ASHLAND — What opportunities exist in Ashland County once students exit the doors of their respective high schools?
A recent two-day educator experience is strategically aimed at providing answers to that question.
Organized by the North Central Workforce Alliance, 2 BE Connected partners local school districts and businesses to explore career opportunities, understand workforce needs and strengthen college and career readiness for students.
This year’s event took place on Monday and Tuesday and included 17 teachers from surrounding districts, including Ashland, Heartland Technical Education Center, Black River, Dalton, Hillsdale, Madison, Northwestern, Norwayne, Waynedale, Triway and Wooster.
Daily sessions spanned from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. During the two days, participants visited Comfort Control, Centerra Co-Op, Barbasol, Simonson Construction, Brethren Care Village and Step2.
The program helps bridge the gap between educators and the industries in their areas, Cameo Carey, director of Ashland Area Economic Development, said Wednesday.
It provides firsthand opportunities for teachers to see what different companies do and allows them to ask on-the-spot questions to high ranking company officials, Carey said.
Joe Reep, president of Comfort Control and current NCWA board member, said the relationship between local businesses and school districts is important because it allows educators to begin preparing students to find fulfilling careers in their communities.
It also equips educators with real-world examples to explain “the why” behind why something is being taught in the classroom, Reep said.
An example he shared with a fifth-grade teacher during the recent event compared measuring and cutting piping for a plumbing job to measuring and cutting a plastic straw with scissors — an activity that could easily replicate a real-world task inside any classroom.
Insights shared throughout the two-day program can be applicable whether educators are guiding students seeking to enter the workforce directly after high school, attend college or enlist in the military, Reep said.
“No two paths are exactly the same,” he said. “But each one is unique and important.”
Inquiry into what types of qualifications, college credits or work experiences local employers are seeking allows participating educators to use this knowledge and find ways to implement it into classroom instruction, Carey said.
She and NCWA Executive Director Erv Howard led the two-day tour of local businesses.
Carey said the NCWA’s planning committee helps organize and construct the schedule and tries to incorporate variety between the stops, including industries such as manufacturing, agriculture and healthcare.
The program is free for educators, with an option to pursue one to three graduate credits through Ashland University for $155 to $465.
