Education Partnerships: What Businesses Can Expect
It’s clear that a growing number of companies are engaging in business-education partnerships.
According to a recent survey from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Center for Workforce Preparation and the National Association of Manufacturers, education is:
- the #1 social issue that companies support philanthropically
- the #1 social issue that companies believe they should play a role in
- the #3 social issue companies believe affects the country’s long-term competitiveness.
While business-education partnerships are on the rise, there can be an inherent tension in such partnerships. In many ways, the two sectors are mutually exclusive, having little in common. Whereas industry tends to be results-oriented, operating on a more urgent basis, education focuses on the long-term development of a student, where outcomes are not immediately realized.
Yet, business-education partnerships can be enormously satisfying to both partners. The key is voicing clarity of intent at the outset, fostering good communications throughout, learning how to overcome challenges and recognizing benefits and rewards.
For more information about the challenges and rewards of participating in business education partnerships, please download a PDF copy of our "How-to Business-Education Partner Guide," Building a Diverse U.S. STEM Workforce: Perspectives on Creating Successful Business Education Partnerships.
