Throughout the nation, many students are graduating from high school unprepared for the real-life demands of the workplace and college. Salem-Keizer's program, Ready to Learn - Ready to Work is bringing the school district, Salem and Keizer Chambers of Commerce and local employers together to bridge the gap and prepare graduates for success in the future. 

Launched with E3's help on January 1, 2007, Ready to Learn - Ready to Work helps students understand why academic success and career skills are important and relevant to their future.  Local employers help students meet new career-related graduation requirements, such as communications, teamwork and problem-solving skills, by helping classroom lessons come alive with guest speakers, workplace tours, mock interviews, job shadows, service learning, internships, mentoring, and career fairs.

Community Update

State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo announced in April 2008 that Ready to Learn - Ready to Work has been named one of seven recipients of the 2008 Outstanding Community/School Partnership Awards. This is the third year that Castillo has recognized Outstanding Community/School Partnerships, and each one was selected based on its dedicated mission, diverse participants and partnerships, sustainable funding, meaningful programs, and attainable goals.

In March 2008, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce highlighted Ready to Learn - Ready to Work as "leading the way in workforce development and education" on their website.

In only its first six months, the program has made a significant impact directly affecting over 3,000 students.  Employers donated over 320 hours working with students in all 7 of the districts high schools.  The Leadership Team is focused on recruiting more employers to participate in the program when school starts again in the fall.

Initial employers involved in the program include PGE, Salem Hospital, US Bank, Roth's Family Markets, State Farm Insurance, T-Mobile, Washington Mutual, Premier Communications, Oregon Employment Department, Oregon Department of Human Services, Enterprise for Employment and Education and many others.  

A web site provides additional information and tools for students and employers who are interested in participating in the program.

Please visit www.workandlearnnow.com.

Thank You Founding Leadership Team!

Advanced Economic Solutions
Keizer Chamber of Commerce
Nielsen Manufacturing
Oregon Employment Department
PGE
Puentes Brothers
Roth's Family Market
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce
Salem Hospital
Salem-Keizer School Board

Salem-Keizer Public Schools
US Bank
Ventura Foods
Wachovia