Listen to this articleTo help high school students gain real-world career experiences, HIA-LI, a business advocacy group based in the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge, has launched the “Setup for Success Shadowing Program.” The program is in a pilot phase.
The program was developed in partnership with the Smithtown Industry Advisory Board (IAB), and aims to enhance industry-academia initiatives while also addressing the region’s workforce development challenges. These challenges were featured in “Innovating the Talent Pipeline: Strategies for Workforce Development in the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge,” a 2023 HIA-LI report that was developed with the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency and the Workforce Development Institute.
Designed to educate students about career paths, the IAB, which is part of the Smithtown Central School District, currently has more than 300 industry partnerships.
“We continue to hear over and over again that filling the talent pool here on Long Island is more than difficult,” Terri Alessi-Miceli, president and CEO of HIA-LI, said in a news release about the pilot program.
“This program is a direct response to the recommendations from our 2023 workforce development report and aims to bridge the gap between education and industry,” she added.
Now, the HIA-LI is inviting employers, both members and non-members of the business group, to host Smithtown High School students for a day. Part of the HIA-LI’s workforce development initiative, the opportunity gives students a chance to observe and engage in various career prospects and even set career goals.
“The ‘Setup for Success’ Program is an excellent opportunity for companies to play a pivotal role in shaping the career paths of young professionals,” Carol Allen, board chair of HIA-LI, said in the news release. “It’s an investment in our community’s future.”
The program “will provide invaluable experiences for our students, helping them to better understand and prepare for their future careers,” Phil Como, executive director of the IAB, said in the news release.
Advocates for the program say it allows participating employers to inspire the next generation of professionals, build awareness of career opportunities at their organization and across the region, and foster the development of Long Island’s future workforce.
“Collaborating with industry leaders through programs like this is crucial,” Edward Bonahue, president of Suffolk County Community College and cochair of the HIA-LI Workforce Development Task Force, said in the news release. It helps us ensure that our training and education efforts at all levels are coordinated and aligned with the needs of today’s job market.”
The shadowing experience is designed to span between three and five hours, typically between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., ensuring it does not extend beyond the regular school day. Students arrange their transportation to and from the host employer’s location. Employers are to provide a safe and educational environment, adhering to all Federal and New York State Labor laws for individuals under the age of 18.
“This initiative not only helps students but also allows companies to showcase their work environments and the diverse career opportunities available on Long Island,” Rich Humann, president and CEO of H2M Architects and Engineers and cochair of the HIA-LI Workforce Development Task Force, said in the news release.
Employers can apply to participate in the program here.