunities for learning and collaboration between the education and business communities of Lackawanna County What will I be doing? Prior to the program, businesses are asked to identify the opportunities and challenges related to hiring, training, promoting and retaining workforce. All business hosts will record their presentations via Zoom for participants to view at their convenience during the designated industry week. You will receive guidance and a variety of resources and materials to develop your experience. To provide a meaningful experience to the educators, businesses are asked to: Guide educators through your entire business environment, highlighting the skills that are vital to your businessShare knowledge of the structure of the organization as well as the profile of the workplace (employment opportunities, educational background, salary ranges, training needs, ongoing professional development, etc.)Expose educators to careers that are facing critical workforce shortagesDiscuss skills needed and challenges facing the industryDiscuss topics such as the impact of technology, diversity in the workplace, employee benefits and work ethicAssign them a mentor to serve as their liaison to the businessBusinesses are encouraged to involve educators to all major areas of their business operations Next steps: If you are a business interested in learning more, contact Amy Luyster. Past Industry Partners: Admiral Management Svcs, LLCAllied ServicesBarry CallebautBarry Isett & AssociatesCintasCommonwealth HealthDelta MedixGeisingerGeneral DynamicsHendrick ManufacturingHighland AssociatesHonesdale National BankJack Williams Tire & AutoKane Is AbleLockheed MartinMcLane Company Inc. Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced MaterialsmtfbiologicsNET Federal Credit UnionPA American WaterPenn East Federal Credit Union Pompey Automotive GroupProcess Technologies and PackagingQuandel Construction GroupSandvik Materials TechnologyScranton Primary Health Care Center, Inc.Select TissueSt Joseph’s CenterUGI Utilities, Inc.Universal Printing Learn More:
