Building Tomorrow's Workforce Today
By Tabari McCoy, Scooter Media
Boone County Schools, Gateway College combine efforts to help employers overcome talent attraction/retention issues GIVEN THE 21,000 STUDENTS CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN BOONE COUNTY SCHOOLS, DISTRICT Superintendent Matthew Turner knows he and his fellow educators are tasked with a great responsibility. He, however, is not looking for fictional superheroes to prepare them to become members, and possible leaders, of Northern Kentucky’s workforce upon graduation. He believes those people are already in place. Now, it’s time to unite and do the work. “It’s part of our responsibility to connect with employers and work together with everyone in the community to make sure our kids are prepared and (that) there're jobs for them to go to (for which they are) prepared,” Turner says. “In that process, I met with Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore and we pulled together a group of about 25 to 30 business leaders to discuss how the world is changing and the skill sets they need. Now, we’re using the data we received as part of our strategic plan within Boone County Schools as part of our bigger picture strategy.” IGNITING CAREER INNOVATION Identified as one of three current strategic imperatives for the Northern Kentucky Chamber, talent attraction and retention has also been identified as a key issue for educators like Turner. While the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly contributed to current talent shortages plaguing employers nationwide, local business leaders have realized that piquing students’ interest in understaffed industries is key to growing Northern Kentucky’s future workforce. Enter the Career and College Pathways program and the Ignite Institute. Ignite Institute, located in the former Toyota manufacturing site, focuses on project-based learning in high-demand career fields. Ignite is part of Boone County Schools’ Career and College Pathways program, which explores careers in fields such as pre-nursing (in partnership with St. Elizabeth), advertising, PICTURED: Gateway's Line Technician Certification Program PAGE 8
NORTHERN KENTUCKY BUSINESS JOURNAL
