Enhancing Rural Education/Business Connectivity: a New Model to Advance Workforce Development Opportunities
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Abstract
In 2010, the Hardin County Chamber Business Alliance identified the need to improve collaboration and communication between business and education as one of their primary goals. With a seed grant of $10,000 through OSU CARES, the Chamber partnered with the OSU Alber Enterprise Center and OSU Extension to survey business and educational institutions to identify opportunities that might help orient workers to future jobs in Hardin County. Fifty-eight businesses employing almost 2,000 people and representing all sectors (including education) responded to an OSU Extension Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) Signature Program survey including one-on-one interviews by the team.
Description
IMPACT. 1: This resulted in the development of a web based platform to connect resources and communicate opportunities to benefit youth, the unemployed, underemployed and future workforce. -- 2. This model creates linkages that focus on creation of a workforce development communications model that can be replicated in other areas.
OSU PARTNERS: OSU Extension; OSU Marion Alber Enterprise Center
COMMUNITY PARTNERS: Hardin County Chamber Business Alliance
PRIMARY CONTACT: Nancy Bowen-Ellzey (bowen-ellzey.1@osu.edu)