Governor Bentley Establishes College & Career Ready Task Force
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: January 15, 2013
Governor Robert Bentley on Tuesday announced a statewide effort that will help students better prepare for successful careers.
The
Governor's College & Career Ready Task Force will bring together
members of the education community and the business community in a
united effort
to strengthen the preparation of students for the workforce. Governor
Bentley is asking business leaders to partner with educators and
routinely discuss the types of skills that are needed in today's
workplace. Educators can then use that feedback, coupled
with their own expertise, to develop new programs that will train
students in the skills that are sought by employers.
"The
result is that more students will be college and career ready, and more
people will be able to find a good, well-paying job," Governor Bentley
said. "As we continue to strengthen our workforce, that will also help
us attract more new companies and more new jobs for the people of
Alabama."
Representatives
of K-12 schools, two-year colleges, four-year colleges and the business
community will work together on the task force, helping the
state offer a more coordinated approach to workforce development. As
part of the task force, businesses can also be encouraged to invest in
career training initiatives.
"By
coordinating our workforce development efforts, we can give more
students a seamless transition from the classroom to the workplace,"
Governor
Bentley added. "The work of the task force can also help more students
understand the variety of good careers that are available. A lot of
good career training is already taking place at various schools. The
goal of this task force is to make sure our efforts
are reaching more students across Alabama."
"Governor
Bentley and I are convinced that the path to a brighter and more
productive Alabama rests in the ability to educate and train our
existing
and future workforce," State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tommy Bice
said. "The formation of the College and Career Ready Task Force is
another step in the direction of making sure Alabama students have the
knowledge and skills necessary to move seamlessly
from high school to college and/or the workforce. This team of
educators and business professionals has been assembled to make sure we
are clearly articulating exactly what is expected from teachers,
administrators, parents, students and the business community
to make sure Alabama students not only graduate from high school, but do
so with the ability to successfully transition into college or the
workforce without mandatory remediation - a foundational component of
the State Board of Education's PLAN 2020."
"The
Governor's College and Career Ready Task Force is another tool that the
State of Alabama will have under its belt to ensure that we are
preparing
our students and citizens for the jobs of today and the jobs of
tomorrow," Alabama Community College System Chancellor Dr. Mark Heinrich
said. "In our roles as educators and business and industry leaders,
tasked with preparing the people of this state to go
out and be successful in the workforce, it is crucial that the right
people are at the table having the right conversation."
Lieutenant
Governor Kay Ivey, House Speaker Mike Hubbard, Senate President Pro Tem
Del Marsh and Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield will serve as
co-chairs of the task force.
Secretary
Canfield said the work of the task force will compliment Accelerate
Alabama - the state's long-term, strategic economic development plan.
"One
of the goals of the Accelerate Alabama partnership is to close the gap
between the skills employees have and what employers need. This task
force will tighten our focus on this goal and make it reality,"
Secretary Canfield said. "Our economic development team, K-12,
postsecondary and industry working together will forge a partnership
that ensures that every child in Alabama has the opportunity
to learn the skills needed in today's work environment."
The
task force is not a new governance structure or decision-making
authority. Rather, it is a gathering of business and education
professionals
who will work to make practical recommendations on ways to strengthen
workforce development.
Tuesday's
announcement was made at the Shelby County School of Technology, which
already offers students a variety of Career Technical Academies.
The academies are a strong example of how the education and business
communities can work together to produce a more highly-skilled
workforce. The College & Career Ready Task Force will encourage
similar partnerships in additional schools throughout Alabama.
"The
key to economic strength in Alabama is a well-educated, well-trained
and prepared workforce, and our school district is working very hard to
meet this vital goal," Shelby County Superintendent Randy Fuller said.
"Many of the goals and objectives for the Governor's new task force are
being successfully modeled here in Shelby County, including a strong
focus on workforce development and partnerships
with business and industry. We also have a collaborative effort between
the school district, Jefferson State Community College and the
University of Montevallo through our very successful Vertical Teaming
Initiative."
The first meeting of the Governor's College & Career Ready Task Force is expected to take place within the next month.
