Shadow Newsletter Vol 1 No 1

Shadow Program Overview

What--and Why--is the Delta Shadowing Program, Anyway?

25 Aug 1998 page l of 2

The economy's at an all-time high. Even the most conservative economic and business forecasts see decreasing unemployment, more high-tech jobs, increasing hiring, and more turnover as more and more companies fish in a small pool of high-tech, 2lst-entury-ualified workers.

Other states will provide only a small fraction of Arizona's needs. The bulk of the people who will make or break the economy in the years to come -- company employees -- are living here now. Our local workforce of tomorrow is in our local high schools and junior high schools today.

Are the schools preparing these students for the demands of the marketplace? Do they know what Arizona businesses need? What do they need from business?

If the schools know what kind of employee capabilities local companies are looking for, they can begin that training by emphasizing certain skills and knowledge starting as early as elementary school. If business knows what the schools are doing, they can provide input and other resources to help the schools, thereby helping themselves.

But we have to communicate! And that's where shadowing comes in.

How Effective is Shadowing?

When it comes to community outreach, shadowing is probably one of the most effective investments available.

· Shadowing gives businesses a presence in the community with some of the most important folks around-- the people who administer and operate their children's schools.

· It shows those people who are training your upcoming workforce who the businesses are, what they do, and what they need.

· On the other side of the coin, shadowing shows businesses how and what the schools are doing to educate your children and your workforce to meet tomorrow's technological challenges.

It allows businesses to provide meaningful input regarding teaching methods and curricula -- and to provide assets to help implement those methods, as well.

What's Involved?

There are two steps to shadowing.

First, selected teachers (often math, science, or industrial arts, although that's not required) from local schools are invited to spend a day "shadowing" a company's employee. The teacher attends meetings, work sessions, lunch -- whatever the employee does. They may start with a quick tour of the facility and a briefing of the company's products and processes, but most of the day is spent in an actual work environment, with time to provide the teacher with a running commentary and answers to any questions he or she might have.

The host employee is not normally an executive. Instead, he or she is usually a worker - engineer, shop foreman, purchasing agent, technician, secretary, or production worker. The important thing is that the host employee can explain the work, tie it in to educational requirements, and is able to communicate with the teacher.

· Second, the host employee visits the school and spends a day shadowing the teacher. In many cases, the employee will spend some time talking to the students about the company, what kind of jobs are available, and what kind of education will provide the students with the best chance for the jobs.

If the employee is a woman, there's a great-added benefit: female students can see that no jobs are "limited" to males.

Shadow Newsletter Vol 1 No 1 25 Aug 1998

Shadow Program Overview
page2of2

The employee will have a chance to talk to teachers and see how they are meeting the challenge of educating. The resulting synergy can't help but increase understanding and further cooperation between your company and your schools.

In almost every case, an ongoing relationship is forged -- between the company and the school, the employee and the teacher, or both.

The costs of a shadowing program are low. For each shadow, a business will pay for an employee to spend a day off-site (at the school); and some decreased productivity for that employee on the day that the teacher visits. (You might want to buy the teacher lunch.) The school, too, provides an offsite day to the teacher.

But the benefits are high. The schools learn what the businesses want and need for their future employees. The businesses know what the schools are doing, and how they can help in developing well-rounded students.

What Do You Need to Do?

It's easy to start. The DELTA program has been involved in shadowing from the start, and would be happy to help if you need it. We have an ongoing relationship with the local East Valley schools, and we can provide the contact names and phone numbers for schools in your area. Not only that, but we'll provide helpful hints and tips -- through outreach materials like this newsletter, with actual site training possible.

There are over eighty thousands kids in the Mesa Unified School District alone -- more than any one company can help. But working together, local companies can build and maintain a bridge with our schools that will improve education and opportunities for our companies, our kids, and our community.

That's a great bottom line!

Additional Tips for Boeing Teammates:

Since a CCN if often available for your shadowing, you aren't necessarily constrained in what you do the day of the shadowing. I've found that it helps to spend some time alone with your teacher - either relaxing with a breakfast snack or in an informal walk-around. This gives you time to tell the teacher a bit about what Boeing, the Helicopter Company, and your own work group does - showing how it all ties together, if possible. You can also chat with your shadow and find out what his or her interests are, and what would be the most effective things for you to emphasize during the day.

· If you're going to be doing the same thing all day attending meetings, doing repetitive paperwork, or the same production operation - you might want to "pass on" your guest to a teammate for an hour or so. This gives you a break, and allows the teacher to get to know someone else and a different look at the way we work.

· Everyone lives by acronyms. If you're talking with teammates, you'll need to translate what you're saying at times. Doing this includes your shadow in the process and makes the day more productive for most of you.