Connecting Commerce to Classroom
PIEDMONT FUTURES engages local businesses and organizations in the career education of K-12 public school children in the surrounding communities.
The goals of the initiative are to:
- strengthen existing business-education collaborations
- facilitate new partnership opportunities
- create a community focus on career education
- offer students career exploration opportunities on a regional scale
Opportunities to Volunteer
Speakers
PIEDMONT FUTURES offers Career Pathways Speakers in eleven elementary schools. We target a new career area each month and distribute a packet of follow-up activities to the schools. Speakers give a brief talk about their career, demonstrate or share some equipment from their job and answer questions from students. These talks are usually 20-30 minutes in length, and address the whole 4th or 5th grade at one time. Many speakers are scheduled during lunchtime, but some schools offer the program during guidance or library time. Please contact us to share the excitement of your career with these young people.
7th Grade Career Expo
The University of Virginia, in partnership with area public schools is hosting a Career EXPO for all students in the 7th grade, November 16 & 17, 2009. The Career EXPO, sponsored by the Central Virginia Tech Prep Consortium and PIEDMONT FUTURES, will provide students with the opportunity to explore exhibits related to careers representing the various career families, other post-secondary training and employment options.
Additionally, all 2000+ students will participate in an interactive presentation on the importance of developing Workplace Readiness Skills and the importance of maximizing high school opportunities including preparing for and accessing college and technical programs. We are looking for businesses to host a table in the Expo as well as speakers for the Workplace Readiness Skills presentations.
Commonwealth Scholars
This is a national program that uses business leaders to motivate students, beginning in 8th grade, to complete a rigorous course of study in high school-one that will give them a boost in college and in their career. PIEDMONT FUTURES sends speakers into each 8th-grade class to challenge students. Speakers find the experience rewarding as they share their own career path, as well as facts about the workforce of the future. A one-hour training session gives each speaker the latest facts and figures. Training Power Points can be found at these links: Presentation used in 8th Grade Classrooms and Background Information on Commonwealth Scholars
10th Grade Career Day
Held Spring 2010, at PVCC, an array of career seminars at the Career Day inform 10th grade students about various jobs and the education and training required to participate in and be successful at these careers. Students hear from two speakers, in a career areas of their choice, for 45 minutes each. Area business volunteers serve as presenters at the seminars. It is not too early to show your interest or sign up to participate! We would assign you your 45-minute session time when we get the assignments from the schools, in early March 2010.
PIEDMONT FUTURES Business Partner Registration Form
