What a beautiful morning to begin a beautiful friendship.
The Evelyn K. Davis Center was the site Wednesday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to announce Student to Employer, a partnership between the Downtown Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, DMPS Central Campus, DMACC Urban Campus, the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families, GEAR UP Iowa, iJAG and Oakridge Neighborhood.
S2E will provide opportunities for students including job shadows, internships, apprenticeships, reverse job fairs and career nights.
June 27th was designated as the launch date to coincide with the United Nation’s MSME Day, an international day established in 2017 to recognize the vital contribution of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises to global economic development.
The parties to the new alliance will join forces to create a win-win dynamic that vitalizes underprivileged and underserved segments of the community and supplies the workforce needs of the metro business community.
Gretchen Watznauer, Coordinator for Student Leadership and Engagement at Central Campus, took the opportunity of the special occasion to not only thank the Downtown Chamber for its outreach in spearheading S2E, but also to invite its membership to come visit.
“Just this week, we are hosting a special summer camp for girls wanting to explore careers in the skilled construction trades,” she said. “Feel free to come and see the work we’re doing anytime. The skills we are teaching our students are useless unless they are provided with opportunities that all of you can offer them.”
DMPS students and families have strong connections with all parties to S2E. This new network holds the promise of functioning like the equivalent of a college/university job placement center for teenagers looking for first-ever job experiences that can point them toward lifelong careers.
“Today is just the beginning and we’re getting off to a great start,” said Becky Greenwald, Project Manager for the Downtown Chamber. “The Downtown Chamber and Advocacy Committee is committed to building a strong connection between these organizations and our employer members. Now it’s up to all of us to make it happen.”
