HHS students pick up information from counselor Angie Powell, pictured at right, at the Feb. 27 business and youth employment fair conducted as part of the Homegrown Talent Initiative. Students are pictured from left, Jackie Valenzuela, Alexis Vega, Shianne Willmon and Emily Jelden. In background at far right, HTI lead coordinator Summer Maloney visits at one of the local business tables. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
Pathways to success are focus of Homegrown Talent Initiative
In a progressive project to tap into the potential of local talent while students are still in school, the Homegrown Talent Initiative hosted businesses, students and parents in an employment event Thursday, Feb. 27.
HTI lead coordinator Summer Maloney said the event featured 27 business tables with representatives available to talk about job opportunities, internships, skill requirements and more.
The business tables outlined the entire perimeter of the Holyoke High School old gym.
Student participation included 45 in grades 9-12. Next time, Maloney said they hope to include junior high students, with the ultimate goal of HTI being to provide opportunities for good looks at career pathways, starting when students are in the fifth grade.
During the event, feedback was solicited for a graduate profile that has been a work-in-progress document to emphasize traits and skills that local students would possess when they graduate from HHS.
Based on conversations with students, teachers, community members and business people, five traits were compiled.
The traits include career connected, effective communication, professionalism, perseverance, and socially and emotionally competent.
“Giving kids different pathways for success is what this is all about,” said Maloney. “Getting exposure and experience early on will hopefully help students have a better grasp of their interests before they graduate,” she added.
How did HTI get started?
For Holyoke, it all started when the school district was one of eight districts (involving 10 schools) selected as a participant in the Homegrown Talent Initiative last fall.
The HTI grant provides money and time this year to plan and prepare for building homegrown opportunities and pathways to serve the unique needs of business and industry in the community.
Funds will then be provided to maintain the program over the next three years.
Last September, a small local group went to Breckenridge to begin gaining information to engage the community deeper in identifying the profile of skills and characteristics that graduates need to be successful in the community and beyond.
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