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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 401-6222
Grants totaling $6.6 million are being awarded to industry
groups and trade associations for a project to increase employer involvement in
School-to-Work, Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman and Secretary of Education
Richard Riley announced today.
"The whole idea behind School-to-Work is to improve
students academic performance by making learning more relevant to real-life,
real-work situations," said Secretary Herman. "But to make that happen,
employers all over the country must become both professionally and personally
involved in education. These grants will encourage that participation, and
provide employers with valuable strategies that will insure the effectiveness
of their contributions."
One of the purposes of the National School-to-Work Act is
to use the workplace as an active, learning environment where students can see
first-hand how classroom lessons are applied in the real world of work.
Specifically, the Act directs the Secretaries of Education and Labor to "work
in cooperation with ... employers and their associations ... to increase their
capacity to develop and implement effective School-to-Work programs."
"The businesses and industries who are receiving today's
awards know the importance of being good corporate citizens," said Secretary
Riley. "Not only can they stress to young people the importance of mastering
the basics, but they can show in a very real way, how learning those lessons
and developing qualities such as discipline, teamwork, and courtesy are
essential to becoming successful adults."
School-to-Work encourages partnerships among schools,
parents, businesses, organized labor, and community organizations that link
classroom lessons with the workplace. These partnerships provide students with
the opportunity to learn about potential careers and fields of study and to
participate in internships, apprenticeships, and job shadowing.
These competitively awarded grants concentrate on
increasing employer participation in School-to-Work through outreach, technical
assistance and other activities. Successful applications are from industry
groups or trade associations representing growth industries that could
encourage employers on a national scale to become actively involved in building
and maintaining School-to-Work systems after federal funding for this
initiative sunsets in 2001.
Brief descriptions of the grantees and the grant amounts
are attached.
Grants to Industry Groups and Trade Associations To
Increase Employer Involvement in School-to-Work
Institute for Educational Leadership
$1,766,000
The Institute represents manufacturing employers from a
broad spectrum of industries, including high-demand segments like chemicals and
metalworking. The alliance members have considerable experience providing
workplace experiences for teachers and students and a strong history of
involvement in skill standards, as well as the National Employer Leadership
Council's Employer Participation Model.
Contact: Mr. Norm Manley
206-281-3821
National Alliance of Business
$1,549,000
The
National Alliance of Business and its partners in this proposal represent over
11,000 direct and affiliated companies in the field of information technology,
a high-growth industry with significant potential for high-wage jobs. The
collaborating organizations have direct involvement in designing opportunities
for workplace experiences for teachers and students, as well as skill
standards.
Contact: Mr. James VanErden 202-289-2989
National Retail Institute
$1,887,000
This
organization has a broad membership base in all 50 states and has over 30
national affiliates. Many youth begin their careers in retail and then move to
other fields, taking with them the job-related skills they learn in this
industry. The National Retail Institute has been a leader in the development of
skill standards and has strong participation in pilot initiatives sponsored by
the Office of Vocational and Adult Education and the National Skill Standards
Board. It has also been at the forefront of promoting School-to-Work with its
affiliates.
Contact: Ms. Kathryn J. Mannis 202-626-8110
The Utility Business Education Coalition
$1,398,000
The utility industry has a long and strong history of
involvement with School-to-Work and a clear grasp of its philosophy. Utility
companies have made a strong investment financial and otherwise in
School-to-Work, and they have a high level of commitment to increase employer
involvement in this initiative. The Coalition places a high premium on the
professional development of teachers, and it clearly understands and promotes
the role of intermediary organizations, continuing funding, and broad support
for public policy.
Contact: Mr. Steven Kussman 703-435-6676
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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