Editor’s note: This is the first of a series of stories which will be published over the next several months about the role of the Workforce Partnership of Shelby County.
SIDNEY — Define these two works: Workforce and Partnership.
According to Webster’s Dictionary, “Workforce” means “the total number of workers actively employed in, or available for work in a nation, region, plant, etc.”
And the word “Partnership” means “an association of two or more partners in a business enterprise; a contract by which such an association is created; and the people so associated.
When you put them together, you come up with Workforce Partnership of Shelby County which is providing guidance for the youth in Shelby County as they begin to look at their future careers while they are still in high school.
“The partnership came together after a series of CFO meetings that we held in the county,” said Mick Given, Ferguson Construction Co. president. “The common theme was ‘workforce and finding employable people.’ We at that time elected to pursue this issue and started our committee and at the same time brought into the committee private industry folks as well as Sidney City and Shelby County public schools.
“We needed to develop a partnership that was driven by private industry. Once we had a plan we presented that plan to the CEO’s that we had met with previously and asked them if they would help to get this initiative off the ground. They said yes and that then started our first three-year financial pledge period and the initiative has grown from there,” said Given.
Deb McDermott is the director of the Workforce Partnership of Shelby County.
“Mike Dodds, the executive director of SSEP (Sidney, Shelby Economic Partnership, formerly West Ohio Development Council at the time), was the coordinator of the CFO meetings,” said McDermott. “Back around 2010, the country was seeing the economy trend upwards … out of the recession. Mike set up CFO meetings to get a sense of the business climate from Shelby County business leaders. There was a common need for an ‘employable’ workforce who is drug-free, shows up to work every day, and has a good attitude. The available workforce is something that is always considered by a company looking to build or expand anywhere.”
With the principle of the Workforce Partnership established and local businesses and companies on board, Sidney City Schools was approached about implementing the program within the district.
“By asking the public schools in Shelby County to be partners and once they understood the goals and objectives of the initiative we had wonderful support,” said Given. “The support first started with Sidney City Schools in year one. With classrooms at Sidney High School as well as Sidney Middle School.”
“Workforce Partnership operates under a Board of Advisors, comprised of business and education leaders,” added McDermott. “Together they introduced this initiative to all the public schools in Sidney and Shelby County. Sidney City Schools administration immediately responded to this opportunity for their students and implemented the Workforce Academy program in year one at both Sidney Middle School and Sidney High School.”
The goal of the partnership with the businesses and schools is a simple one, said Given and McDermott.
“The main goal and objective of the program from day one as well as yet today, is to expose all Shelby County students to the wonderful careers available right here in Shelby County,” said Given, “and to educate and expose the students to what it takes to be employable. This deals with the soft skills, attendance, drug testing requirements and etc.”
“Ultimately, WP’s goals are to change the culture by helping to prepare the emerging workforce to be ‘employable’ and aware of the vast local career opportunities,” said McDermott. “By doing this, it is the goal that they eventually work, live and prosper in Shelby County.”
Given said the WP committee and the partners in the program has been amazed that many of the county’s students don’t know what type of employment opportunities are available to them in Shelby County.
“Shelby County is blessed with a strong manufacturing presence. This strength equates to employment opportunities,” said McDermott. “Shelby County is also fortunate to have excellent school systems. WP allows our Partners to connect with the students and open the doors to careers available here in Shelby County. WP serves as a resource to the schools and brings the employers and students together through coordinated exploration activities, so the students can better plan for their career path after high school.
“Introducing the students to the careers, the training/educational requirements, and making that connection to Shelby County businesses is critical in keeping local talent. Whether a student enters the workforce, an apprenticeship/certification training, or a 2 or 4 year college … there are Shelby County careers waiting for them! By offering WP as a resource to the schools, we strive to compliment their current career curriculum,” said McDermott.
The program in Shelby County is unique — there was no other type of program around like this when the Workforce Partnership was established.
“We really developed our own program and one unique component with our is that it driven by private industry as well as financed by private industry as well,” said Given.
“In my opinion, the private industry’s lead in this initiative is paramount. And to the best of my knowledge unique, as most other similar organization have government involvement,” said McDermott.
Given said the group hasn’t received any state funding for the program. It’s been supported through the local businesses who have joined the partnership.
“We have met with state folks and shared what we are going and they even attended the ribbon cutting associated with our year one,” said Given. “They speak highly of our program but have yet found a way to also partner with us. However at the same time we do not want our program to end up being dominated by red tape. We want to be able to move at the speed of private industry and not government.”
In the first year of the partnership in 2013, 29 businesses and companies signed up. Today, the partnership has grown to more than 40 businesses.
“”We first asked them for a three-year commitment to see if we could get things moving in the right direction. We since have asked for a second three-year commitment which will end in 2018,” said McDermott of the support each business provides the partnership. “Based on the success of the program, we be asking for another 3 years as well (in 2018).”
The role of each partner, said Given, is to help in the classroom, share with the students the career opportunities each business can offer them, help with field trips, and participate on the Workforce Partnership Board.
“The partners are the heart of this program, whether it be yearly funding, classroom speakers, special events, field trips, job shadowing, internships, or donating items for rewards and incentives. Every minute and resource they contribute is an investment in Shelby County, it’s schools, and students,” said McDermott.
The success of the program is already being seen, said Given.
“I can speak for our company Ferguson Construction and the answer would yes. We have seen improvement in students in terms of how they present themselves, their level of confidence, making that first impression and etc.,” said Given.
McDermott echoed Given’s feelings.
“I can speak from my own experience of visiting the classrooms and being involved with the students that I have seen students who at the start of the year were unsure and reserved, become more confident and outgoing. There are four full-time teachers in WP classrooms and they all excel in their profession. They are teaching skills and setting these students up for future success,” said McDermott.
Ken Schlater, Area Energy and Electric project manager/business consultant, said he is very happy with the progress of the Workforce Partnership.
“We have seen a very positive interest and awareness of the prospective young employees to the great possibilities and careers right here in Shelby County area,” said Schlater. “I have also seen an increase in the activity of our partners in getting the ‘message’ to the school students of the possible careers right here in their hometown.”
