Destination Education: How Better Schools Can Make Our Cities a Better Place to Live and Visit

The logic is sound: If our community is better educated, it's better for everyone, correct? Although it makes sense, the tide of funding seems to be flowing away from education.
Here's a simple fact:

Good Education and Good Communities Go Hand-in-Hand

This doesn't mean one strong school as a flagship, as it is in many larger communities. It means significant investment in education across provinces, cities, towns, rural areas and communities until children in our community and our country receive the education they deserve. And the K-12 school system is just one player. There are so many stakeholders when it comes to education in our communities, for example, post-secondary, not for profits, businesses etc.

Why? Education is the economic driver of success and production in our communities. It starts in kindergarten and continues for life. When students receive support at the beginning, they're more likely to pursue higher education, whether as part of a trade program or a university. They're more likely to understand civic responsibility and community engagement.

On the other side of the coin, areas where schools have been underfunded for a long time see disengaged citizens. Unsupported students grow up with a mindset that they are not highly regarded by the decision-makers in their area, because frankly, they aren't.

What Can We Do About It?

As business owners and citizens, we often ignore the lasting effects of a strong education system in terms of our own lives. But consider this: A larger crop of successful students in our community will mean a larger pool of potential employees. The business community will benefit when strong students stay around. The ones who leave will benefit other communities near and far.

So, support your local education system. If you run a business, use education as your outlet for philanthropy whenever possible. Ensure that the students in your community have access to school supplies, books and other tools to maximize their education, because when the education system is strong, the community grows as a whole and becomes a better place to live. 

How the Talent Shortage Affects Your Kids

As our world has moved firmly into the digital age, more and more businesses are looking to hire employees who have digital skills, including web design, digital marketing, social media and more. However, many businesses are finding that there just aren't enough job applicants who possess the required skills, resulting in a talent shortage. It is not that recent graduates aren't getting quality education, but rather that educational institutions have not yet incorporated the needs of today's job market into their curricula. The end result is that there are numerous jobs available in the digital areas of business, but those applying for the jobs don't have all of the skills required.

If you have children, you want them to have the best possible chance of success in their future careers. Particularly in the digital space, it is important not to rely solely on formal education to develop the skills needed to be successful in the modern business world. Until the world of education catches up with the rapid pace of growth in this area, students may need to take it upon themselves to learn these crucial skills.

Encourage your children to expand their knowledge outside of traditional outlets. The more experiences you can expose them to, the greater their chances of discovering where their passions lie. Take the time to sit down with each of your children individually to discuss their goals for the future. Then, you can advise them on which skills will be most desirable to employers.

Of course, finding employment is not the only goal of getting an education, but it will help your kids find a way to get paid for doing what they love. Encourage your kids to think outside the box in terms of career opportunities and courses of study. When your child finds what he or she is truly passionate about, you'll know which avenues of education make the most sense and which areas may need to be studied independently.

Talent shortages are not uncommon in the business world and most often occur after rapid advances in technology and techniques. The current workforce must act quickly to adjust to the latest trends, and those just entering the industry are in the best position to make the most of the latest developments. Because they won't be bogged down by the way things were done in the past, your children can focus on driving future development and growth.

If your grown children are struggling to find employment in today's rapidly changing business environment, don't let them get discouraged. With a bit of creativity and effort, they can find a suitable job that makes the most of their innate talents and personal passions. Taking some time to further their education with the most in-demand skills in today's market is often a better choice than trying to force themselves into a job that isn't quite right. Although we may never be able to eliminate the skills gap entirely, our children have the chance to minimize it as best they can.

Actions

1. If you run a business, use education as your outlet for philanthropy whenever possible.
2. Invest in internships for small projects using organizations such as Venture for Canada and the YWCA
3. Take part in mentorship such as the Atlantic Study and Stay program, Junior Achievement, Youth Ventures