Friday, April 26, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
The problems plaguing schools today -- absenteeism, dropouts, gangs, apathy -- will be the problems plaguing business tomorrow.
"Dropouts are becoming a part of the illegitimate society and they are going to make money some way -- selling drugs, stealing cars, whatever," said Barry Shier, president and CEO of the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas.
Speaking Thursday at a Chamber of Commerce "Business and Education Summit", Shier said schools can't handle the problems alone.
Telling students to study hard isn't working for many, who don't see the value of education, because they don't recognize the job opportunities, Shier said. With 20,000 new jobs becoming available in Las Vegas by the turn of the century, students may be enticed to drop out and start their careers early. But he said the jobs will likely be unskilled.
Shier said businesses need to make education valuable to the students by hiring graduates, promoting training and providing advancement opportunities. But Shier cautioned businesses not to expect overnight changes.
"There are no quick fixes to this," he said, recounting the wisdom he doles out to co-workers lamenting about their battle with the bulge. "I always tell them, you were real patient putting the weight on."
During the event, several programs were showcased of the more than 400 existing school-to-work partnerships to exemplify what can be done and what has been done successfully at every level of education.
Among the current programs:
* First Interstate Bank, now merged with Wells Fargo, has "branches" in elementary schools under the Save for America program. It is a national effort to show elementary students the value of saving.
* Merrill Lynch has partnered with several middle schools to help students establish a business venture. Lynch representatives give advice, by sitting on the board of directors of a student-run business.
* Fairway Chevrolet has developed an automotive technician apprenticeship program for Vo-Tech High school students. High school junior Carla Utzman may be the first female automotive technician when she graduates next year.
* Local dentists have teamed with the Community College of Southern Nevada's dental hygiene program.
* Las Vegas hotels offer internships to UNLV hotel majors.
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