A User-Friendly Model for Business/Education Partnerships.

In an effort to ensure local business involvement, the Steering Committee of the Tech Prep Consortium at Pasco-Hernando Community College (PHCC) in Central Florida invited members of the local business community to a Tech Prep Kickoff luncheon to sell them on Tech Prep. A tremendous number of companies attended the meeting and, to focus the energy and ideas of the businesses, three subcommittees were formed. The Scholarship Subcommittee devoted their energies to identifying businesses to contribute to a fund for Tech Prep students. A letter and brochure were developed to solicit contributions from local businesses. The Educators in the Workplace Subcommittee developed a plan for educators to visit the workplaces of consortium businesses. Host businesses were identified, a schedule planned, and leaders were chosen to explain business operations. Educators from two school systems and PHCC spent 1 day a week for 5 weeks touring businesses. Participants then decided which company they would to spend a day shadowing. This event will be repeated three times a year. Finally, the Mentor Subcommittee arranged for high school students to visit work places for 2-week periods, allowing students to explore job options before devoting years to training. The relationship the Tech Prep Consortium has developed with local businesses enhances the educational experience and provides a win-win situation for both schools and students. Appendixes include a Consortium organizational chart, sample brochures, an invitational letter to businesses, and a sample agenda. (KP)