RISC of SHRM Workforce Readiness News

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RHODE ISLAND STATE COUNCIL
Society for Human Resource Management

Workforce Readiness

by Deb Quinn, RISC of SHRM Workforce Readiness Coordinator

Senior Judging at PAIS Helps Students to Gain Valuable Skills

The senior class at Providence Academy of International Studies (PAIS), students have completed research on selected subjects. The last part of their assignment was to make an oral presentation in defense of their paper along with an action plan they feel may/could solve their chosen subject.

They are the second class at PAIS to receive this assignment. It is now a graduation requirement that began for the academic year 2007-2008. Judges were briefed as to why PAIS has chosen the Senior Oral Presentation route as best for their students. Judges then receive training on the use of the rubric (an evaluation/assessment tool) in evaluating the presentations. In each classroom, judges evaluated student presentations along with a Q & A session.

The experience is rewarding for all who participate. Judges typically are amazed at the detailed oral presentations, accompanied by poster board or PowerPoint presentations and handouts. The students present and answer questions on their topic of choice. The Senior Judging is a great opportunity for the students to gain valuable skills they will need in the workplace. It is also a great opportunity for Human Resource professionals to support student Workforce Readiness competencies.

SHRM and Ground Hog Job Shadow Day

Kicking off annually on February 2, Groundhog Job Shadow Day is a part of a year-long national effort to enrich the lives of students by acquainting them with the world of work through on-the-job experiences and a carefully crafted school curriculum that ties academics to the workplace. SHRM participated in and sponsored the program this year.

Job Shadowing gives over one million students across America the opportunity to "shadow" a workplace mentor as he or she goes through a normal day on the job. This gives young people a chance to see how the skills they learn in school relate to the workplace.

Ground Hog Shadow Day...

Demonstrates the connection between academics and careers;
Builds community partnerships between schools and businesses;
Introduces students to the requirements of the profession;
Encourages an ongoing relationship between young people and caring adults;
Encourages that students in need of additional services are linked to the appropriate programs.

For more information and an online How-To Guide providing you with information, tips, and other materials needed to coordinate a successful job shadowing event, go to www.jobshadow.org or contact Lee Lewis, President of RI Junior Achievement at 401-331-3850 x 13, llewis_rija@att.net.

In its tenth year, national Job Shadow Day is a coordinated effort of America's Promise - the Alliance for Youth, Junior Achievement, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM),the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), and the U.S. Department of Labor.