The vast majority of youth employment programs do not have well developed strategies for turning the first use of their services by employers into a relationship building continuum that goes from the initial connection to becoming partners and on to businesses becoming highly engaged to the point that they become the champions of the youth employment program. Champions will donate money to your program. They can work with you to develop career pathways. They can set up mentoring and employer volunteer initiatives and job shadowing opportunities and do much more to help your youth and your program. Champions can connect you with other businesses and business associations to expand your employer connections so more businesses use your services. They can be mobilized to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in their businesses and influence other companies to do the same.

This session for Executive Directors, program management and staff will give you the fundamental principles and strategies you need to take your initial employer relationships to the next level so they can become a springboard to employer engagement. Participants will get a full menu of activities that are designed to heighten the level of business connections with their organizations. Find out how to avoid the most common mistakes youth workforce programs make as they as they attempt to engage businesses so you can avoid these engagement blockers. This workshop will take your organization to a completely new level of relationship with the private sector!