San Joaquin A+ (SJA+), a dedicated organization committed to empowering the youth in the region, unveiled a groundbreaking report titled "Better Together - San Joaquin County Employers Are Willing and Ready to Work with Schools to Prepare Students for Careers." Released on Monday, January 8th, at Noon PT, the report shared insights garnered over six months of surveying and engaging with local employers, shedding light on the collaborative potential between schools and employers to better serve students.
Key findings from the report included:
Importance of Career Exploration: 100% of surveyed employers emphasized the significance of schools offering opportunities for students to explore careers through internships or paid work opportunities.
Value of Talent Pipeline: 81% of employers ranked "cultivating a pipeline of talent" as the most valuable aspect of a career-connected learning program, showcasing a commitment to nurturing future professionals.
Immediate Interest in Paid Internships: 75% of survey respondents expressed a keen interest in employing a paid intern/apprentice through this program right then, reflecting the immediate readiness of local employers.
Variation in Industry Needs: Employers from different industries showcased significant variation in the time of year, time commitments, and roles they were willing to make available to interns, highlighting the diverse needs across sectors.
Essential Hire-ability Skills: Employers stressed the importance of key hire-ability skills for youth interning with their companies, with a professional attitude and strong time management skills topping the list.
The report, titled "Better Together," underscored the critical role of unity in achieving the shared goal of preparing students for the workforce. SJA+ envisioned successful collaboration between schools and employers to significantly enhance the learning and life outcomes of students within the region.
During a recent webinar, Kai Kung, Co-CEO of SJA+, provided insights into the organization's mission and core findings from the report. SJA+ envisions a past where all young people could pursue their passions and needs in the location they desired, emphasizing collaboration with employers and schools to equip young individuals with career exposure, skills, and experiences necessary for sustainable incomes by age 26.
Despite acknowledging challenges such as administrative burdens, lack of awareness about such programs, and varying industry needs, SJA+ planned to further collaborate with schools and employers. The organization aimed to offer a range of services, including hands-on paid internships, exposure opportunities, soft skills development, and administrative support to streamline the process for employers.
The full report, promising valuable insights and actionable data, was released after the webinar. It provided crucial information for educators, employers, and organizations interested in enhancing workplace learning experiences for high school students in San Joaquin County.