Understanding the Purpose and Roles of a Vocational-Technical Advisory Committee

Vocational-technical education advisory committees are made up of volunteers who agree to serve as advisors to one or more vocational programs. Members include representatives from business, labor, community agencies, students, and parents of current and former students. Because of their working knowledge of requirements of specific occupations, they provide valuable advice, guidance, and assistance. These volunteers agree to serve in an advisory capacity, not as policymakers.

The primary purpose of advisory committees is to provide on going evaluation and consultation about the curriculum to keep it current with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values identified as being necessary for students to work effectively in their chosen occupation. Committee members are appointed by the administration or governing board of local education agencies.

There are three major types of vocational-technical advisory committees:

• A general advisory council (GAC) - Provides direction and guidance to administrators and governing boards for the entire vocational-technical program offered by a district or institution. This type of advisory group is usually formed at the secondary level to serve skills centers and high schools.
• A program advisory committee - Focuses on providing direction for a specific vocational-technical program within a school or college. This type of advisory committee may also advise several similar programs in a school district. Several high schools and community/technical colleges in Washington State have combined program advisory committees serving the same occupational area for the purpose of creating articulated or tech-prep programs.
• A technical council - Combines several individual program advisory committees into a comprehensive council which advises a cluster of related occupations or careers. An example would be a technical council for business and administrative services. This council provides overall advice for programs such as accounting, bookkeeping, office practices, barilcing/finance, management, and sales and marketing.

Back to top

Roles of the Committee

Vocational-technical advisory committees advise, assist, and provide support and advocacy for quality programs. The time and energy devoted by the advisory committee helps increase Committee members' knowledge about the vocational program and the instructor's knowledge about the job market, employers' needs, and community opportunities. Vocational-technical advisory committees perform five major roles which include:

1. Providing information which will update, modify, expand and improve the quality of program(s).
2. Supporting and strengthening the partnership between business, labor, the community, and education.
3. Making recommendations that will strengthen and expand the vocational curriculum, and providing assistance in implementing their recommendations.
4. Identifying and validating academic and occupational competencies, determining priorities, reviewing and evaluating programs.
5. Articulating long-term goals and objectives of the vocational-technical program to students, parents, employers and the community.

In fulfilling these roles, members provide valuable services in areas such as curriculum development, facilities and equipment, student recruitment and placement, staff development, public relations, community needs, legislative and financial support, and vocational student organization support.

Committee requirements

• The committee should be made up of at least four (4) active members (excluding staff) who represent the industry.
• The committee must meet at least three (3) times per year for on-going programs. The program of work must include.
  1. Determine needs for the year (goals, projects)
  2. Report on progress
  3. Program evaluation committee sign-off
• Inactive members should be contacted regarding their desire to continue on the committee and should be replaced before the next meeting, if necessary.

Curriculum development

• Reviewing the program's mission and goals in relation to the goals and mission of the district or institution
• Identifying and validating academic and vocational competencies on which course content is based
• Recommending student performance standards and measures
• Recommending new course offerings based on labor market trends and directions
• Participating in evaluations made by outside agencies
• Informing teachers of new methods, procedures, products and technologies
• Giving classroom presentations
• Recommending safety procedures for the program
• Providing supplies (such as raw materials, finished products, charts, posters) for exhibit of instructional purposes
• Recognizing vocational programs' role in apprenticeships
• Arranging field trips at industry sites.

Facilities and equipment

• Evaluating equipment and facilities against industry standards
• Obtaining needed equipment and supplies on loan or discounted prices
• Help obtain instructional resources (e.g. raw materials).

Student recruitment

• Speaking at orientation
• Participating in career fairs
• Encouraging youth and adults to consider vocational-technical education
• Helping conduct events recognizing students, employers, or others active in vocational-technical education.

Student placement

• Facilitating job shadowing experiences, student internships, or cooperative work experiences
• Reviewing student skills certification and career plans
• Conducting mock interviews
• Identifying part-time work opportunities during the school year or summer months
• Arranging for testing via licensing agencies
• Securing jobs for program graduates
• Helping develop articulation agreements between secondary vocational programs and postsecondary education/training institutions.

Staff development

• Arranging industry internships or back-to-industry opportunities for teachers to upgrade their knowledge and skills
• Offering specialized training programs for teachers
• Identifying community resource persons to assist vocational teachers in the classroom
• Arranging meetings to establish cooperative relationships between education, business, and labor
• Inviting teachers to participate in professional or industry organizations relating to training program
• Helping teachers find summer employment in their field

Public relations

• Increasing awareness of vocational-technical education through newspaper, radio, and TV
• Introducing students and programs to civic and service groups
• Establishing awards programs to recognize student accomplishments
• Obtaining media coverage for special school events
• Participating in and promoting special school events
• Providing recommendations to the school board
• Developing and carrying out a local marketing plan for vocational-technical education
• Assisting in the nomination process for the WAVE (Washington Award for Vocational Excellence) scholarship program.

Community needs

• Assessing student interest and community support for vocational-technical education
• Identifying social, economic, and cultural needs of the community
• Evaluating the program with respect to employer needs and individual graduates' career accomplishments
• Conducting surveys to identify present and anticipated employer needs and job availability.

Legislative and financial support

• Supporting state and federal legislation that supports vocational-technical education
• Reviewing and recommending budgets for equipment and supplies.

Vocational student organization support

• Promoting efforts of vocational student organizations
• Assisting in developing criteria for competitive skill events
• Judging competitive skill contests
• Securing prizes or equipment donations for contests
• Arranging for display space to promote student organizations and special events
• Attending recognition banquets and special events.

Back to top

Hints for the Chairperson

The chairperson of the advisory committee plays an important role in seeing that committee meetings are well planned in advance, conducted following an agenda, and expedited to make efficient use of everyone's time.

Responsibilities of the Chairperson

• Establish meeting date in cooperation with the committee.
• Plan meeting agendas in cooperation with staff members.
• Maintain the necessary contacts with members and school personnel.
• Approve all announcements, notices, and other information sent to committee members.
• Call meetings to order
• Preside over all meetings, lead discussions, and bring closure on key points of discussion.
• Develop an atmosphere conducive to productive discussion and dialogue.
• Assign tasks to sub-committees or staff

The Normal Order of Business of the Committee

1. Call to order
2. Review and approval of minutes
3. Reports of officers and standing committees
4. Reports of special committees
5. Unfinished business
6. New business
7. Program
8. Future meeting information and agendas
9. Adjournment

Back to top

Responsibilities of the Staff Representative

• Prepare the meeting agenda in consultation with the committee chair and the vocational director. If new committee -- develop agenda with Vocational Director.
• Mail the agenda to committee members and staff members at least two weeks before the meeting. Include a copy of the minutes of the previous meeting.
• Call each advisory committee member the day before the meeting to remind them.
• Send copies of meeting agendas and minutes to the vocational office.
• Notify the vocational office of new committee members so a formal letter of invitation may be sent.

Back to top