THE ISSUE
As recently as the turn of the 21st century, roughly half of U.S. teens could expect to spend at least part of their summer vacation lifeguarding, putting up hay, mowing yards or otherwise working. But the share of teens working summer jobs has tumbled by half since 2000.1 Fewer students are working summer jobs, and few programs and schools that serve our youth have the capacity to incorporate formal work-based learning, which limits the ability of young people to gain workplace experience. 2
CHALLENGES
The Virginia Department of Education asked career and technical education (CTE) administrators to define the problems that hinder or prevent work-based learning placements in their divisions. The administrators said first, there are insufficient workbased learning workplace placement opportunities. Secondly, because of budgetary and staffing constraints teachers are often prevented from leaving the classroom to even connect with employers. Third, even if they did have time out of their classes, recruiting employers to provide placements is difficult. 3
THE GOAL
United Way created the Ignite program to supply local employers with a talent pipeline of next generation skilled workers, building a robust competitive economy in Southwest Virginia. A key part of this effort is preparing youth to be successful in the workplace by giving them opportunities to develop their skills and competencies through real-life work experiences. By connecting students with internships, United Way helps students gain critical workplace skills through hands-on learning.
WHAT WE DID:
Through a cradle-to-career approach, United Way of Southwest Virginia set out to address the challenges facing tomorrow’s workforce. By aligning local support and investment from schools, businesses and government officials UWSWVA created the region’s first youth workforce development program, Ignite. The goal of Ignite is to create a talent pipeline that prepares the next generation for the jobs of tomorrow, supplying local employers with the skilled workers needed to build a robust, competitive economy. In 2018, United Way partnered with 19 school systems at 93 middle and high schools to reach over 30,000 students to bridge the gap between the worlds of learning and work by connecting schools and students with employers and employees. In January 2019, United Way of Southwest Virginia launched additional efforts to build upon existing school resources to develop an internship component of Ignite, connecting students’ learning to on-the-job experience. The internships were designed to relate to the students’ area of interest and allow them to gain work experience and begin to develop skills and competencies to be successful in the workplace. By partnering with software provider Major Clarity, United Way of Southwest Virginia has been able to expand the current software utilized by schools, to now host, collect, and market internship opportunities from employers and connect capable students to these opportunities. In the summer of 2019, Ignite worked with 18 employers to provide 36 high school students with a minimum four-week summer internship component that taught critical workplace skills and prepared students for the workplace through hands-on work experience.
“Youth who participate in work-based learning are more likely to do better in school, attend college, or go to work compared to their peers.” -Source: National Collaborative on Work force and Disability (2017)
1 United Way Worldwide. 2014. “Youth Employment Report,” 1–16. 2 Cahill, Charlotte. 2016. “Making Work-Based Learning Work.” https://files.eric. ed.gov/fulltext/ED567846.pdf. http://www.doe.virginia.gov 3 “A Strategic Review of Work-Based Learning in Virginia: Expanding Opportunities for Students.” Virginia Department of Education. 2014, Revised 2017. http://www.doe. virginia.gov/instruction/career_technical/work-based_learning/strategic_review_of_ work-based_learning.pdf. 4 Kids Count Data Center, A Project of Annie E. Casey Foundation. (2008-2015 Series). Teens ages 16 to 19 not attending school and not working. http:// datacenter.kidscount.org/data/tables/7261-teens-ages-16-to-19-not-attendingschool-and-not-working?loc=48&loct=6#detailed/6/9212-9222/false/867,133,38,35/ any/14311,14312
PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS 2019 • General Engineering Company • Bristol Virginia Public Schools • Emory & Henry College • Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials • New River Community College • Wythe County Public Schools • Wize Solutions, LLC • Dickenson County Public Schools • Washington County Public Schools • Radford City • Rooftop of Virginia CAP • Norton City Schools • West River Conveyors • Universal Fibers, Inc. • New Peoples Bank • Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company • CGI Federal • LENOWISCO Planning District Commission
“This was my first job and I had a wonderful experience… So few people my age get the opportunity to experience filling out a job application, getting to have a real job interview, and getting to see what goes on in the ‘real world’ before they graduate. More opportunities should be available to students who may benefit from exposure to companies like LENOWISCO and United Way of Southwest Virginia and I hope to participate in this wonderful program in the upcoming summer.”
– Intern
“I actually didn’t have very good expectations, so it ended up being completely different. I was expecting it to be very serious and no fun. But it turned out to be a fun and an extremely happy place to be at. It did meet one expectation, which would be how much inventory I had to do.”
- Intern “I truly did not have many expectations when I accepted this internship. I knew CGI as the big computer place up on the hill, but I had no idea what kind of business they were involved in. Being an intern here has allowed me to have a look at the inner workings of the company; I have learned many new things about CGI and a thing or two about my own skills while working here.”
– Intern
“Internships are vitally important to students, companies, and schools. I’m hopeful this program will enhance the relationships between educators and employers.”
– Employer
United Way of Southwest Virginia | 1096 Ole Berry Drive, Abingdon, VA 24210 PO Box 644, Abingdon, VA 24212 | 276.628.2160 | www.unitedwayswva.org