State Superintendent Mark Johnson joins North Carolina’s business community in recognizing March 22-31 as Students@Work℠ Week. The Students@Work initiative’s goal is to expose students to possible job opportunities available to them in the workplace through job shadowing and mentoring opportunities.

Students@Work℠ is a joint initiative between the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. This year’s program involves more than 150 businesses throughout the state and is expected to impact more than 24,000 students.

“Workforce development is key to the success of our state in the 21st century, and that has to begin with our students,” said State Superintendent Mark Johnson. “Initiatives like Students@Work℠ help to expose them to the career possibilities that are available in their communities as well as to the skills and level of education that it takes to achieve their goals.”

While Students@Work℠ involves some high school students, it centers its efforts around middle school because middle school is a crucial time for dropout prevention and also when students prepare for success in high school. The program helps to emphasize future career options, as well as the importance of staying in school, before students enter the ninth grade.

Students@Work℠ is made possible by grants from GSK. Visit the Students@Work℠ Week website for more information.

About the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE)

The North Carolina Business Committee for Education is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit comprised of business leaders from across the state. NCBCE’s mission focuses on ensuring that every student in North Carolina graduates from high school ready for life and work in a global society.