THE CHALLENGE:

Healthy economies depend on a well-educated workforce; yet many young people are poorly prepared to be effective workers in a high skills, high performance workplace in our global economy. California’s schools were developed to meet the needs of an earlier era and a different population. While many high school students work after school or during the summer, their entry-level jobs provide a limited view of the complex world of work. In addition, the work place is changing so rapidly that schools simply cannot keep up.

THE SOLUTION:

Your Future Is Our Business is working to connect business and education by coordinating activities where students and teachers experience the world of work. The goal is to provide every student in Santa Cruz County schools with meaningful work-based learning opportunities to prepare them for a successful transition to the work world. Together, schools and businesses can provide students with both academics and practical experiences within a career path of their choice. Possible activities include career speakers, job shadowing, workplace/industry tours, community service, internships and apprenticeships.