The Career Center's Adult Technical Training Center received recognition at the March 28 Post-Secondary Adult Career Education Conference in Columbus, sponsored by the University System of Ohio's Talent Development Network. The Innovative Projects Award recognizes the Career Center's Chemical Operator training program for enhancing workforce skills and meeting employer needs in the local chemical industries. The Career Center was one of three of the 76 colleges and adult training centers competing for the award.
The Innovative Projects Award recognizes the success of the Chemical Technician program in meeting Mid-Ohio Valley employer needs through technical training. Additionally, the award highlights the program's sustainability in assisting future local industries.
The program's success was due to local industries determining their needs - regarding content and job competency - which they advised to the Career Center's Adult Technical Training Center. The Center additionally developed programs specifically for chemical industries including Chemical Operator, Lab Technician, and several other related programs.
Workforce Development and Customized Training Manager Sherri Becker accepted the award from Anita Schultz with the University System of Ohio.
Upon being notified of the award, Adult Technical Training Director David Combs said, "It's exciting to have the ability to provide these opportunities for our students to advance their careers. It continues to amaze me how quickly Adult Technical Training can put a program in place once we are contacted by the business community, who are expressing their need for training."
He went on to recognize the efforts of Jim Siegfried, diversified industrial training coordinator, in partnering with industry to make training like this a reality. Siegfried noted the importance of the local workforce. "The job opportunities in the chemical industry are phenomenal and it is a pleasure to work with these companies that provide great jobs for local people," said Siegfried.
The Adult Technical Training Center was recently awarded a $1.1 million grant that will provide "on-the-job" classroom training and internships. This funding assists companies in offsetting the cost of training new hires, and pays for classroom training within the chemical industry.
The Career Center's Adult Technical Training Center is on Ohio 676. For enrollment information: 373-6283, or visit www.mycareerschool.-com.
