In Hawaii, we strive to provide our students — tomorrow’s leaders — with the skills needed to grow and sustain a workforce that is competitive both locally and globally. Many of the best jobs in fields such as astronomy, science, health, technology and energy, require specialized training and education beginning at a young age. Many jobs in Hawaii’s growing industries of ocean sciences, power generation, astronomy and agricultural technologies, are technical and require preparation in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and math).

According to recent reports, an estimated 29,000 job positions in Hawaii’s STEM-related fields need to by filled by 2018. Hawaii’s Department of Education is working hard to prepare our future generations for this growing job market by integrating engineering and technology into science instruction in K-12 classrooms.

However, these emerging opportunities come at a tough time for our educational system. Budget cuts leave many teachers with a lack of basic materials, including textbooks. As a result, students don’t have the supplies to help them learn the building blocks for these subjects, and it shows in below-par achievement scores.

Teachers, often struggling to pay bills, are digging into their pocketbooks to help. Public school teachers spent an average of $485 each of their own money last year to pay for school supplies, instructional materials and classroom materials. Across the U.S., this adds up to $1.6 billion in out-of-pocket expenses.

Growing up in Ewa, we got by with the simple pencil and paper — but times have changed. Today, teachers must adapt with the digital age and find innovative ways to keep students engaged. However, doing this is easier said than done. Our teachers already give so much and simply can’t be stretched further. Given the right materials, students can develop critical skills in problem-solving, teamwork, time management, communication and leadership. Equipping students with these skills will help build a smart, adaptive workforce that can power economic growth.

We can work together on creative funding answers to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities. These efforts start right here, in places like Honolulu, Ewa, Waimea and Kula. Parents and others can support schools and students in a number of ways, such as volunteering and donating through organizations such as DonorsChoose.org. This organization allows anyone to contribute any amount, at any time to the school and classroom project they choose as posted online by local teachers. This allows you as a donor to direct your money and see how those contributions are used in the classroom.

Businesses and corporations play an important role in working directly with communities to build bridges to the future. There are many examples: here in Hawaii, the Fuel Your School program, a collaboration between DonorsChoose.org and Chevron, donated $350,000 last year to deliver needed materials and school supplies to classrooms. Once again, this year Chevron will donate up to $350,000 to help support K-12 public schools when consumers fuel up with eight or more gallons at participating Chevron stations during the month of October.

We’ll need to work together — educators, parents and businesses — to help our students. Community members can donate to charities and volunteer. And corporations and businesses can contribute to local schools to ensure our students are ready for college and then the workforce.

We need to get busy. The Department of Education — along with the community support in Hawaii — will strengthen our future workforce and build paths to promising futures. Let’s give our students the building blocks they need for a better future.