Use Student Help

Consider involving education, psychology and other students from universities, colleges and even, in some instances, from secondary schools, to assist with employee basic skills training.

Not all expertise belongs to professional educators and trainers.  Students at many levels of the education system have skills and knowledge to offer that may prove very valuable in helping to develop your employees' workplace basic skills. 

Involving them may prove beneficial to everyone as it will allow them to hone their teaching skills and make a contribution to their communities.  For the employer, there may also be cost savings from employing students rather than professionals to undertake part or all of the training your employees require.

For information about how to contact interested students, contact your local university, college or secondary school. You can also access links across the United States to vocational student organizations and associations, from which you can contact students involved with training and human resources development.
   URL:  http://www.ed.gov/offices/OVAE/VocEd/WebLinks/vso.html

The National Clearinghouse for Information on Business/Industry Involvement in Education conducts regional training programs on collaborative school-to-work systems and systemic school improvement through industry-education joint efforts. It also promotes innovative workforce education and school-based job placement programs.
     URL: http://www2.pcom.net/naiec/

Strong Students, Strong Workers: Models for Student Success through Workforce Development and Community College Partnerships is a review of community college and state efforts to improve enrollments and completion rates among disadvantaged youth and adults.
URL: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/12/pdf/strong_students.pdf

Re-imagining Community Colleges in the 21st Century is a report that discusses policies on community college-transfer, occupational and developmental activities as well as collaborations among four-year institutions, community-based organizations, business and industrial partners.
URL: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/12/pdf/community_colleges_reimagined.pdf

Training Tomorrow's Workforce: Community College and Apprenticeship as Collaborative Routes to Rewarding Careers is a report that shows the benefits of collaboration between community colleges and apprenticeship programs for workers, employers and community colleges.
URL: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/12/pdf/comm_colleges_apprenticeships.pdf

For problems or questions regarding this web site contact contactbasicskills@conferenceboard.ca
Last updated: Jan. 8, 2010.