ASHLAND — The workforce development and education worlds collided recently when teachers met with Ashland-area employers to learn what these companies need in workers.
The eighth-annual 2BE Connected event drew teachers from four school districts on June 9 and 10. It’s also known as the teacher bootcamp, and it’s hosted each year in Ashland by the North Central Workforce Alliance.
The purpose of the event is simple: give teachers a look behind the scenes so they can learn what employers are looking for as students graduate high school, said Karen Alsop, President of the NCWA and employee of Centerra.
“We feel this collaboration is so important linking workforce and education,” she said. “Working together to partner with educating students with what skills are needed in the classroom often pair well with the workplace.
“We feel that allowing them to see things on these tours opens their eyes to what reality is in today’s world.”
She said the knowledge shared with teachers over those two days ultimately helps students as they enter the workforce. But even if the students don’t go straight into the workforce, the teachers can gain insight into the skills employers are searching for.
“This is a win for the student, the teacher, and the workforce,” Alsop said.
Teachers from Black River, Ashland City, Orrville, and the Ashland County West Holmes Career Center visited the following employers:
- City of Ashland – Street Department
- Centerra
- SJE Rhombus
- Packaging Corporation of America
- Simonson Construction Services at the Mechanics Bank construction site
- Brethren Care Village
“The teachers love this event because it allows them to visit businesses that they normally wouldn’t have have access to,” said Cameo Cary, director of Grow Ashland, the county’s economic development office.
Carey said the event also allows teachers to earn graduate credits.
The event’s concept has gained steam in the last couple years, according to NCWA’s executive director, Erv Howard. Other counties and states have adopted similar programs, he said.
