With the new school year beginning, students will return to a variety of programs aimed to prepare them for entering the workforce.  Many of our local school districts encourage or even require students to job shadow.

The Education Committee of the Venango Chamber is working to identify how we can assist businesses in being prepared for requests for students to spend time with them.  As with any learning experience, a job shadow will be most meaningful if both the student and the business have considered and agreed on the expectations for their time spent together.

We will be asking businesses to complete a short online form, if they are willing to host a student and provide specific information that a student will need to know before requesting to shadow.

Some businesses may have limitations on what areas they can allow students into, due to safety or confidentiality, but many can still provide a glimpse into why a student should consider a future in a specific line of work.

“Businesses throughout the county and across all industries have expressed they are struggling to find qualified and willing workers,” Chamber President Susan Williams shares.

“We believe the very best way to prepare students today for jobs tomorrow is to invite them into businesses, where they can observe the skills or education needed to pursue a vocation available here in Venango County. It is important for them to see where family and friends are employed and ideally exemplify pride in the work they do.”

If your business welcomes students, please complete our form at: www.venangochamber.org/job-shadow

This article was published in the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce’s September 2018 edition of the VenangoWorks! Newsletter.