Industry partnerships add tremendous value to the depth and breadth of opportunities districts and schools can offer students throughout the school year. Business partners can provide professional expertise across different fields to staff and students, help guide and inform CTE programs to ensure strong workforce development efforts, and offer opportunities for students to get hands-on, real-world learning experiences. 

These relationships require time, energy, and intention to find points of shared purpose, plan efforts that are beneficial to the businesses and schools, and to coordinate longer-term efforts. Administrators can use the more flexible schedule of the summer months to cultivate relationships with local businesses, expand current programs and opportunities, and celebrate successes from ongoing partnerships. Use the ideas below to find creative ways to forge connections with businesses in your district. 

Host business leaders at the school district central office or at a CTE school site

Inviting current or potential industry partners to visit the superintendent and district administrators at the central office or at a school site with CTE program facilities can be a great way to show that the district welcomes partnerships with local businesses and is excited to collaborate on career development efforts. These meetings can provide opportunities to help explain college and career readiness goals and programs to local businesses, answer questions about possibilities and logistics, and brainstorm other ways to work together. Administrators might consider having current industry partners share success stories to help inspire others and spark ideas for future opportunities. 

Have a monthly meet-up with local business representatives‍

The idea of a formal industry partnership with a district or school can be overwhelming or too abstract for local businesses to readily volunteer. Consider finding more informal ways to connect with local business leaders to begin building relationships and discussing ways to support career readiness programs that might also be beneficial for local businesses. Administrators might have a monthly, more casual meet up at a nearby restaurant where local business representatives are welcome to stop by and network with one another as well as district staff. These kinds of meetings can plant the initial seeds that lead to collaborations with the district, individual schools, or specific CTE programs. 

Attend business roundtable events or chamber of commerce meetings

‍A school system is a critical part of workforce development efforts within a community. Consider attending local gatherings of business leaders with the explicit intention of hearing their current and anticipated workforce needs, ideas for ways schools can help fill gaps, and to find points of intersection with CTE programs and training. These efforts can also go far in signaling to the local business community that district administrators value their input and want to find ways to partner. 

Spotlight student interns and their business hosts through the summer

‍An incredible way some industry partners support schools is by providing opportunities for students to work as interns over the summer months. Have someone from the district communications team spotlight some of these experiences. Consider sharing interviews and photos on district social media sites and be sure to show gratitude for the business hosts and point out what they are contributing. District administrators might visit some of these work sites to say thank you and share in the celebration of the work. These efforts communicate to the broader community that the school district values industry partners and can encourage others to find ways to collaborate with the district. 

Connect CTE directors and career counselors with local businesses

‍It sometimes falls to individual CTE directors or career counselors to establish industry partnerships or find work-based learning opportunities that are relevant for their specific CTE programs and students. District administrators can deploy the weight of the district to find more systematic ways to connect local businesses with the CTE programs that make the most sense. Consider using time over the summer to plan a back-to-school meet and greet for CTE educators and career counselors and invite local businesses interested in collaborating. Having a centralized gathering can make it easier to connect programs with relevant business partners.

Be an Ambassador for Industry Partnerships

It is critical that businesses see these partnerships as valuable to them as well as the district and community. Administrators can help promote the value and contribution of industry partners in broader corporate and community settings by offering to speak at a company meeting or gathering on the value of the relationship for ongoing partners who have contributed time and energy to supporting career development efforts. District administrators can co-present with industry partners at a conference or speak together at community events, showcasing their work. They can find ways to invite student participants to share their positive experiences and inspire others to take part in these kinds of collaborations. Regularly honoring the benefits of these partnerships can build  all around good will toward district-business relationships and foster a culture of community collaboration where all are invested in the career readiness and development of local students.