Adopt-A-School brings business into workforce training equation

Brice Wallace

State economic development officials for years have called on businesses and educational institutions to partner on workforce training. Now there’s a new call to action, in the form of the Utah Adopt-A-School program.

Announced recently by Gov. Spencer Cox, the initiative invites K-12 schools and companies to work together on education and work experience activities, essentially allowing businesses to use the education system as a tool for workforce development.

“When companies partner with schools, they can provide valuable real-world experiences and training our students may otherwise not receive,” Cox said in a video announcing the program. “Work-based learning also benefits businesses, allowing them to help train their future workforce.”

A partnership between Talent Ready Utah and the Utah State Board of Education and described as one of the first of its kind in the nation, Adopt-A-School has goals of helping students learn from workers, experience work environments and gain workforce skills.

“We have all these successful companies and they’re all doing good things,” Cox said at a program news conference. “Many of them are doing things in Africa and Asia — which is wonderful — and have no idea that just a few miles down the road, there are huge needs, right in their backyards.”

A website, utahadoptaschool.org, is designed to offer suggestions about partnerships and serve as a matchmaker between schools and companies. Those organizations can go to the website to complete an assessment that will be evaluated by Talent Ready Utah, which will match businesses with schools where goals and needs align. Then liaisons from business and education will start working together to build meaningful partnerships.

The site lists several ways that businesses can get involved, including providing internships, job-shadowing, tutoring, mentoring and speaking; field trips for students; financial contributions; input to improve communications and job interview skills; tips on education environment and classroom/lab design; homework kits; reading programs and library supplies; technical skills training for teachers; incentives and celebrations for achievements; teacher scholarships and teacher appreciation; donations of land, computer equipment and assistive learning devices for students with special needs; and volunteer substitute teachers.

“I believe the primary purpose of education is to help prepare every student to realize their ultimate potential, in whatever career or life path they may choose,” Cox said. “Many businesses have an incredible desire to be involved and resources available to help our students and teachers. We’re grateful to those who are already doing so much. And, today, we’re asking more Utah businesses to get involved — in whatever way they can — so that every Utah student can receive the best education and preparation possible.”

The website also will feature information about established programs and frameworks for businesses looking to get involved with schools and students.

“Thank you to the countless Utah businesses already engaged in corporate giving and philanthropic work,” said Dan Hemmert, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah). “Efforts in this space provide blueprints for others to think innovatively about partnering with local Utah schools. Programs including Project Lead the Way, Jordan PREP in partnership with Merit Medical, MarketStar’s Pack the Pantry, and SHINE sponsored by Savage Services represent a small fraction of the impact businesses are making in the lives of Utah students.”

“Utah has incredible educators who dutifully instruct and lead the young people of our state. It’s been a privilege for our team to support and bolster the important work already taking place in the classroom,” said Derek Adams, chief technology officer of Brainstorm Inc. “As we look first to meet our education partners where they’re at, we can further the impact our efforts as business partners have on Utah’s youth, its schools and communities.”

Cox said the industry-with-education program is based on the principles of volunteerism and service.

“Utah leads the nation in volunteerism and charitable giving,” he said. “Let’s lead the country in supporting our schools through this statewide Adopt-A-School initiative. This is important for our kids, our economy and our future workforce.”