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ElevateEdAZ, the education initiative of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation, has prepared Arizona students for college and career success since its launch in 2020. By fostering stronger alignment between education, business and the community, ElevateEdAZ partners with companies in high-demand, high-wage industries to provide students with work-based learning opportunities such as job shadows, internships and more. With 21 participating schools and more than 170 business partners, and College and Career Coaches on each campus, ElevateEdAZ connects students in career and technical education (CTE) programs with local businesses, guiding students toward these life-changing opportunities and making a significant impact on the local workforce.
Understanding Work-Based Learning
Work-based learning (WBL) encompasses a range of experiential opportunities designed to equip students with practical skills and insights relevant to their career interests. WBL opportunities include internships, where students gain hands-on experience within a business; job shadows, which allow them to observe professionals in their work environment; and guest-speaker events, where industry experts share their knowledge and experiences. Additionally, career fairs and professionalism workshops also help students develop essential networking and résumé-building skills. ElevateEdAZ partners with schools and businesses to offer these experiences to students. By providing these opportunities, students can build upon their skills and feel more comfortable pursuing education and career pathways after high school.
Small Business Participation in WBL
In today’s competitive landscape, small businesses face unique challenges. One effective solution is to engage in WBL opportunities. These programs not only benefit students, but also provide significant advantages for your business.
Fostering Fresh Perspectives: Engaging with students brings new ideas and energy to your business. A study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that 83% of employers believe interns bring a fresh perspective to the workplace. Students often have a keen understanding of emerging trends and consumer behaviors, helping businesses remain competitive and responsive to market changes.
Creating a Positive Work Culture: Involving students in your business can also contribute to a positive workplace culture. According to a study by Deloitte, companies that prioritize workplace learning experiences have a 14% increase in employee engagement. Mentoring students fosters a culture of continuous learning within your organization, enhancing your existing workforce and promoting collaboration and innovation.
Strengthening the Talent Pipeline: Engaging in WBL experiences also helps small businesses strengthen the local talent pipeline by identifying and nurturing emerging talent. Research shows that former interns have a 30% higher retention rate than new hires and are 25% more likely to be hired full-time after their internships (National Association of Colleges and Employers). This proactive approach not only provides students with valuable experience but also cultivates future employees who are already familiar with your operations and culture.
When businesses invest in high school students, they invest in the future of our local workforce. By equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed, they enter the job market as reliable and sustainable talent.
Small Business Triumph: Chem Baddie Cosmetics
Chem Baddie Cosmetics is a local, woman-owned, small business here in the Valley focused on providing vegan cosmetics with high-quality ingredients. Chem Baddie Cosmetics hosted an intern for the first time this fall through the ElevateEdAZ initiative.
“This experience has been incredibly rewarding,” said Chantal Navratil, CEO of Chem Baddie Cosmetics. “Our organization has not only enhanced mentorship opportunities, but also gained valuable insights into internships from a student’s perspective.”
She continued, “Our intern demonstrated her creativity through social media posts, and her time with us inspired her to pursue her own cosmetics brand one day, which was inspiring to hear. Hosting an intern has been eye-opening and reinforced the importance of hands-on experience and the profound impact that guided support can have on emerging professionals.”
Conclusion
Participating in WBL opportunities for high school students offers numerous benefits for small businesses. Success stories like Chem Baddie Cosmetics highlight the transformative impact of these partnerships. If you are an Arizona business interested in learning more about how you can be involved with ElevateEdAZ, please contact our Business Partnerships Team through our website or fill out the form to sign up for opportunities.
References:
- Office of Advocacy. “Small Business Profile.”
- National Association of Colleges and Employers. “Internship and Co-op Survey.”
- Deloitte. “2019 Global Human Capital Trends.”
ElevateEdAZ is a program of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation.