|
1. Provide
a description of employer’s long-term commitment to school- and work-based learning.
Also, describe evolution or progress in the employer’s level of involvement.
From at least as far back as 12 years ago, the BF Goodrich (BFG) Director of
Human Resources has been an active member of the Hannaford Career Center (HCC) board
representing industry, and BFG employees serve on a host of Advisory Councils designing
curriculum, assisting with facility development, and establishing educational competencies.
The company has displayed a very high level of interest and support for HCC’s education
and training mission during this entire time, including providing high tech equipment,
matching funds, direct grants, scholarships, supplies, expert instruction in the
classroom and onsite at the plant. Contributions of equipment have increased in recent
years: BFG has donated a vertical CNC machine (approx value $200,000), and a floating
comparitor (approx. value $35,000, an extremely sensitive measurement device necessary
for precision machining).
BFG was instrumental in the conversion to computers at Vergennes Union High School
starting three years ago. They provided hardware, software and technicians to handle
installation and networking. They still provide technical assistance when needed.
As the Career Center’s mission has evolved, so has BFG support. For example, they
have provided financial contributions toward development of a new Academy, which
will allow HCC to establish a cluster approach to studies of occupations, providing
students with interdisciplinary connections between academics and technical educators
within the center.
As new funding sources have become available to us, BFG has stepped in with additional
contributions to match major grants, most recently from the Freeman Foundation and
the State of Vermont
2. Describe and give examples of innovation and creativity in the approaches and
techniques used by this employer.
Hallmarks of BFG support are the depth and range of commitment, and flexibility
in providing support. They will provide expert instruction in the classroom as well
as onsite. They will donate equipment as well as provide financial aid to match other
funding sources. They will provide supplies as well as personnel. They offer paid
summer internships for teachers, and also sit on advisory councils that develop curriculum
and competency standards. Their employees act as mentors as well as sponsoring job
shadowing.
Recently BFG donated a software package to HCC that is used for measuring manufacturing
plant compliance with ISO 2000. This allows our students to learn what is required
of state-of-the-art manufacturing processes. This is an example of the lengths BFG
will go to in order to help us stay current.
BFG financial support of post-secondary education for students is unique. BFG
supports scholarships for students entering engineering fields in college. Students
receive a large stipend toward tuition, as well as a guarantee of employment during
summer. However, BFG provides this support without requiring the student to make
a long term commitment to work for the company. In other words, they are simply interested
in providing expanded educational opportunities in the field of engineering for our
region’s students.
BFG has provided a tutoring program in math and science at the Vergennes Union High
School. When educators or students themselves identify a need for individualized
tutoring, BFG employees come to the school for a full block (90 minutes) of time,
which is scheduled in partnership between students and tutor.
Through the Learn to Earn program, classroom presentations about career opportunities
have introduced students to jobs that are available in math, science and engineers
with two or four years of post-secondary education. Until the presentation by a BFG
employee who is a VTC graduate, students didn’t realize that well-paying and satisfying
jobs were available with "only" two more years of schooling.
3. Describe and give examples of the level of personal and professional investment
(time, resources) made by this employer in STW activities and programs.
Every area of the Hannaford Career Center’s operations is supported by BFG. Employees
donate hours of time on advisory boards. Goodrich employs teachers in the summer
to work with employees on special projects, providing valuable professional development
in a team environment. They are always available to provide job shadowing and mentoring
for the Vergennes School District.
Along with equipment donations, BFG provides personnel for set up and to teach operation.
They particularly focus on teaching the teachers. Also, they provide free technical
support for their donations – repair and troubleshooting, setting tolerances, de-bugging.
The best teachers are those who work on site, and BFG is always willing to visit
the classroom.
The tutoring program at the High School is another example of the personal and time
commitment BFG is always willing to make.
They never stop giving and they never stop helping, and they choose good people from
the plant to work with the students.
4. Describe and give examples of whether students/educators respect and approve
of the employer’s programs. Also, provide evidence of the impact of programs on the
academic performance of students and/or professional development of educators.
The great value of BFG to the region’s education system is acknowledged by each
invitation extended to them to serve in a new advisory capacity. (They serve on literally
each advisory committee at the Hannaford Career Center.) Their commitment is demonstrated
by their acceptance of these many invitations. Educators consider the BFG staff who
participate on these committees as being there to act as validators for what is being
done in training and education programs.
Educators from both the Career Center and the High School have worked at BFG during
the summer through the VTIP program. Two VHS math teachers worked together one summer,
and when they came back said they realized that two of the math courses were teaching
were useless. As a result of the VTIP experience at BFG, they re-vamped the math
program and changed two courses fundamentally to better prepare students to meet
future career needs. At least six VHS teachers have spent time at BFG through VTIP.
Numerous VHS students have also worked with closely with engineers. One student went
through the welding program at BFG with a certified welder for entire school year
(two semesters). One student who interned at BFG went on to R.P.I. He already had
a good idea of what he wanted to do, but his internship at BFG helped him know he
was making a good decision.
This Gold Zone nomination is co-sponsored by educators from three different institutions,
all of whom have had positive experiences with BF Goodrich. Furthermore, these three
nominators are all part of Addison County STW and Workforce Investment Board leadership.
With their combined breadth of experience in education, STW and current workforce
development efforts, they all have agreed upon BF Goodrich as most worthy of this
nomination in 2000.
5. Describe and give examples of the leadership this employer provides in regional
STW and/or other business-education partnerships, highlighting efforts to promote
sustainability.
As a company that served on the founding board of STW in Addison County, BFG
was one of the earliest leaders and champions. They have always set a great example
and high standard for other employers in the region.
One of the greatest contributions they’ve made to sustainability is their extraordinary
generosity in donating equipment and providing free technical assistance. These are
costs that could not be borne by school budgets, and allow educators to provide advanced
training and experience to dozens of students each year.
There donations of matching funds also help us to leverage more support for STW efforts.
6. Referring to the detailed award criteria, please list the types of activities
in which the nominee is involved:
School-based Learning
- Assist students
in exploring career options
- Assist schools
in linking school activities with activities in the workplace.
- Act as a tutor
for students
- Work with
schools in curriculum development or revisions
- Establish
teacher internships to expose teachers to skills needed in today's employer environment.
Work-Based
Learning
- Provide job
shadowing opportunities for students
- Design, develop
and provide student internships
Connecting
Activities
- Provide assistance
to School-To-Work participants in finding jobs or continuing their education
7. Please
provide the following data:
(a) # of students
involved in these activities in the last year/12 months. 50-60
(b) # of educators involved in these activities in the last year/12 months. 3-5
(b) # of employees involved in these activities during the last year/12 months.
6-8
8./9. Required:
Attach a testimonial (one page or less) from a student or educator describing her/his
experiences with this nominee (see attached). (NOTE: See link below)
10. Silver Zone Score sheet (see attached) (NOTE: Not included on the
web version)
|
