Business Advisory Council (BAC)

GOAL: 

The goal of the Business Advisory Council (BAC) is to broaden the program across a variety of industries, provide individuals with disabilities access to the resources they need to be successfully employed in wide-range of fields, and serve as a platform to further educate business professionals about the benefits of employing individuals with disabilities. The measurable goal is 100% employment of Project SEARCH intern participants.

FUNCTION: 

The BAC members gain connections. They serve as ambassadors to other companies with which they have relationships as well as other businesses where they may not currently have contacts. The BAC has the pulse of the business landscape including trade and corporate organizations.

The BAC should help identify obstacles that may preclude a student from successfully obtaining a job placement. The BAC members should provide guidance, set agendas, supply new ideas, and dialogue with colleagues to see how Project SEARCH can approach things from a unique perspective.

Project SEARCH depends on the BAC to tell our leaders what jobs are available by industry, what skills are in demand and to broaden the horizons for the Project SEARCH participants.

EXPECTATIONS: 

Each member should attend BAC meetings, be a liaison from Project SEARCH to the business community, look for employment opportunities and provide expertise.

As a training and employment program, Project SEARCH will benefit from the guidance and expertise of the BAC. Project SEARCH does not expect every BAC member to hire an intern who wants a job, but the hope is that members engage with the students, to ensure the learning is authentic, so Project SEARCH can strive toward its goal of 100% student employment. Internal

COMPOSITION: 

The BAC should consist of business representatives from a range of industries, including management of human resources, sales and operations, who have hiring influence in a business located in the South Jersey area. They should have connections within the community and/or be willing to meet with employers and colleagues to advocate for Project SEARCH. A diverse BAC brings diverse values to Project SEARCH.

BAC Participation Opportunities… 

• Provide guidance and marketing about Project SEARCH and their goal of employment to local businesses and agree to put SEARCH in touch with hiring organizations in the local community.
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• Participate in a job fair with the Project SEARCH students; conduct interviews, review resumes and give feedback about job opportunities at your organization.

• Promote the program and its mission in your networking circles to create employment opportunities for the Project SEARCH interns.

• Interview and hire a Project SEARCH graduate into your business when there is a good job match!

Upcoming Dates, invites will forthcoming: 

• October 23^rd SJ Chambers 11:30am
• February 5th BAC meeting-in person, Meet the Interns, 10-12pm
• April BAC Reverse Job Fair, 10-12pm, invites will go out
• June 16th Project SEARCH Graduation, location TBD

Contact Us: 

Thomas Berner Reto | Community Business Development Officer

tommy.berner@td.com

Jaimi McWilliams

Lenape Regional High School District-Project SEARCH Instructor

jmcwilliams@lrhsd.org/jaimi.mcwilliams2@td.com