To familiarize yourself with the term 'Program of Work', it is good to read about the purpose of advisory committees and then read further about how to plan the program of work, prioritize tasks, enhance staff development, address career development and work-based learning, market the program, assist students, and obtain resources. 

The primary purpose of advisory committees is to advise educators on the design, development, implementation, evaluation, maintenance, and revision of technical/occupational education programs. Each committee must decide what it wants to accomplish based on the needs of its program and the requirements of business in its community. The committee then develops a plan of work to accomplish its goals.

Planning a Program of Work

Communication with members will occur in both formal and informal settings. Advisory committees should strive to streamline formal face-to-face meetings as much as possible. Providing materials for review in advance, either by email or regular mail, can ensure that meeting time is reserved for interactive discussions and decision-making.

Tours and lectures should not be scheduled during a regular meeting. Before work can begin, committees must understand that education and the business world have different cultures, each with its own terminology, and that those differences can create barriers to communication. One of the tasks of an advisory committee is to create a common language that both educators and employers can use and understand. This is an ongoing process that takes place via meetings and other means

of communication.

Communication and Meetings

Meetings should lay the groundwork for creating a productive atmosphere in which time is well spent.

Please read:  “ADVISORY COMMITTEES DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE” by Brian Manley (2001) (Source: National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation, http://www.natef.org/)

A helpful bibliography follows:

Idaho Professional Technical Education. (2006).  Advisory committee handbook.

Kerka, Sandra. (2002). Effective advisory committees. In Brief, no. 17. National Dissemination Center. 

Lane Community College. (n.d.). Lane Community College advisory committee handbook. Eugene, Oregon: Author.http://www.lanecc.edu/presoffc/committee/ptcc.htm

Massachusetts Career and Technical Education Curriculum Resource Center. (2003). Advisory committee guide (PDF).

Mercer, John W., and R. Greg. (1991). A working paper. Fifty indices of effectiveness regarding the program advisory committees in Minnesota’s technical colleges:

Council on Technical Education, State of Minnesota, Effective Advisory Committees Project. ED372205

Nebraska Department of Education, Nebraska Career and Technical Education. (n.d.) Developing a local advisory committee: Resource handbook. Lincoln, Nebraska: Author. 

South Carolina Department of Education. (2000). Handbook for advisory groups in career and technology education. Columbia, South Carolina: Author.  (ED441971)

TCOVE Regional Occupational Program. (n.d.). Advisory committees. Tulare, California: Tulare County Organization for Vocational Education. 

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