still have more work to do to increase employer awareness of the importance of their roles as mentors for valuable current and future workforce development. Research shows that mentoring youth can contribute to the future workforce development by exposing students to what it takes to become successful and responsible working adults, who actually enjoy what they do. Recognizing the importance of preparing their future workforce, smart and farsighted companies are already engaging in attracting young people into their industries. Miester and Willyard (2010) cite some innovative businesses that are actively developing their future employees today. “Precollege employer outreach programs” that engage students in elementary and secondary schools are being used as early strategies to build company brands, especially in occupations where employers are expecting high skills shortages. As an example of such initiatives Miester and Willyard name Deloitte’s ‘Life, Inc.: ‘The Ultimate Career Guide for Young People’ and Lockheed Martin’s ‘Engineers in the Classroom Curriculum’ as exemplary models of forward-looking companies responding to potential talent shortages. In addition to promoting their business and industry to the next generation, some corporations are also using mentoring as one way of involving their employees in corporate social responsibility. IBM Mentorplace, which is a structured online mentoring program, connecting students with IBM employees, is a good example. As described on IBM’s website, through this “…volunteer program, thousands of IBM employees around the world are providing students with online academic assistance and career counseling, while letting them know that adults do care about their issues and concerns.” Several Canadian employers are preparing their future workforce, by partnering with educators and youth-serving organizations at different levels. Among the exemplary organizations that implement innovative approaches in career mentoring young people is Hamilton Health Sciences, an institution that is leading the way in preparing Canada’s future workforce in the health and science sector.
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