Who are they?
Business and industry advisors are volunteers who serve as advisors to one or more of our vocational programs. Because they possess a working knowledge of the competency requirements for specific occupations, these advisors can provide valuable professional guidance and assistance to teachers and the vocational programs which they teach.
Advisors may be representatives from:
- Business and industry
- Labor
- Community agencies
- Schools
- Media
- Former students
- Parents of current students
- Elected officials
- Service organizations
What do they do?
Because of their knowledge of the constantly changing world of work and their close connections with our communities, career technical advisors may:
- Assist in identifying needs, determining priorities, and reviewing and evaluating career technical programs
- Provide information and recommendations to update, modify, expand, and improve the quality of career technical education curricula
- Strengthen the relationship between business, industry, community and education
- Aid in communicating long-term goals and objectives of career technical programs to parents, employers, and the community.
Vocational advisors also may be asked to assist with:
- Student recruitment
- Student placement
- Evaluation of facilities and equipment
- Staff development
- Community needs
- Legislative support
- Ballot issue support
- Vocational student organization support
How can you become an effective business and industry advisor?
The skills you need to be an effective advisor are:
- A genuine interest in young people
- Knowledge of community needs
- A willingness to explore new ideas
- Time to devote to the committee
- Insight into changing business and industry needs
- A cooperative spirit
- Leadership abilities
- Good communication skills
If you wish to volunteer to be considered as a program advisor, please call 419-289-3313 or 1-800-686-3313 in Ohio or contact us through this website.