The Challenge
– For most of human history, work and school were synonymous. What one needed to learn in order to make a living, one learned by doing.
While the public school system is one of the great achievements of this century, the reality is that learning in school is so separated from the world of work, that learning has lost its relevance. Many students graduate from high school with a very poor idea of what skills and knowledge are required in today's workforce.
The Response
– In response to this problem, President Clinton signed into law the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994. The school-to-work approach is based around the idea that individuals learn more if they apply what is being learned in school to their experience as workers. Education for all individuals needs to be more relevant to gain life-long learning skills. Oregon is among the first states funded by this act, and is generally seen around the country as a leader in the school-to-work effort.
AGC involvement in School-To-Work - AGC is involved with school-to-work efforts to develop the construction workforce.
- Sponsors and supports middle-school programs with a construction
emphasis.
- Conducts summer workshops for math teachers on how algebra,
geometry and trigonometry are used to build things.
- Develop videos for student and teachers on the construction industry.
- Holds monthly meetings with contractors, educators and apprenticeship trainers to promote school-to-work programs, linking to the construction industry.
- Promotes summer internships for educators in the construction industry.
Contact Workforce Manager
Dan Graham for more information.
School-to-Career