Building a Skilled Workforce for Connecticut's Businesses
Key considerations
- Determine the age group of your visitors and plan your day's activities accordingly.
- Prepare your employees for the visit, encouraging them to share information about their work and answer students' questions. (See FAQ.) Ask teachers to help students brainstorm questions ahead of time.
- Give a brief overview and history of your company. Discuss challenges your business will face in the coming years and critical skills you look for in new hires.
- Show and tell—intersperse your presentation with demonstrations of products, props, and processes.
- Provide takeaways, if possible. A bookmark, coupon, or sample product helps students remember their visit and share information with their families. Depending on students' age level, you might want to distribute an annual report, organizational and workflow charts, and materials such as your company newsletter or promotional brochures.
- Distribute a teacher survey to help you evaluate, refine, and improve your visits.
Learn about student internships, mentoring, job shadowing, and teacher externships. Return to Business and Education Partnerships.
What are company visits?
Company visits are a way for you to
- showcase your products and services to young people in your community
- enhance your public image and build your brand
- meet students who may become prospective customers or employees
Open your doors to students and teachers from area schools. Invite them to take a guided tour of your facilities and learn more about what you do.
Time commitment: 1-3 hours
Grade level: Company visits are generally appropriate for any grade level and can be tailored to meet the needs and abilities of a particular age group.
Benefits to students
- see firsthand how a business operates and begin to understand how it fits into the local, state, and national economies
- become familiar with products and services generated by Connecticut companies
- gain exposure to the world of work, learn about what your employees do and the skills they need for the job, and explore potential careers
