“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
— Nelson Mandela
POWER Academy: Connecting students and local businesses to strengthen our future workforce.
The mission of the POWER Academy (Presenting Opportunities While Educating Readiness) is to prepare high school students for future success by equipping them with essential employ-ability skills and meaningful exposure to local businesses, organizations, and career pathways.
Facilitated by the Chamber of Commerce, this six-week academy connects students with community employers who share real-world insight into workforce expectations, career opportunities, and post-secondary pathways. By aligning education with industry needs, the POWER Academy strengthens our local talent pipeline, supports workforce readiness, and helps build a skilled, informed, and engaged future workforce for our community. 53 Sycamore High School Graduates have completed this program since 2023
WE WILL . . .
- Skill Development : Students learn essential employ-ability skills as each applies to a specific career opportunities.
- Career Exploration: Students discover current and future job/career opportunities within Sycamore and surrounding area.
- deliver programs that inspire attitudes and desires to strengthen our community and create a heightened awareness of the needs and challenges that affect our community.
- Empower Students: Students will have the opportunity to build a network and create relationships with local business and community leaders and professionals from throughout Sycamore.
- Pathway Insights: Learn the specific education and certifications needed for specific career paths, creating a clearer roadmap to career success.
- Certification: Students receive a Certificate of Employ-ability upon completion with a guaranteed mock interview with each of the presenters.
Students who are interested should contact Brian Swanson at Sycamore High School bswanson@syc427.org. Business professionals interested in mentoring or being a part of the POWER Academy Program contact Rose Treml at rtreml@sycamorechamber.com