Workforce Readiness

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The Chamber partners with the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) to help prepare students for success in the workforce.

Passport to the Future is a workforce preparation program developed by the Chamber and the HCPSS for students interested in pursuing a career immediately after high school graduation. Chamber members are actively involved by conducting "mock interviews" with students, serving on the Passport Advisory Board and helping to identify potential student worksites.

Click here for the Passport Letter to the Chamber Membership

The Chamber also supports several HCPSS career education programs. Chamber members are encouraged to volunteer for any of the following opportunities:

"Show the Ropes" to the Next Generation as a Mentor / Employer

Howard County businesses, organizations, and professionals can help high school students get off to a great start in life. By working with an employer, career coach, independent research advisor, or mentor in a chosen subject field, students apply knowledge learned in the classroom to real-world work opportunities. The Howard County Public School System offers a range of programs that match student interests and abilities to an employer/mentor's field or needs:

• Passport to the Future - Hire students certified as "employment-ready"
• Career Research & Development - Help students gain experience on the job
• Career Academy Internships - Introduce students to a career field of interest
• Gifted & Talented Intern/Mentor Program - Advise student research in a project related to a professional field

For students who receive special education services:

• Work Study - Provide work for students with independent work skills
• Work Enclave - Provide job tasks for students working under close teacher supervision
• Community Connection - An extension to the Work Study program for older Students

Visit http://www.hcpss.org/aboutus/partnership/work.shtml for more information about these HCPSS career mentor programs and how to get involved.

Host a Job Shadow Day to Broaden Teens' Perspectives on Careers

Rarely do high school students have the opportunity to work side by side an employee to experience a typical day in the life of a business. On Job Shadow Days, students observe employees interacting with coworkers, conducting business telephone calls, handling interruptions, managing their time and other day-to-day work activities. They also discover first-hand how what they learn in the classroom applies to the workplace.

Your business benefits by connecting eager students with accomplished employees. Employees develop sense of pride in their work and business when sharing it with an interested and engaged student. It's a win-win opportunity for businesses and students!

To learn more about Job Shadow Days, please contact Stephanie Discepolo, HCPSS, 410-313-7493, stephanie_discepolo@hcpss.org.

Help Educators Prepare Graduating Students for the Workplace

HCPSS welcomes your participation on the Career Academy Advisory Committees, where members of the local business and professional communities share information about trends in their fields while gaining insight into the educational environment.

Click here for Academy Advisory Committee opportunities.

For more information on partnering with the Howard County Public School System, visit http://www.hcpss.org/aboutus/partnership/ or email partnerships@hcpss.org