SCEDC Receives United Way Grant

Andrea Gibson
Sandusky County Economic Development Corporation

Pictured L-R: Beth Hannam, SCEDC Executive Director and Abby Slemmer, United Way of Sandusky County Executive Director

Sandusky County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) a non-profit organization that focuses on workforce development, business retention and expansion, and business recruitment for Sandusky County, has received a $9,000 United Way Support Grant for two THINK Sandusky County workforce development initiatives.

THINK Sandusky County is an ongoing initiative of the SCEDC to overcome barriers to employment and address gaps in Sandusky County’s workforce pipeline by programs and different outreach efforts.  THINK Sandusky County is vital to attracting companies to Sandusky County because we are creating a pool of workforce by creating programs to reach the younger generation.  To stay competitive current Sandusky County companies look to the SCEDC to help with building the counties workforce as well through the THINK Sandusky County programs.

The SCEDC is taking a multipronged approach to workforce development that educates both students and school personnel on job opportunities and career pathways available in Sandusky County.  The SCEDC’s THINK Sandusky County programs consist of the THINK Manufacturing Career Showcase for Sandusky County 9th grade students, THINK Sandusky County High School Junior and Senior Job Fair, and marketing efforts to the participants, as well as, their guardians.  This grant will help cover costs of two new initiatives that will be happening in the spring and summer 2019.  The THINK Sandusky County Bus Tour will take place in May and the Sandusky County Teacher Manufacturing Bootcamp will take place throughout June of 2019.

The THINK Sandusky County Bus Tour will stop at 6 locations throughout Sandusky County from different sectors including manufacturing, agriculture and healthcare.  The target audience will be school administration including superintendents, principals, guidance counselors and teachers or coaches of influence.

The Sandusky County Teacher Manufacturing Bootcamp is for educators willing to gain first-hand experience about rewarding careers available in manufacturing in Sandusky County by touring 6 facilities and creating a presentation project to then be used in their classrooms.  Up to 24 teachers from 7 school districts could participate in this program and will receive 3 graduate credit hours from Ashland University.

The goal of the bus tour and teacher bootcamp is for educators to learn about good paying jobs/careers available in these industries and the skills students will need to be successful in securing and retaining these positions.

To learn more about the SCEDC’s THINK Sandusky County programs please visit www.sanduskycountyedc.org or contact SCEDC Executive Director Beth Hannam at director@sanduskycountyedc.org.