RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Jeff Bloom works with students, including Henry Chang, left, and Ryan Gapelu, under his new program, Business and Youth Working Together, in the CTA offices.
Entrepreneur looks to
encourage replacementsYou've founded a new organization, Business and Youth Working Together, what is its mission?
Jeff Bloom
>> Day job: President of CTA Inc.
>> New project: Founder of Business and Youth Working Together
>> BYWT: An initiative conceived by the Hawaii Workforce Development Council to allow students the chance to work with entrepreneurs and other professionals.
BYWT is about business mentors getting directly involved with students on a project. The goal is connecting classroom education with "real world" experiences to increase employment and economic development. It's a proven way to develop first rate employees, business leaders and entrepreneurs.
Doesn't a program like this reach out to young people who have the ambition to do well even without it?
This not just for gifted students. The goal of BYWT is for every student graduating from high school in Hawaii to have experienced at least one business mentoring program. Whether the student works on an agricultural project with Aloun Farms at Campbell High School, the Hawaiian Electric robotics program or participates in CTA's mentoring program in technology, all the young people across Hawaii should have this opportunity to interact with business professionals in a real-world context.
What sorts of businesses are participating?
There are a variety of businesses across the state who are already working with youth. BYWT is collecting information about these programs to post them on the Internet. The BYWT tool will be a clearinghouse for businesses to connect with young people across the state and post programs where young people can learn about and get involved in mentorships and projects. In addition, we're working closely with business organizations such as Enterprise Honolulu, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and other economic development boards and chamber's across the state.
In what ways would you like to see school refocus their ideas about preparing young people for the workplace?
I don't think the schools need to refocus, but need to change their modus operandi. I believe that schools do a very good job giving students an educational foundation -- reading, writing, arithmetic, public speaking, etc. I think the problem lies in not having a context or ability to apply classroom learning with real world business situations. That is where business professionals can be part of the learning equation. Here's an example: Three business professionals decide to enlist the help of five students and their teacher for a software project. During the course of building the application, students have the opportunity to interact with adult mentors and learn real world job skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, communication and leadership. Thus, they gain confidence, experience, motivation and maturity that can be applied both in the school and the workplace. I cannot tell you how many times during the last 10-plus years working alongside young people I've seen them respond positively to this method. It effects youngsters in a profound manner and gives back in an equally marvelous way to the mentors.
You also created HiTech Quest, which allows high school and middle school techies to strut their stuff, why all the focus on young people?
We want help them have a better life and we want them to stay in Hawaii.
Do you think there's this level of need for the private sector to supplement the programs of the state Department of Education because the state lacks the necessary resources, or because it simply isn't focused on producing an employable workforce?
The private sector needs to be part of the solution. Schools cannot be expected to create an employable work force on their own. Call it enlightened self-interest, but we all truly need to work together if we're going to develop the work force we need for Hawaii to compete in the new economy.
How do these activities tie into your business, CTA?
My business has continually grown over the last 17 years and to keep up with the demand for people with the skills we need, now and for the future, CTA has to be an active participant in the process. Business and Youth Working Together is a perfect example of building Hawaii's future work force today. It may sound like a cliché but human capital is what will fuel our economy and business development. We call it the power of three "E's": Education, Employment and Economic Development.
Inside Hawaii Inc. is a conversation with a member of the Hawaii business community who has changed jobs, been elected to a board or been recognized for accomplishments. Send questions and comments to: business@starbulletin.com.
