Turning High School Students Into Productive Employees

Building a strong Employability Portfolio for our local student community and workforce

NFIEC in Buffalo, New York, gives High School students the opportunity to learn workplace skills and how to showcase those skills. With the help of our business partners, NFIEC and the West Seneca Schools teamed up over 19 years ago to create a portfolio and computer-based portal called BEEP. It is offered in school districts throughout Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Wyoming, Orleans, and Chautauqua counties. Visit BEEP at https://beep.wnyric.org

How BEEP Works

When students participate in BEEP, they learn to possess and showcase skills that employers want. Students complete a digital portfolio through the BEEP portal website which provides employers and directors of admissions with an all-encompassing overview of a student's abilities. Local business people have stood behind this initiative by completing a review of student's portfolios and signing off on them as "students who are employable." After the review process, NFIEC presents the students with Certificates of Employability.

BEEP features the following:

• In-Depth exploration of careers and a vareity of student work to include: resume, cover letters, job applications, and letters of reference
• Reports on competencies reached in New York State Learning and Common Core Standards as well as CDOS
• Career Development and occupational standards that align with the Secretary's Commission On Achievement Necessary Skills (SCANS)
• Levels attained include areas of academics, attendance, SAT & ACT, citizenship, and work ethics and community service
• Writing samples, artwork, awards received, athletic participation, clubs, volunteerism, work-based learning and other extracurricular activities in various collections of work

Certificate of Employability

This certificate provides prospective employers with job-ready candidates by certifying the student applicant is knowledgeable and competent in certain well-defined skill sets. With the Certificate of Employability in hand, employers can be assured the candidate is qualified to be successful in the business environment in areas such as:

• Communication and Problem-Solving Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Research and Information Management
• Independent Learning & Time Management
• Leadership Skills
• Computer & Technology Literacy

2019 BEEP Scholarship Ceremony

The 19th annual NFIEC BEEP Scholarship ceremony will take place on Friday, May 31st at Michael's Banquet Facility in Hamburg. Over twenty students from 14 high schools in Western New York will earned a scholarship for their participation in the annual portfolio and interview competition. Sponsor this year for our event is Niagara University.

Commitment to Education Awards Forum - 2019

NFIEC's 2019 Commitment to Education Awards Forum is taking place on Tuesday, June 4th at RiverWorks in Buffalo with a theme this year on quality and long lasting partners. A group of local businesses and organizations will be recognized with an award highlighting their high-quality collaborations with NFIEC members. The forum enables members and partners the opportunity to dialogue and share successful collaborative efforts with teachers, school counselors, students and the education partner. For more information on the forum or to nominate a partner if you are a member, please contact the office at 249-6991 or email Executive Director, John Craig at jdcraig@nfiec.com.