Promoting Efforts that Combine Academic Courses with Real-Life Learning to Improve Student Achievement

Overview: The National Employer Leadership Council: Leading the Way

The NELC advocates and supports School-to-Careers (STC) initiatives combining Classroom courses and real-life learning to ensure all students meet high standards, and therefore, preparing them for continuing education and the cutting-edge jobs of the 21st Century.

Individuals with strong academic skills have the greatest opportunities to succeed in today's competitive workplace. As a result, a growing number of employers are working with schools to help high school students develop academic knowledge and practical skills in initiatives referred to as "School-to-Careers."

At the center of this movement is the National Employer Leadership Council (NELC) — a coalition of senior executives representing a diverse group of companies, trade associations, and business organizations.

The NELC advocates and supports School-to-Careers initiatives combining classroom courses with real-life learning to ensure all students meet high standards, and therefore, preparing them for continuing education and the cutting-edge jobs of the 21st century.

NELC's goals are to

Build Business Leadership and Advocacy to promote STC

Position STC as a means of Increasing Academic Achievement

Expand the number of Quality STC Inititatives

The NELC supports efforts combining academic courses with real-life learning which improves student achievement by

promoting employer leadership
providing a unified business voice
involving schools and educators
highlighting effective practices
and developing quality products.

One in four companies are participating in these initiatives, referred to as "School-to-Careers." (STC)

Employers providing students with work-based learning opportunities know the value to the students. Employer benefits include reduced recruitment, training and supervision costs, reduced turnover and higher productivity.

The NELC serves as a central resource to employers who are either in the process of getting involved in School-to-Careers or advancing current efforts.

To fully understand The Business View on School-to-Careers Initiatives read the Joint Business Statement on STC

Take a look at the popular NELC resource, The Employer Participation Model , developed to help employers build STC systems, work with students and teachers, and strengthen their own company STC practices

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