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VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
IN THIS ISSUE TOUR DE WORKFORCE: REGIONAL COMPANIES OFFERING DIVERSIFIED, DYNAMIC JOB OPPORTUNITIES GET TO KNOW YOUR BAC SUMMER EDUCATOR EXPERIENCE RECAP
TOUR DE WORKFORCE: REGIONAL COMPANIES OFFERING DIVERSIFIED, DYNAMIC JOB OPPORTUNITIES Are jobs within the trades industry destined to become some of the more valued, higher-paying power jobs? Answer: They already are. According to local leaders within the construction, health care, service and manufacturing sectors, HVAC installers, mechanics and nurses’ aides and more are enjoying rapidly-evolving careers that cultivate creativity while offering job security and other rewards. In fact, these types of positions are available right here in our own backyard, offering high school graduates and other job seekers with numerous opportunities. To find out where and how the trades are moving, Raise the Bar® consulted with a cross-section of sources within its own ranks: Hancock County’s Business Advisory Council (BAC) members. From regional nonprofits to international conglomerates, insight was offered on industry trends for skilled trades jobs that require training, but not a four-year degree. Servicers Did you know there’s a university in Hancock County that doesn’t charge tuition or require standardized test scores for admission? The University of Beltz Home Service is a one-of-a-kind experience for students interested in performing hands-on work with equipment
essential to our daily lives. The company’s “university” is a training ground where visitors can experience what it takes to repair and upgrade plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling systems. Owner Lara Beltz characterizes it as “a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.” Beltz Home Service also collaborates with K-12 educators to bring experienced professionals into classrooms to share knowledge and provide real-world examples through guest lectures, interactive demonstrations, and other engaging activities. The efforts are intended to inspire students, spark curiosity, and “showcase the exciting possibilities within our industry,” Beltz said.
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GET TO KNOW YOUR BAC
PURPOSE
All K-12 districts in Ohio must belong to a business advisory council (BAC). Your district participates in the Hancock County BAC, co-led by Raise the Bar® and the Hancock County ESC. The BAC operates under three quality practices, to: 1. Develop Professional Skills for Future Careers 2. Build Partnerships 3. Coordinate Experiences
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The BAC must meet at least quarterly, but yours meets almost every other month during the school year. Each district must include one representative. Your district’s representative is listed on RTB’s website. The BAC must submit an annual action plan and end-of-year report to ODE. Your plans and reports are publicly accessible via Raise the Bar’s® website. View your BAC’s documents at this QR code.
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Implement a countywide plan that integrates career exposure and experiences for all students, grades K-12. Improve communications between educators and employers to enhance curriculum and connect learning standards to real-world scenarios.
SUCCESS
Your BAC is one of the best, and its strategies are often showcased to other educators and employers throughout Northwest Ohio.
Educational programming is in keeping with the company’s philosophy of lifelong learning and stewardship that fosters a sense of purpose, offers direction, and encourages career advancement. Helping its workers improve their skills and innovate throughout their careers are tantamount. “We envision work-based learning programs, internships, and apprenticeships that allow students to experience the daily challenges and rewards of working in the home service field,” said Beltz. Beltz employs about 40 individuals, from technicians to office staff. It is seeking HVAC service and installation technicians, plumbing technicians, and an excavation operator to join its team. It also has potential marketing internships available. “The skilled tradesperson is the next millionaire,” a friend of Chad Parke’s once told him. Parke, who owns Jenera-based Parke’s Power Equipment, thinks this viewpoint has relevance. After all, more workers are retiring now than are entering the profession. According to the staffing firm PeopleReady, of the 12 million in the skilled trades workforce, nearly half are over age 55. “Analysts predict more than three million skilled trade jobs will remain open by 2028,” a 2019 Forbes story reported. “We need to have kids and parents realize that the repair industry is a specialized trade that takes schooling and training to be able to do what we do,” Parke said. “There are not a lot of people that have the knowledge and skills that we use.” He also pointed out that the lawn and garden industry is becoming more “computer oriented.” Continuing education is necessary, particularly for battery-powered equipment “that is taking off like wildfire from every supplier out there,” he said. “We even have blowers and chainsaws that hook up to the computer for diagnostics, just like your car.” The family-owned lawn, garden, and outdoor power equipment retailer, which has served the region for more than 30 years, sells and serves Husqvarna, Echo, and Toro products, including battery-powered equipment. Three full-time workers and several part timers are on staff for sales, repairs, pick-ups and deliveries. “We’re always looking for the right person to help out in parts and equipment setup,” Parke said. “We usually try to find a high school or college employee and work with their flexible schedule.”
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Makers International manufacturer GROB Systems, Inc. has a stellar reputation for building high-quality, automated assembly systems and universal machining centers for industries ranging from aerospace to automotive. It is also known for its robust apprenticeship program. “This is a great opportunity for selected candidates to learn an in-demand trade, earn a debt-free college degree, and start your career at a world-class machine tool manufacturer – all while being paid,” emphasized Mark Reed, apprentice training supervisor for the Bluffton operation. GROB employees enjoy working with others who have decades of experience, and who are passionate about progress and innovation. Those who are respectful, hardworking, and have a team-oriented mindset; can maintain focus; and are committed to continuous learning have the best shot at landing a job there. Some positions that were open earlier this summer included mechanical technician, IT specialist, and machinist. To educate students about what GROB does and to spark their interest in manufacturing, apprenticeship staff often visit area schools to speak with students and host various STEM activities, Reed said. Another business success story that has placed plenty of committed people on a sound career path is DNC Hydraulics. The company’s history proves how far one can advance when it comes to professional perseverance. What began in 1991 in a twocar garage in rural Rawson, Ohio is now a 78-employee company operating in six midwestern states. Its five divisions, which range from cylinder manufacturing to oil reduction planning, service the automotive, industrial, mobile, iron, and steel industries. DNC Hydraulics relies not just on employees with talent for problem solving, dependability and adaptability, but on a company-wide commitment to its core values. Being relentless in the pursuit of success is prioritized. Other values, such as family and innovation, follow. “No gossip” is also a tenet, with workers encouraged to “take bad news to your manager and spread good news all around.” The core values are emphasized in presentations to K-12 students about the company’s mission and at job fairs.
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Several area teachers (representing Findlay City, Fostoria, McComb, and Vanlue) participated in Bowling Green State University’s 6-week Research Experience for Teachers (RET) in Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Educator Program, funded by the National Science Foundation. Final presentations were made to area employers and economic development leaders in July.
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Any type of human activity leaves an impact, which is why the trades focus more on sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. International Valgroup, which operates a facility in Findlay, produces and protects. It has become one of the largest makers, transformers, and recyclers of plastic packaging for industries such as agriculture, food, and personal care. At the same time, it participates in the “circular economy” by, for instance, engaging in the PET recycling process and pledging to go entirely carbon neutral by 2040. The company’s website includes a ticker that shows how many PET bottles it has removed from the environment “while you browse.” Organizers The Findlay-Hancock County Alliance, home of the Hancock County Convention & Visitors Bureau, aggressively markets our community assets for visitors and business interests. Its small but mighty operation plays a key role in strengthening the local the economy, and it often offers internships that introduce students to fast-paced, fun, and rewarding careers. Those with a knack for and interest in creativity, public relations, public speaking, graphic design, and website knowledge are especially in demand. ADAMHS (Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services) serves as a voice for the health and human services workforce while also being attentive
to the behavioral health needs of other employers and their employees, explained Zach Thomas, director of wellness and education. It is a governing body of 18 community volunteers who serve as the assessing, planning, and funding authority for our community’s behavioral health system. ADAMHS and Family and Children First Council are partnering with RTB to develop a strategic plan to increase the health and human services workforce in Hancock County. “Part of this plan will include creating a career pathway into the health and human services workforce,” Thomas said.
SUMMER EDUCATOR EXPERIENCE RECAP Your colleagues joined us June 20-21 and August 7-8 for RTB’s two Summer Educator Experiences. School staff toured workplaces and learned about Hancock County’s employers and industries, including human services (Hancock Public Health), construction (Kirk Corporations), finance (Hancock Federal Credit Union), manufacturing (Rowmark/Johnson Plastics Plus), STEM (One Energy), healthcare (Blanchard Valley Health System), agriculture/ forestry (Ohio Department of Natural Resources), government (City of Findlay), logistics (Amazon Distribution), and communications/marketing (City Apparel). Be sure to attend their presentations to learn about their experience and their suggestions on bringing the employers into your classroom.
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Arlington Demiya (Miller) Trimble Cory-Rawson Emily Boerger Jennelle Cavin
Findlay City Erik Baker Jeanine Baker Lori Cole Beckie Rader Barbara Tardibuono Stephanie Toland Holly Wise Millstream Cory Ziebold
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Liberty-Benton Chad Hirshey Lauree Miller Brooke Pepliski Dillon Webster McComb Karen Damschroder Christina Florence Toni Hassan Stacy Palmer Torri Shenise
Riverdale Jena Bushong Emily Shaw Van Buren Bethany Archer Ann Jackson Cassie Olhrich Vanlue Emily Musgrave