WESTFIELD—Schools superintendent Stefan Czaporowski sees a gap between education and business in Westfield.
This is why he will be unveiling his plans this week for a task force to help bring business and practical education and experiences to students. The project will be spearheaded by both Czaporowski and the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, and both sides have embraced the idea wholeheartedly.
“We need to broaden the chances of students as much as possible,” Czaporowski said. “I look forward to the possibility that this work will do because it will benefit students and community.”
Stefan Czaporowski (file photo)
Czaporowski said that he has already had several people express interest, both from the realms of business and education, who want to be part of the task force.
Additionally, the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce—which Westfield schools are a part of—is helping to create the task force.
The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce hosts an “After Five Connection” on Sept. 14, at Westfield Public Schools East Mountain Road Transition Program. This is one of the events held to help the school and businesses connect.
“We’re going to help our members, however that may be, and we give members a chance to connect with others,” Kate Phelon, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, said.
But the Chamber isn’t just helping because the school department is a member. Instead, they see a gap in the workforce and in education that could benefit from practical education.
“I would hear from the community about problems with the workforce, whether it was technical issues or software issues,” Phelon said. “If the business community is having this issue and the school community is part of the chamber, why don’t we bridge the community to close these gaps?”
Czaporowski agrees, and feels that this task force could help by focusing on what both businesses in the area and students in the area need—especially when the workforce in Westfield is often fueled by students of the schools. This could then benefit both students and businesses in Westfield.
“Thirty-eight percent of Westfield [Technical Academy] students and 7 percent of Westfield High School students are going right into a career, and where do they work? They work here,” Czaporowski said. “And even if they go to college they come back and work here.”
Some of the plans laid out by Czaporowski include work shadows, an increased amount of internships and anything that may give students a hands-on experience.
“It’s real-life real world experience,” he said. “Even in a classroom it’s a controlled experience.
“We want to give them real world exposure.”
Czaporowski said that any and all businesses are welcome to participate, since the desires of students is just as varied.
He also said that while there is no hard financial benefit to businesses participating, they would still benefit because the workforce would be stronger and more prepared.
If anyone is interested in participating, they can contact Czaporowski by email at s.[email protected], or by calling (413)572-6403, and dialing extension 5.
Additionally, Czaporowski will be the keynote speaker at the Great Westfield Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber Breakfast, Sept. 23, starting at 7 a.m. and hosted by the 104th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard, at 175 Falcon Way, Westfield.
