The Advocate
The Baton Rouge Area Chamber is launching “Virtual Schoolhouse,” an online platform to pair businesses with classrooms.
The program matches industry expertise with teacher-provided lesson plans.
“There is no better way to ensure a qualified pipeline of local talent than for businesses to actively engage in education,” said Adam Knapp, president and CEO of BRAC. “The Virtual Schoolhouse offers tremendous potential to enhance both quality workforce and relevant student learning.”
BRAC partnered with Nepris to develop the online platform through which business leaders can volunteer as guest speakers, project panelists and mentors, and offer virtual internships for public school students in the capital region.
The opportunity for in-classroom volunteering also is available.
Liz Smith, BRAC’s director of policy and research, oversees the program.
Business leaders and educators interested in signing up to participate can do so at brac.nepris.com.
The Nepris platform also provides connections to BRAC’s Micro-Enterprise Credential, which prepares students to become small business owners and employees.
Part of the credentialing requirements stipulate that students present a self-assessment to a business mentor, either in person or virtually.
Information on BRAC’s Virtual Schoolhouse and the Micro-Enterprise Credential can be found at brac.org.