5 Things Businesses Want from Arizona Schools

Toyota Financial recently asked the Chandler Chamber of Commerce and the city of Chandler to create a presentation for prospective employees that may relocate here to Chandler. Education was a very important part of that presentation.

When an employer is asking an employee to relocate across country or accept a job in a new state, those families want to make sure they are making the right move for everyone in their family.

Here’s some of the top things businesses want from schools for their workforce.

Diverse opportunities

They want to know about the quality of education offered in the neighborhoods in and around the location of the business. Are there gifted classes, STEM diplomas, college prep, a variety of languages and athletics?  Businesses need options for diverse employees. There has to be public, private and charter opportunities.

Quality

What is the quality of instruction? Are instructors recognized at state and national levels? Chandler is fortunate boasting 66 A+/Blue Ribbon school awards since 1983. How does that compare with the success rate of the students in the schools? In 2014, Chandler Unified School District’s graduates earned more than $90 million in scholarships and over 21,700 hours of college credits.

Scheduling

What do the school-year calendars look like? Is it year-round or are there long summer breaks? How do the calendars flow between the many different types of schools?

Afterschool programs and care

Is daycare available? Many parents need daycare after the school day ends and there are many district, private and community organizations available to cater to that need. Businesses want to know that their employees have safe, dependable daycare available in their neighborhoods. Some businesses even offer day care.

Beyond K-12

If businesses want to hold on to those employees for the long haul, higher education is important not only for their families but for the employees themselves. Businesses want to encourage personal and professional growth of their employees. Many corporations will pay for the continuing education of their employees and they need to have credible options to choose from. Fortunately the Valley offers private and state universities along with one of the best community college systems in the country.

For the most part, businesses want to know the education offered in and around their locations will cater to the needs of the employees they want to keep and attract. In, Chandler they want the assurance that their current employees will have accredited options to continue their education.

The Chandler School District has been a positive force in drawing new companies and businesses to the city. Their innovative, interactive classrooms offer a unique take on education, and has drawn many of our Price corridor companies to this area.

On the flip side, students graduating from our universities in the STEM areas will be snapped up by these same companies. While it is important to attract a diverse workforce from other areas of the country, the talent coming out of our own universities and colleges offers a quality selection of future employees.

Terri Kimble is president and CEO of the Chandler Chamber of Commerce.

via AZCentral.com | View Original Story Here

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