Programs Advisory Boards – The Career Champions Network

CCN Support for Programs Advisory Boards/PABs

With an enrollment of about 1,200 students, and 20 significant career technical programs, ranging from information technology to media arts to medical assisting, Madison Park offers talent pipelines of skillful students preparing for the needs of the regional labor market. Its student population is 97% students of color, so the career advancement MP provides them helps to rectify the historic racial inequality that has persisted in Boston to this day.

Madison Park has well-established teams of business partners, called Program Advisory Boards, or PABs, one for each of its programs, with experts from industry. These boards are required by state regulations that govern Career Technical Education across the Commonwealth, and they are critical to the success of this type of education. MP’s instructors are reliant on these for guidance and support, especially as rapid technological advance permeates virtually every modern occupation, and the teachers can’t otherwise keep up.

Why Should You Join a PAB

• To help strengthen the talent pipeline for your industry in the region

• To meet and work with young people who may become your employees

• To offer students access to powerful social networks and high-performance workplaces

• To help Boston improve its only career technical vocational high school, as well as its overall commitment to college and career readiness for all of its students

What is the Commitment to a PAB?

Two regular meetings of all PABs, one in the fall and spring, scheduled in the early evening, to hear about the program overall

A couple of additional meetings (by zoom for now) with the program instructor of the PAB you join, to support their work, offering your insights and experience

One or two events during the school day that connect you with the students of the program, e.g. as a guest speaker on a career panel, or as a participant in a Career Day

Your time commitment overall: approximately 15-20 hours spread across the school year

No financial commitment, though sometimes PAB members are in a position to donate equipment or supplies
You can get much more deeply involved, but that is not required or expected. Additionally, CCN sponsors a training opportunity to make sure that all PAB members have a full understanding of the role. You will be trained!