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Updated: July 30, 2024

How to engage parents and educators to build career awareness

By John Lewis, Synergy Workforce Solutions

In our efforts to bridge the skills gap, we often focus on students and job seekers, but another crucial group significantly shapes career choices: parents and educators.

Photo / Courtesy, Synergy Workforce Solutions
John Lewis, co-founder and managing partner of Synergy Workforce Solutions

Engaging parents and educators in career awareness can guide students toward fulfilling and in-demand careers, particularly in skilled trades and technical fields.

To truly make an impact, industry and employers must take the lead in this initiative.

Parents and educators hold significant influence over a student’s career decisions.

They offer advice, share experiences, and provide encouragement. Yet traditional views often dominate, equating success with a bachelor's degree and overlooking the vast opportunities in vocational and technical careers. Here, industry leaders must step in to change these perceptions and open minds to new possibilities.

Changing perceptions about “non-traditional” career pathways involves providing accurate, up-to-date information about vocational and technical careers' opportunities and benefits.

Industry leaders can share data from the Maine Department of Labor showing that nearly 60% of jobs in Maine require education beyond high school but less time and cost than a four-year degree. Highlighting earnings potential and showing how these opportunities align with personal goals can illustrate the viability of these careers.

Employers can host workshops and information sessions for parents and educators to effectively disseminate this information.

Schools, including home school programs, and industries must collaborate to provide real world insights into various career paths. This collaboration can include career fairs, industry visits, guest lectures, and hands-on learning experiences like internships, apprenticeships and job shadowing. These events, where skilled trades people demonstrate their work, help demystify these professions and allow students to envision similar career journeys.

Encouraging parents and educators to support these opportunities provides students with valuable insights and practical skills.

Programs allowing students to earn credits while gaining real-world experience can bridge the gap between education and employment. For example, efforts to allow Career and Technical Education students to earn math credits are a step forward, but high demand and limited capacity means not all students can participate.

Integrating hands-on experiences into traditional classrooms can reach a broader audience.

Employers must take the lead in creating and offering these opportunities, ensuring they are accessible to all students. We must also not forget the approximately 10,000 home-school students in Maine. Tailoring these experiences for this community requires different strategies and tailored outreach.

While technical skills are crucial, soft skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving are equally important in vocational and technical careers. With the assistance of industry, educators should integrate these skills into their curricula, and parents should encourage their children to participate in activities that build these
competencies.

Examples include sports, which teach teamwork and strategic thinking; debate clubs, which enhance communication and problem-solving abilities; and community-service projects, which foster empathy and collaboration.

Emphasizing the role of soft skills in career success prepares students for modern workforce demands.

Employers can provide insights and training on these skills, reinforcing their importance in the workplace. The journey to bridge the skills gap in Maine requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, with industry and employers leading the charge.

By changing perceptions, providing resources, encouraging hands-on experiences, and fostering collaboration between schools and industries, we can guide students toward fulfilling and in-demand careers. The growing trend of students considering pathways other than a four-year degree signifies a shift. It is our responsibility to equip them with the information and tools they need to succeed.

Engaging parents and educators in career awareness is not just beneficial — it's essential.

Their support and guidance, coupled with industry-led initiatives, can significantly influence students' career choices, helping build a more skilled and adaptable workforce for the future.

By closing the awareness gap among these key influencers and leading the charge, employers and industry can make significant strides in addressing the skills gap and ensuring a prosperous future for all.

About the author

John Lewis is co-founder and managing partner at Synergy Workforce Solutions LLC, which is a core member of the Manufacturing Association of Maine’s subcommittee on Employee Growth Services. He can be reached at john@synworkforce.com.

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