Expanding boards
Our school has a great banner that we hang on the street side wall of our building. This banner is also great to take to health fairs, etc. and helps bring attention to the rest of our display.
We have an advisory board that meets periodically to offer advice, however, they don't seem to promote us throughout the community like they could. I think they just need to be more aware of some of the support they could provide. Also, we are working on creating an Alumni Association which would also include a board. We are a fairly new, and small school so haven't had many alumni. This is now increasing so it seems time to move into this resource.
Thanks
Hi Ruth
Great that you are putting in a strong infrastructure while you are small. Then you will grow and have systems in place. Banners are really useful as you have shown. If your advisory board isn't working for you, consider getting new members. Also see how you can motivate them or perhaps discover their resources. Great that you are putting alumni association in place. Alumni are a great source of referrals. You're doing a great job. Best wishes, Susan
Ruth:
I would re-visit the members of your advisory board and explain how their support for your school would also benefit them. For example, an employer will benefit from your school preparing good potential employees for him/her in the near future at no cost to them. Explain how easy this process would be and differentiate yourself from other schools and placement services.
Hi Janet and Ruth
We feel it is vital to keep in touch with employers and prospective employers. There are so many opportunities. One we are working on now is to use employers to forecast what training programs will be needed tomorrow and in the future. Technology, demographics, society, etc. is changing so fast that there are new demands on trained workers. Employers can help us be the seers to identify them. Best wishes, Susan
