A little friendly competition never hurt anyone, right? Right!
Which is why we kicked off the $100K NSCA Ignite Challenge last month, sponsored by Shure Incorporated and an anonymous integrator donor.
These two organizations want to see Ignite – a program that increases awareness of the communications technology industry among students and young professionals – continue its upward momentum and contribute to talent growth.
In order to do this, however, it takes money. The program is 100% funded through donations and sponsorships.
So far, with your help, Ignite has been able to:
- Get the Ignite Internship Program off the ground and help match employers with talented students who have an interest in our line of work
- Establish a solid group of ambassadors across the country who help spread the Ignite message
- Develop an online resource that students can use to explore our industry and the work we do
- Create content, from blogs to videos, that illustrate why people love working in this industry and the opportunities available
- Create an online job board so integrators and manufacturers can post open positions
- Host our first career event in California
But there’s so much more left to do:
- Fund the systems integration industry’s workforce development program
- Reach out to STEM program leaders, educators, guidance counselors, technical colleges, and higher-education institutions
- Continue to find unique ways to attract the next generation to our industry
- Support and subsidize industry internships
- Make continued updates to igniteyourcareer.org so students can see what a career in our industry is like
- Host more career events to attract new industry talent
- Develop marketing materials that integrators and manufacturers can use to raise industry awareness and attract new talent
This long list contains the reasons why two organizations stepped up to donate funds – and agreed to match the funds raised by other industry manufacturers and integrators. They want to see these Ignite initiatives happen. And we bet you do, too.
Through their donations, Shure and the anonymous integrator are challenging other manufacturers and integrators to support the NSCA Education Foundation as well by making contributions that equal $50,000 between the two groups. Shure will match manufacturer donations up to $25,000; the anonymous integrator will match funds raised by other integrators up to $25,000.
If the challenge is met, then Shure and the anonymous integrator will match each group’s donations – and a total of $100,000 will be raised for the Ignite initiative.
You don’t have to give tens of thousands to make a difference. A contribution at any level is valuable and appreciated. And there are many reasons to give:
- The money ultimately comes back to you. You’re giving money that goes directly to efforts to attract new industry talent – something we all benefit from. There will be more qualified applicants for open positions, allowing you to take on more work and ultimately leading to company growth.
- It’s a way to bring employees together. Set a goal as a team, encourage employees to consider donating (or asking their friends and families for donations), and then celebrate when you reach your goal, knowing that you’re also helping your own industry grow!
- It’s a good way to market and prove your commitment to the industry, your own business, and your customers. Donations put your company’s name out there, especially when they mirror your own company’s goals.
Follow along with our fundraising progress here – and thanks in advance for your support! Want to participate? Fill this out!