1. Linking Learning to Earning
Eileen Drake – PCC Structurals
Amy Parkhurst – Worksystems, Inc.

2. Why Business Should Care?
Youth
Business
Recession is Temporary
Baby Boomers Retiring
21st Century Jobs Require Education Beyond High School
Concern about Pipeline
High School Graduation Rate 58%
High School Graduates with Low Basic Skills
Teen Unemployment Highest in History
Oregon 2nd Highest in US – 31%
This slide sets the context for current reality.
AMY/YOUTH:
Future Workforce characteristics – high drop out rate, X % of youth go to college, and only X % graduate. Unemployment among year olds Is the highest nationally in recorded history…but guess what? Oregon’s teen unemployment rate is the second highest in the country.
EILEEN/BUSINESS:
Businesses in the Portland Metro Area are facing very challenging times. We see a workforce crisis is looming. Massive numbers of highly skilled workers will soon retire and we need skilled and trainable replacement workers.
Businesses care about their workforce pipeline…shall I say more about what a pipeline is?
In Portland, employers are partnering with local government, education and community organizations to identify opportunities to connect with our communities youth, help them see a future and hopefully, motivate them to graduate with the skill level needed to work and go to college.

3. Business Partnerships
Summer Youth Connect
Youth SummerWorks
BizConnect
Eileen:
We’re going to look at a few different initiatives where business is a key partner

4. Summer Youth Connect Worksystems Mayor’s Office
Portland Schools Foundation
Mayor’s Office
Worksystems
Summer Youth Connect
Amy:
Here’s the Continuum of programs under the umbrella of Summer Youth Connect. Worksystems leads SummerWorks. Last year was our first year.

5. Amy: Poll room – what was your first summer job
Amy: Poll room – what was your first summer job? Pick no more than 3 responses. When was the last time you saw a young person [insert examples of what was said]

6. Summer 2010… Summer 2009 $3.4 Million Stimulus 1300 Kids
65% Kids of Color
300 Worksites
94% Completion Rate
86% Employer Satisfaction Rate
Stimulus $ Uncertain
Employer Champions
Crafting Long-Term Sustainable Model:
Local
State
Mutual Investment
Worksystems contracted with 12 youth providers in Multnomah and Washington Counties to operate SummerWorks. Open meadow was one.
300 employers from Multnomah and Washington Counties hired 1300 kids. Made possible because of stimulus funds.
Funding for a large scale program is still uncertain for this summer but we will run a program of some magnitude.
Eileen: (and Amy if it makes sense)
Whether or not more federal funding comes again this year, we know that this program is important, we know we need young people to have opportunities to work, earn a paycheck, learn the basics about succeeding on a job – like being on time, communicating problems, getting along with coworkers.
Right now Sandy/PBA, PGE and my company are recruiting employer champions to hire youth this summer and pay the costs.
We need a long term sustainability model that is funded with public and private dollars – a mutual investment model.

7. Benefit To Employers Pipeline – Retiring Baby Boomers
Economic Development
Wages invested in local economy
Access to diverse future workforce
Easy for you to be a CHAMPION
It’s the right thing to do
Eileen – there are many reasons why business needs to be involved…

8. BizConnect Makes the Connection
Relevant classroom learning
To inspire students to graduate
Options for meeting graduation requirements
Diverse pipeline of qualified people for replacement & new jobs.
Local High Schools Need:
Area Businesses Need:
BizConnect
Makes the Connection
Amy will run through this slide:
Systematizes School to Career Connections
Piloted with Federal Dollars
Business Solution to CRLE request overload
Currently Coordinated by Portland Business Alliance in MultCo and Hillsboro Chamber in Washco
Quick run thru graphic
1000 employer partners in 5 Counties
David Douglas, Park Rose, OM, Aloha, Beaverton, Qwest, Arts Magnet – Beaverton
Future:
Maintain current size while seeking funding
Possible Statewide Replication
Business Partner Marketing & Recruitment
Database of Career Exposure Opportunities
Business Training & Support
High School Partners

9. Benefits to Youth Benefits to Business
Student exposure to career options, business culture, employer expectations
Begin to build career network
Increased motivation to complete high school and pursue postsecondary training
Pipeline - Opportunity to market careers to young people
One solution to connect with multiple schools.
Opportunity to make an investment in the community
Employees Enjoy It!
1000 kid in

10. Call to Action
Join BizConnect
Hire a SummerWorks youth or Partner with BizConnect