Endeavor News

Preparing students for local jobs




Bridging the gap between local schools and employers in the region who are seeking certain skills is one of the top priorities for the Northern Tier Education Collaborative.

Area school administrators and other collaborative members who are involved in local education and job training gathered this week at the Potter County Education Center to continue work on a number of initiatives.

A recent economic/employment profile of Potter and six other counties in the region reinforced the need for improvements.

North Central Workforce Investment Board conducted the study, which showed that employers prefer to hire locally, but have been frustrated by the lack of qualified job applicants. It calls for improvements in the use of government resources to address the opportunities for job growth locally in the oil and gas industries, finance, administrative support, waste management, real estate, tourism, health care and social assistance sectors.

Among topics on the Education Collaborative’s long agenda was an update on steps already being taken to better prepare students for local jobs.

Bob Wicker, former Oswayo Valley School District superintendent, has been spearheading the program. Among partners are the Potter County Education Council; the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center (formerly vo-tech school); 10 public school district affiliates in Potter, McKean and Cameron counties; and local employers seeking to benefit from an influx of trained job applicants.

An adult education element is also part of the plan, as is an outreach to the current workforce development agencies in the region.

Projects that have been implemented in the first year include an industry advisory council, career fairs in local schools, and “educator in the workplace” programs. Wicker welcomes input from the public, particularly local employers and educators, guidance counselors or administrators. He can be reached at the Potter County Education Center on Water Street in Coudersport, telephone 274-4877.

Also on Monday’s agenda:

• a report on the Critical Thinking Workshop coming up on Oct. 12;

• an update on Career Exploration Fair scheduled for Oct. 29 in Coudersport;

• an early overview of the Potter County Job Fair planned for April 7 at Northern Potter High School;

• planning for expanded Educator in the Workplace and Educator in the Career and Technical Center initiatives during the current school year;

• updates on the Early Childhood Learning Initiative and the expansion of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) learning opportunities in area schools;

• discussion of the Vocational Mentoring Program operated by Potter County Human Services.



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