Matching Content to Employers' Need for Students' benefit
In the Advisory Board meetings, employers talk more about the problems with employee attendance, following directions, accountability, goal setting, end-result thinking, and critical thinking more then computer skills or other skills we in the teaching business generally cover.
Our textbooks in computer training don't even cover the employers needs above.
So I try to stress the importance of following verbal or written directions, proofreading or editing, meeting deadlines, getting the job done, and figuring a problem out.
Hi David,
Well said. You are right on with your understanding of how you have to educate your students. They have to have the skills required of their career field or your school will soon be out of business.
Gary
If our school does not reflect what employers want, our students will have a difficult time finding jobs and keeping them. If we can get e reputation for producing graduates with relivant skills they will be sought after.
Hi David,
Good point about your students. They can only be as good as the instruction they receive. Good instructors and relevant content will help them to become graduates of a program of which everyone can be proud. Keep up the good work.
Gary
We try to take the suggestions of our PAB to heart. Our students are the product of our school, they should be good reflections on the quality of the product we turn out.
We too have a Program Advisory Board that we meet with three times a year. The number one complaint is that graduates lack soft skills. As employers, they simply will not hire someone with insufficient people skills (especially in the massage therapy field. In response, we have implemented soft skills development in several of our foundations classes so it is reinforced before our students start to work with the public.
Hi Glenda,
Thank you for the kinds words about the course. You are in an excellent position as an educator with the extensive experience you have had. I know your students will greatly benefit from your influence and guidance as their educational leader.
Gary
I came to the teaching environment with time on the books in the field. A techinician, manager/employer and participant in several industry educational advisory boards. Sharing work related stories with examples that relate to topics being taught can be useful in supporting the necessity of the info.
This course has given me some effective ways to share my experience and help others be successful in the field.
Thank you,
Glenda
Hi Fred,
It is amazing to me how often the "soft or career skills" are left out of the teaching process, including the texts. Nine out of ten jobs are lost due to the lack of soft skills. I commend you for your willingness to focus on these needs and try to help the students acquire these most essential skills. Keep up the good work.
Gary
