Rochester, N.Y. – As technology executives and government leaders voice concern about the state of education in the United States, a hands-on job training program developed by Xerox Corporation is helping high school students forge careers in the digital print industry.  
 
For today's technology-savvy students, Xerox's School to Career program offers an employment path that mixes the creative and the practical; students who master the arts and technological disciplines can become digital craftsmen.
 
The program explores each stage of digital print production, including prepress functions, design and page layout, photo manipulation, variable data and press operation.
 
Available in 41 schools within 11 states, the program has gained popularity as the print industry moves from mass production to more personalized, digital communications.
 
After receiving classroom instruction, students take their knowledge to the school's print shop to produce direct marketing pieces, posters and booklets using Xerox's digital technology and workflow software.  Print jobs are completed for customers in and outside of the school.
 
"With School to Career we have upgraded our graphic arts curriculum, created revenue and met the printing needs of our district," said Larry Aniloff, executive director, career and technical education, School District of Philadelphia.  "In turn, our students have developed relationships in the business community – they have been empowered to think beyond high school and plan for their future."
 
The four Philadelphia schools offering the program also report class attendance has improved and drop-out rates are lower as a result of the program.
 
In addition to the School to Career program, Xerox supports several initiatives to improve education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
 
"This country needs a constant stream of innovation and invention to maintain its leadership in an increasingly competitive global environment.  This stream begins with a workforce that is literate in STEM," said Eric Armour, president, Graphic Communications Business Group, Xerox Corporation.  "These types of innovative programs help create student awareness and interest, and point them in the right direction to build long-term, successful careers."