The Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education (ACPE) recently awarded the Greater Flagstaff Chamber the 2013 Pathways to Postsecondary Education Award at a ceremony at the Renaissance Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. The award recognizes outstanding college access programs that prepare, encourage and transition students into postsecondary education.
The award is in recognition of the Flagstaff Chamber’s signature workforce development initiative “Skills 4 Workplace Success,” in partnership with Flagstaff Unified School District. This initiative partners Chamber member businesses with middle- and high-school classrooms to explore careers available at local companies and the baseline employability skills that are necessary to obtain and keep a job.
The Commission stated, “Your program exemplifies an outstanding effort to support students into postsecondary success. We look forward to recognizing you for significant leadership in the field of college outreach.”
Julie Pastrick, president and CEO of the Flagstaff Chamber, who received the award on behalf of the organization, said, “We thank Superintendent Barbara Hickman, Flagstaff Unified School District teachers, and local member businesses for their dedication to local youth college and career readiness. Skills 4 Workplace Success matches businesses with classrooms during the school year to introduce students to the ‘soft’ or ‘life’ skills they will need to be successful in the workplace. The initiative also illustrates, from an employer perspective, that successful career opportunities are open in Flagstaff and the academic rigor and skills necessary to attain them. An offshoot of the program is an internship initiative that matches specific students with businesses for meaningful work experiences.”
More than 30 Flagstaff businesses are involved with classrooms this year, including APS, Architectural Design Studio, AZ Bikes, Boyer Heating & Cooling, Cabinets by Sunray, the Coconino County Attorney’s Office, East Flagstaff Family Medicine, FLG Media, Goodwill Industries of Northern Arizona, Joy Cone Co., Little America, Loven Contracting, Mother Road Brewery, Mountain Heart, Nestle Purina PetCare, North Country HealthCare, Pathogene, Prent, Pulliam Airport, Pure Elegance, Satchmo’s, Second Chance Center for Animals, Terry Marxen Cadillac/Chevrolet, TGen North, The Print Raven, The Sweet Shoppe, Tom Alexander Photography, Wells Fargo, Western Technologies and W.L. Gore & Associates.
For more information about the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce and the “Skills 4 Workplace Success” initiative, please visit flagstaffchamber.com or email Kerry Bennett kbennett@flagstaffchamber.com. For more information about the Pathways to Postsecondary Education Award, visit azhumancapital.com.