STW Activity

Activity Description

Suggested Actions

Membership Information

Unions develop a plan that includes information and dissemination strategies to inform union membership about school-to-work principles and practices.

• Include school-to-work topics on the agenda of union meetings.
• Conduct a survey of the local membership to get their ideas about possible school-to-work activities.
• Ask members to talk with their children about ideas for school-to-work activities that would be both interesting and informative for their classmates.
• Invite teachers and counselors to local meetings to discuss school-to-work issues and how Teamsters can contribute to these efforts.

Volunteer Activities

Unions develop a comprehensive plan that promotes volunteer and mentorship activities within the schools.

• Contact a school administrator (e.g., superintendent, principal) to inquire about volunteer and mentorship opportunities that are available in areas that promote school-to-work objectives.
• Ask for ideas about ways Teamsters can become involved in volunteer and mentorship activities from members who are actively involved in local school programs (coaching sports, reading tutors, etc.).
• Incorporate volunteer and mentorship opportunities in summer jobs programs and youth or registered apprenticeship programs.

State and Local STW Partnerships

Unions work with state and local organizations in the development of state and local programs that promote high academic standards, work-based learning, and industry-driven skill standards. Union involvement can help to ensure that core industry skills are identified and incorporated in state and local assessment, in addition to other certification and credentialing initiatives.

• Seek membership or representation on state workforce investment boards and committees responsible for developing industry standards through policies, curricula, and instructional materials.
• Provide a leadership role in the development of partnerships that focus on work-based learning opportunities. In addition to schools, Teamster locals can work with other labor organizations, vocational education agencies, locally elected officials and other community-based organizations.
• Influence government officials at the state and local levels to develop incentives for unions and employers to participate in school-to-work initiatives.

Workforce Development

Unions participate in state and regional workforce development initiatives and school-to-work governance (e.g., Workforce Development Boards, Private Industry Councils, etc).

• Seek membership or representation on state workforce investment boards and committees responsible for developing industry standards through policies, curricula, and instructional materials.
• Provide a leadership role in the development of partnerships that focus on work-based learning opportunities. In addition to schools, unions can work with other labor organizations, vocational education agencies, locally elected officials and a wide range of other community-based organizations.
• Become involved in state and national benchmarking efforts to identify best practices to improve school-to-work and workforce development programs.

National Skills Standards

Unions work with state and local organizations in the development and dissemination of national skills information. Information from such organizations as the National Skill Standards Board is used to identify academic and workplace skills that need to be integrated in school-to-work efforts. Unions support efforts to infuse standards based instruction and curriculum materials within state and local education initiatives.

• Participate in the development of skill standards curricula and instructional materials. Encourage the use of these materials in industry related programs at the state and local level.

Labor Market Information

Unions work with state and local organizations to identify and disseminate information about labor market needs. Information compiled by federal (e.g., US Department of Labor) and state agencies is used to provide current information about occupations represented by the union (see Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor).

• Develop a summary of labor market conditions within the community or region to supplement other school-to-work activities (e.g., classroom presentations).