Name: Herbert E. Randall
Age: 53
Position: Director, Hawaii School to Work Program
Education: USC; Boston University; Auburn
Pastimes: Sports

"It's so exciting to see the fire lit, to see it in their eyes."

The U.S. Army helped Randall, a high school drop-out, realize he had the potential to succeed. All he needed was a little hard work and an education to get ahead in life, instructors convinced him.

He worked his way up from private to colonel, and to a doctorate in education.

Now, at 53, and head of the Hawaii School to Work Opportunities System, Randall wants to do what the army did for him at seventeen: help young people realize and reach their potential.

As executive director, Randall will spearhead a new statewide program that will prepare Hawaii's youths entering the work force.

Randall, a Hawaii Kai resident, is in charge of implementing a statewide system that will provide career awareness, career exploration and career preparation activities for kindergarten through high school students.

The federally funded program will unite schools, community organizations and businesses in a partnership.

Schools will set up partnerships with businesses in their area while Randall will work the Chamber of Commerce and heads of industries explaining the program and asking how they will help.

"This a long-term investment, but well worth everybody's time and money," he said.

The U.S. is the only industrial nation that does not have a school-to-work system in place, Randall said. Countries like Germany and Japan have model systems in effect.

Congress recently passed an act to establish this system following years of complaints by businesses that high school graduates were unprepared for the workplace.

Prior to his new appointment, Randall was the administrator of the Native Hawaiian Vocational Education Program at Alu Like for four years.

He calls the new job "more far reaching," helping students of all ages and every background.