National Award Spotlights CBIA Workforce Development Efforts

06.16.2016
Media Center

CBIA Education and Workforce Partnership program manager Dayl Walker has been recognized by NAF for her work and commitment to high school students.
Walker was awarded NAF’s Advisory Board Champions Award, which recognizes individuals who exercise extraordinary leadership in ensuring students have the opportunity to participate in work-based learning activities designed to prepare them for college, career and future success.
Hartford Public High School’s Academy of Engineering and Green Technology provides real-world internships for students at CBIA member companies, offers transformative project-based learning experiences, and incorporates ongoing access to businesses through its advisory board.
Much of that work at CBIA is overseen by Walker.
“The academy’s success is the result of many invested partners, but its sustainability is a testament to Dayl’s dedication to the school and its students,” said CBIA Education and Workforce Partnership executive director Andrea Comer.
“Her indefatigable approach to connecting businesses, students, and school staff energizes us all.”
As a NAF academy, AEGT is required to provide students with work-based learning experiences.
In 2013, students designed and built a hybrid wind-solar generating system now providing power to a remote Nepalese village.
Two years later, they delivered two more power systems to schools in the Nepalese villages of Namdo and Karang.
“The work we do would be impossible without an exceptional principal like Mike Maziarz, dedicated teachers like Dave Mangus and others, and all our wonderful, energetic, challenging, inspiring, students,” Walker said.
“What we have accomplished would also be impossible without the continued support of the business community, and United Technologies Corp.’s exceptional, ongoing commitment over the last eight years.”
“On behalf of the Hartford Public Schools, I would like to congratulate Dayl Walker and CBIA for this well-deserved recognition,” said Superintendent Beth Schiavino-Narvaez.
“Her exceptional work at the Academy of Engineering and Green Technology is deeply appreciated by our students and their families, our school leaders, and all district staff.”
The CBIA Education and Workforce Partnership helped create the academy in 2009. It currently serves over 370 students.
“The success of our network depends heavily on the dedication and support of our invaluable advisory board members,” NAF President JD Hoye said.
“It is from their perspective and industry experience that our students gain access to the most relevant opportunities that will help prepare them for their futures in our nation’s workforces within the fastest-growing industries.
The expertise and commitment of these members once again prove that when education and business work together, we all succeed.”
Walker will receive the award at the NAF conference in July.


The CBIA Education & Workforce Partnership works with member businesses and other groups statewide to strengthen the talent pipeline and encourage economic growth in order to support the development of a skilled, knowledgeable workforce in Connecticut. For more information, please contact Meaghan MacDonald (860.244.1957).
NAF is a national network of education, business, and community leaders who work together to ensure high school students are college, career, and future ready. NAF’s educational design ignites students’ passion for learning and gives businesses the opportunity to shape America’s future workforce by transforming the learning environment to include STEM infused industry-specific curricula and work-based learning experiences, including internships.

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