Business & Education Partnership

Participation is good for the kids, good for
the community and is good business.

The goal of the Business & Education Partnership Program is to institute effective education and workforce development programs emphasizing partnership connections between Bay County businesses and schools.

The Partnership Council consists of members of Bay County’s businesses, working in conjunction with representatives of school districts in Bay County.

The workforce of tomorrow will need opportunities both inside and outside the classroom that connect learning to what’s happening in the world of work.  A challenge this big requires business and education to work together.

The Partnership programs are essential to broadening and enriching the learning community for today’s students with the skills, abilities, and knowledge needed to succeed. Programs encourage collaboration and cooperation which are key to creating education systems that work for all stakeholders: student, employer, parent, and community.

With the Chamber’s Partnership programs, businesses work directly with students and educators through job shadowing, mentoring, career talks, apprenticeship, and internship programs.  These activities expose elementary and secondary students to a variety of careers and the education and training required to pursue them.

Partnership programs are solely funded by donations and sponsorships from education and the private sector. A council and task team made up of business and educational members provide direction and implementation of programs.

Business in Education Partnership programs annually serve over 17,000 students in 39 public and parochial elementary schools in Bay County, 6 middle schools and 7 high schools. 

PROGRAMS INCLUDE:

• Opportunity Connection: Internet-based resource with hundreds of opportunities for
  students and educators.
• Youth Education & Training Expo: Provides a “one-stop” venue for 8th-12th grade
  students and their parents to explore college, employment, career, and key high school
  related activities.
• Saginaw Valley Regional Summer Institute: Workshop for employers and educators
  to prepare youth for the future workplace.
• Making School Matter: Communicates to students the connection between academics
  and attendance and a lifetime of career success.
• Principal For A Day: Business partners are included in daily activities at a school.
• Business & Education Fall Forum: Business, community, and educational leaders
  meet to discuss and learn about educational and employment issues.
• Counselor Forums: Conversations for employers and educators.
• Reading is Bay County’s Business: Volunteers read aloud to classrooms and also
  discuss their occupations.
• Jerome L. Yantz Partner in Education Award:  Presented to a business person or
  business organization that volunteers time, inspires interest in education, and encourages
  others to do the same.

ABOVE: Play a part in Business in Education programs by enjoying being a "Principal For A Day" (left) or reading aloud to a classroom full of children and talking about your occupation (right) by participating in Reading is Bay County's Business.