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HISTORY

CONNECTING TO SUCCESS

the training process each season. Connect-
ing to Success is truly an advantageous
training program for our future workforce.
In order to effectively manage the remark-
able growth of this program, the Valley
Industry Association realized a stand alone
501 © (3) non profit organization would
be necessary to support the program. In
2007 the VIA EDUCATION FOUNDATION
was born. Since that time, the foundation
has been successful in receiving grants for
the program from entities such as Southern
California Edison, Citibank, The Newhall
Foundation, US Bank, State Street Foun-
dation and others. Contributions from the
business community of the Santa Clarita
Valley have also helped the program grow.
In the fall of 2013, and again in 2014
VIA premiered the program with brand
new, updated curriculum, created and
copyrighted by the Valley Industry Associa-
In March of 2002 the Valley Industry Asso- ment, and local educators, "Connecting to
ciation (VIA) conducted their bi-annual CEO Success" was born. Designed as a three tion Education Committee as follows:
Building Your Image for Success
Forum - focused on Education. Nearly 100 subject, day long "seminar" pilot program
business leaders met to discuss training and loosely based on "Success Skills" and Ethics: Doing the Right Thing
Money Smarts
retraining needs for existing employees, as the needs of local business leaders, the
well as educational needs for the emerging program was presented to several hundred The Valley Industry Association's ultimate
goal is to ensure that every high school
workforce. An overwhelming theme for juniors from Valencia High School in No- junior within the Santa Clarita Valley expe-
"Basic Business Conduct" skills emerged, vember of 2003 . Facilitated by local busi-
riences the Connecting to Success program .
identifying the need for entry level employ- ness professionals, Connecting to Success
ees entering the workforce to be equipped provides a value to students they wouldn't The innovative seminar has become a ,
national model, and in other formats is now
with fundamental skills and work ethics. ordinarily access. This training is offered by
Specifically, this included interviewing skills their future employers and presents unique being offered in various cities acrossthe
nation. The entire cost of the Santa Clarita
with appropriate dress, punctuality, clear insight into the world of work. Valley program is covered through local
and concise communication and interper- The 2003 Connecting to Success
support and grants garnered by the Valley
sonal skills, job responsibility, teamwork program involved the entire junior class at Industry Association .
and customer service understanding. Verbal one local high school, with 500 students
As the program continues to grow, bud-
and written communication skills, problem in attendance. Each year, the program has getary concerns grow as well. Each year
solving, decision-making, organizational expanded in the sheer number of partici-
the program has grown, with an ultimate
skills and strategic level thinking were also pating students and the demand from other objective to reach all 4,500 11th graders
desired. Santa Clarita Valley high schools to be
in the Santa Clarita Valley. This growth
Soon afterward, the Valley Industry included in the program.
increases programs costs dramatically
Association Education Committee met to The 2014 program, representing the
discuss and develop a means to satisfy twelfth year of Connecting to Success is each year. With that in mind, VIA created
a special, not for profit foundation, the VIA
these important needs. A training program currently in process. Nearly 2,500 students
for high school aged students was strongly from the William S. Hart Union High School Education Foundation (Tax ID No. 45-
5239130) to align ourselves for education-
suggested. In an effort to move forward District are participating, requiring three
al grant opportunities. In addition, both the
with solutions, the Education Committee days to cover all the students wishing to
VIA Education Foundation and the Valley
reviewed portions of Junior Achievement's attend the program. Over the years, job
Success Skills program and found it had fairs and internship competitions have often Industry Association work hard to fund this
important workforce readiness program
much to offer. Unfortunately, the program been added to the day's activities, helping
was too lengthy for local high schools to students get a jump start on their entry into through grants, special fundraising events
and corporate and personal contributions.
add to an already aggressive curriculum. the world of work.
The VIA Education Committee wanted Since 2003, we've watched Connecting For more information, please contact
Kathy Norris, CEO/President of the Valley
to consider the possibility of amending the to Success develop in a variety of other ar- Industry Association: (661) 294-8088 or by
program into an intensive training, off-site eas and even other states! We are extreme-
1 email: kathy@via.org.
"seminar" for high school students and ly proud to have piloted such a successful
scheduled a planning session with represen- program right here in Santa Clarita. The
tatives from Junior Achievement. Through program continues to grow, with additional
a very special collaboration between the high schools added each year. Sixty to
VIA Education Committee, Junior Achieve- eighty business professionals participate in