Letter from the Executive Director

>>>

Letter from the Executive Director

Dear Friends:

More and more companies and industries are recognizing the need to broaden their recruitment efforts and to begin at an earlier age. The 2000 census showed an increasingly diverse population in the United States. The workforce of the future—those students now in K-12 education—will be drawn from this more diverse population. Employers are increasingly recognizing that to have a group of seasoned professionals available to meet the human capital needs of their industry in the year 2028 (25 years from now) they need to make an investment today.

The municipal bond industry recognizes the importance of recruiting outstanding New York City high school students. As part of this effort, the Municipal Forum of New York, a local industry association of the municipal bond business, has organized a summer internship program for the past 11 years. Our cover page story describes the benefits this program provides to both the young people and the employers who host the students.

In another example of industry education and recruitment initiatives, The Sense of Smell Institute, the Fragrance Foundation, the Annette Green Museum and Teen Vogue will co-host a pilot career day in October for the fragrance industry. The School to Work Alliance has been providing technical assistance and support to professionals in the industry who recognized the need to introduce high school students to the full range of careers available in this industry from chemists to marketing specialists. The New York metropolitan area is home to the largest concentration of fragrance industry related businesses.

A third industry collaboration is underway with The American Museum of the Moving Image, the Advisory Council for Career & Technical Education and the School to Work Alliance. We are organizing a career forum for the film, television and digital media production industry to be held at the Museum of the Moving Image on October 28, 2003. The morning event will include panels with a variety of industry professionals talking about career opportunities, the skills required for success in the industry and the career pathways to those careers.

One of the School to Work Alliance's roles is to highlight successful program models, encourage more businesses and trade associations to take on these career development activities, and to provide the technical assistance and consultation needed to make it happen. If your business or industry is interested in participating in any of the activities you read about in our newsletter please give us a call. We can help you with materials, information and technical assistance or connect you to others who can provide the assistance you need.

Sincerely,

Tom Pendleton
Executive Director

Fall 2003 Issue

> Municipal Bond Industry Trade Association Hosts Student Interns for 11th Summer

> Career Zone: Helping Students and Faculty Explore Occupations Online

> Summer Highlights

> NYC Delegations Present at National High Schools that Work Conference

> The School to Work Alliance Welcomes Two New Board Members

> New Staff Member at the School to Work Alliance

> Alliance Offers Training Workshops on Partnership Development