“In an increasingly competitive world, it is important for students to have educational opportunities that not only help them perform academically, but also provide them with marketable skills that prepare them for futures in high-skill, high-wage industries,” stated Cheryl Davidson, LI Works Executive Director.  “With that vision in mind, the Long Island Works Coalition and the Long Island Association have focused for over a decade on expanding opportunities for students and providing Long Island’s business community with a skilled workforce. More recently, working with its unparalleled network of local educational institutions, LI Works has paved the way for the development of Career Academies, which combine traditional academics with hands-on technical training.”

“Education is a top priority for Ford Motor Company Fund, and we invest in education programs because we want to strengthen communities by giving students the skills they need to succeed in a global economy,” said Cheryl Carrier, program director, 21^st Century Education Programs.

In selecting Long Island Works, Ford Motor Company Fund cited their commitment to maximizing their career academies by using the Ford PAS Next Generation Learning Community 12-point master plan, which helps align career academies with future workforce and economic development trends. Presently, Long Island Works Coalition and the Long Island Association are working with 9 school districts on Long Island to strengthen its career academies, which teach academics through the lens of a career.

Commenting on the award, Matthew Crosson, President of the Long Island Association and a founding member of the Board of Trustees of LI Works stated, "For ten years, the Long Island Works Coalition has led the effort to prepare Long Island's young people for the world of work, maximize their opportunities to stay in the community, and provide Long Island’s business community with a critical lifeblood, a competitive workforce ready for the challenges of the 21^st century.  This designation is further evidence of LI Works’ leadership role in preparing students for Long Island's future workforce."

As a part of this recognition, LI Works, the Long Island Association and area schools will have access to professional development for teachers and networking opportunities to learn from the successes of other communities across the country. Last October and November, over 100 educators and administrators from twelve districts participated in a professional development training program. In addition, Ford will work with this community to provide technical assistance from a team of experts in workforce development and career academies to implement this plan.

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About Long Island Works Coalition

Created in 1999, the Long Island Works Coalition builds collaborative relationships among employers, workers & the educational community (kindergarten through college).  It is an inclusive organization helping to prepare students & graduates for full participation in the economic & social fabric of the region.

About Ford PAS

Created in partnership with the Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC), Ford PAS provides high-school students with high-quality, interdisciplinary learning experiences that challenge them academically and develop their problem-solving, critical thinking and communication skills. It enhances this curriculum by providing professional development for teachers and networking opportunities between communities using Ford PAS.

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services

Ford Motor Company Fund is dedicated to creating and enriching educational opportunities, especially in the areas of science, engineering, math and business. Since its inception, Ford Motor Company Fund has supported a wide-range of education initiatives such as Ford PAS and the Ford PAS Next Generation Learning Community recognition program. The Ford PAS NGLC recognition program supports communities interested in increasing the number of students who receive academic and technical training at successful career academies and to ensure their long-term sustainability.

Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services is committed to creating opportunities that promote corporate citizenship, philanthropy, volunteerism and cultural diversity for those who live in the communities where Ford operates.  Celebrating its 60^th anniversary in 2009 and made possible by funding from Ford Motor Company, Ford Motor Company Fund supports initiatives and institutions that foster innovative education, auto-related safety, and American heritage and legacy.  National programs include Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies, which provides high school students with academically rigorous 21st century learning experiences, and Driving Skills for Life, a teen-focused auto safety initiative.  The Ford Volunteer Corps, established in 2005, continues Ford's legacy of caring worldwide.  Through the Volunteer Corps, Ford employees and retirees participate in a wide range of volunteer projects in their communities. For more information on programs made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services, visit www.community.ford.com.