ConnectEd Summer Workshop
Bringing Educators and Industry Together
Project Overview
The ConnectEd Summer Workshop brings educators and industry together to strengthen the connection between the classroom and the regional workforce.
Through employer site visits, industry conversations, and hands-on experiences, educators gain firsthand knowledge of local careers, workplace expectations, emerging technologies, and the skills employers need.
Educators return to their schools with greater insight into regional career opportunities and new ways to help students connect what they are learning in the classroom to their future.
The Need
Students rely on educators to help them understand their options after high school, but educators do not always have opportunities to experience today's workplaces or learn directly from employers about changing workforce needs.
ConnectEd helps close that gap by giving educators direct access to the industries, employers, and career opportunities available within the Acadiana region.
How It Works
During the summer workshop, participating educators step outside the classroom and into local workplaces.
Through industry site visits, employer presentations, panel discussions, demonstrations, and conversations with professionals, participants explore a variety of high-demand career fields and learn about the education, skills, credentials, and experiences students need to succeed.
The experience also creates opportunities for educators and employers to build relationships that can continue beyond the workshop.
Regional Partners
ConnectEd is made possible through collaboration among regional education, economic development, workforce, and industry partners
The initiative is supported through regional collaboration with One Acadiana and SoLAcc.
Outcomes & Impact
ConnectEd strengthens educators' understanding of regional industries and creates stronger connections between education and employers.
Educators leave the experience better equipped to have informed career conversations with students, incorporate real-world workforce information into their classrooms, and connect students with local education and career pathways.
