Community and industry partnerships are key to long-term career success, says Kashif Henderson, executive director, Neighborhood Learning Alliance in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His organization is part of that community collaboration, providing K-12 students with enrichment services and career opportunities.
He says, “We really focus on how do we support family, students, and communities alongside schools to provide students the best chances possible to reach their dreams.”
Henderson joined WorkingNation’s editor-in-chief Ramona Schindelheim for WorkingNation Overheard at College Board Forum 2024 in Austin, Texas.
He says, “When we think about our industry partners, it’s really essential to think about the health of the region. We’re going to go say, ‘Here is our talent and how do we keep the talent that we have right here – be able to stay here in the city and meet the needs of the industry while meeting their needs and dreams.”
Henderson highlights one of the organization’s partners, “We partner with Partner4Work in the Pittsburgh region. They’re our workforce development board for Allegheny and Pittsburgh. We are one of their larger providers for learn-and-earn summer programs.”
The young people spend half of their day focused on academic skills and during the second half of the day, they are afforded internship experiences.
Henderson explains that trust is a factor in the organization’s outreach, “When we really think about our recruitment model, it’s families and students recruiting other peers in their communities to participate in the program.
“It’s school counselors and teachers who are recommending students. We have the support of district leaders who will help market the program. And then on top of that with the industry partners and the university partners who are on board alongside of us, to just make sure that we can provide as many opportunities as possible to our youth.”
Learn more about Neighborhood Learning Alliance.
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