Sodexo and STEMconnector® Collaborate in "Advancing a Jobs-Driven Economy"

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Feb. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- "Advancing a Jobs-Driven Economy," a book released today in Phoenix and Washington by STEMconnector^®, focuses on the employer-driven partnerships demanded by 21st century STEM education and workforce development. Amidst the total disruption in higher education, 62 education, business and nonprofit thought leaders share proven models that support the necessary STEM education and workforce development revolution.

Call to Action
"As an industry partner of the STEM Higher Education Council, Sodexo welcomed the chance to contribute to 'Advancing a Jobs-Driven Economy.' We share a responsibility in preparing students for the 9 million STEM-related occupations that will be created between now and 2022 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics," said Michael Norris, chief operating officer, Sodexo. "This book provides a roadmap for engagement between higher learning institutions and area employers, enabling both to build a workforce that meets business needs."

"Our call to action is to everyone concerned about our ability to create and sustain career opportunities and develop relevant job skills for millions of students to meet employer needs, and the time to act is now," stated Rob Denson, chair of STEMconnector®'s Higher Education Council and president of Des Moines Area Community College. 

"Closing the large and growing skills gap in the U.S. will provide Americans with innumerable job opportunities, and employers with the talent they so desperately need to have sustained success," said Gregory W. Cappelli, chief executive officer, Apollo Education Group.

Leadership Required
"Businesses know what they need in order to be competitive," said John R. McKernan, senior advisor, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. "The only way to ensure that we have the workforce to enhance America's long-term competitiveness is to have partnerships and collaborations between business and our educational institutions. What is needed now is bold leadership and transformational change."

Collaboration is Critical
"Let us close the achievement gap and work with business and government to help create pipeline programs from high school through graduate school," emphasized Dr. Martha Kanter, former Under Secretary of Education.

Dr. Freeman Hrabowksi, president, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration stating, "We need the collaboration. And the stronger the collaboration, the stronger our society and economy will be."

"'Advancing A Jobs-Driven Economy' provides the framework to build new relationships with businesses, governments, and foundations to find opportunities for collaboration in building the next generation of STEM professionals," said Dr. Mitzi Montoya, vice president and university dean of entrepreneurship and innovation at Arizona State University.

Complementing "Advancing a Jobs–Driven Economy," the Virtual Community of Practice provides an online platform, allowing our network to continue advancing the dialogues, programs, policies, and partnerships that are critical to an effective STEM education–to–employment system that is emerging in real time. Share your effective STEM Higher Education – Industry partnerships with us at book.STEMconnector.org.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Watch Times Square as NASDAQ highlights the book for 15 minutes on Feb. 19. "Advancing a Jobs–Driven Economy" will be available through Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.

About STEMconnector®
STEMconnector® is a consortium of companies, associations, societies, policy organizations, government entities, universities and academic institutions concerned with STEM education and the future of human capital. With several products and services, STEMconnector® is both a resource and a service, designed to link "all things STEM." STEMconnector®'s network includes organizations at the global, national, state and local levels. STEMconnector® focuses on the STEM workforce and jobs, with a particular emphasis on diversity and women. Our work spans the entire pipeline (Kindergarten to Jobs) and how STEM education experiences translate into careers.

About the STEMconnector® STEM Higher Education Council
STEMconnector®'s STEM Higher Education Council (SHEC) is a leadership forum of public and private colleges intently focused on STEM education and careers. SHEC envisions being the national catalyst for meeting the education and training needs of the global STEM workforce and educating the scientists, technologists, and innovators needed for a vibrant economy. 

About Sodexo in North America
Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), leading Quality of Life Services company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivers On-site Services in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government, and Remote Site segments, as well as Benefits and Rewards Services and Personal and Home Services. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., funds all administrative costs for the Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $25 million in grants to end childhood hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at SodexoInsights.com. Visit Sodexo on Facebook and follow on Twitter @SodexoUSA.

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SOURCE Sodexo, Inc.

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