Partnership Agreement

PRO — Pursuing Real Opportunities — is a community-wide initiative to develop a more skilled local workforce. It is a collaboration of Amarillo Economic Development Corporation, Amarillo ISD and Amarillo College. The program will target industries that currently have the greatest workforce needs including:

• Architecture and Construction
• Finance
• Manufacturing
• Transportation, Distribution and Logistics

Many students, parents and adult career seekers have a perception that a four-year degree is the only option for students after high school. However, Amarillo employers and education partners offer viable training and resources to prepare individuals for successful careers in technical fields and skilled labor.

PRO will leverage community partnerships and resources to make high school and community college students, parents and adult career seekers aware of the career options that exist in Amarillo and the surrounding areas. PRO will bridge the gap that exists between employers/businesses and capable employees to help develop a flourishing local workforce.

As a business partner, you are asked to be involved in one or more of the following areas.

• Online Company Profile — An important part of the program is a Web site targeting the four audiences relevant to PRO: high school and community college students, parents, adult career seekers and businesses. On this Web site, there are Company Profiles that include all pertinent information that a potential employee needs to know about the company. It features video tours of the facility, job opportunities and several other useful components.
• Internship — An arrangement between PRO and community members to provide meaningful work-based learning opportunities for students. Students spend four to six hours each week gaining on-the-job training experiences.
• Mentorship — An arrangement between PRO and community members to provide students the opportunity to spend two to three half days per semester gaining on-the-job training.
• Job Shadowing — An arrangement between PRO and community members to provide students the opportunity to spend an entire day shadowing an employee at his/her job site.
• Tours — Provide short visits to your company guided by employees to showcase the company and its facilities.

Responsibilities

Business Partners

• Create an online company profile on the PRO Web site
• Allow PRO to do an online video tour of your facility
• Host tours of business and provide job shadowing opportunities
• Provide mentors/supervisors for students and/or adult job seekers and ensure they will attend mentorship training
• Assist local instructors in developing and keeping training updated and relevant
• Provide meaningful and relevant work experiences

PRO Team

• Organize tours
• Meet with candidates to ensure quality participants
• Assist in placement of candidates based upon their interests
• Work with Intern Supervisor to design work experience
• Organize mentorship training
• Provide evaluation forms and support to Intern Supervisor

Benefit/Anticipated Outcomes

• Supports the goals of Panhandle Twenty/20 as related to "Educational Attainment" and implementation of "Inspire Me."
• Businesses have the opportunity to contribute to the education of high school and community college students and are able to partner with educational institutions to provide opportunities.
• Community members gain access to and can hire from a pool of quality employees.
• Parents gain support in assisting their children with career guidance and decisions.
• High school and community college students have the opportunity to gain work experience that will assist them in making career decisions and will be able to add this experience to their professional résumés.
• High school and community college students witness first-hand the correlation of academic and technical skills as applied in the world of work.
• Alignment and streamlining of AISD and AC programs.