Your children are

the workforce of the future

JUNE 2008 - Summer vacation is almost here, if not here already for some. This time of year calls for sitting in front of the television in an air conditioned room, swimming in the pool in your best friend’s backyard or walking around the mall not being able to purchase those brand new fashion sunglasses at the new skate shop that you desperately need for walking under the hot, bright, summer sun.

Summer is a great time to relax but even a better time for students to find a part-time job and for employers to give students the chance to gain experience. It is difficult in this time of economic difficulty to find a job, especially with no experience, yet you cannot get experience without a job.

With the help of local businesses, students may be able to gain that experience and awareness to get them ready for their future career.

Interested local businesses are welcome to exhibit at the Career Jam this Fall 2008, hosted by Heald College and the Business Education Alliance (BEA), to help raise awareness among high school juniors and seniors from around the San Joaquin County. It is an important event to assist the students in their exploration of their career paths with local businesses and colleges.

Originally scheduled for May 16^th, this year’s Career Jam in the Fall would allow several advantages to businesses and academic institutions that are recruiting students for internships, jobs or admissions. Please check our website: www.bea2003.com for updates and more information about Career Jam 2008 in a couple months.

Looking into the next school year, there are exciting programs your school and business can get involved with though the BEA. One of the programs offered are the Down Under Tours for students at local schools to visit businesses in Stockton and San Joaquin County. This program helps students gain knowledge of potential career opportunities in the future.

There are many different methods your business can become involved with the Business Education Alliance. If your business is interested in becoming involved with the cultivation of our community’s workforce, feel free to contact the Business Education Alliance Coordinator, Jashmin J. Milan at (209) 547-2770 or e-mail bea@stocktonchamber.org.

BEA meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month. The next BEA meeting is on May 28^th at 3:30 PM at the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce. For more details, please check out www.bea2003.com.