Promoting Active and Sustained School-Business Partnerships: An Exploratory Case Study of an IT Academy

Authors

Victor M. Hernandez-Gantes, University of South FloridaFollow
Simone J. Brookins, University of South FloridaFollow
Edward C. Fletcher Jr., University of South FloridaFollow

Keywords

career academy, career and technical education, career readiness, school-business partnerships

Disciplines

Vocational Education

Abstract

In support of the national push for promoting career readiness, school-business partnerships have been noted as an important support strategy. However, there is limited research in the context of career academies. Thus, we sought to explore the nature of a partnership between an information technology (IT) career academy and local business partners. We found that the development of social capital is required to keep the network of partners bonded toward a common goal, bridged through a Business Advisory Council to facilitate planning and related supports, and linked by a local web of connecting relationships. Study findings add to the limited literature on the interface of school-business partnerships, career academies, and the promotion of career readiness in particular occupational contexts such as IT.

Recommended Citation

Hernandez-Gantes, V. M., Brookins, S. J., & Fletcher, E. C. (2017). Promoting Active and Sustained School-Business Partnerships: An Exploratory Case Study of an IT Academy. Journal of Research in Technical Careers, 1 (2). https://doi.org/10.9741/2578-2118.1023