Business Advisory Council
The mission of the Ottawa County Business Advisory Council is to engage the business and education communities to understand and support the educational and employment needs within Ottawa County.
Our Story
The Ottawa County Business Advisory Council (BAC) was established in the summer of 2014 as a means for business leaders and K-12 educational leaders to partner together to understand and support employment needs within Ottawa County. In addition, the BAC has a goal to engage our youth in better understanding the career opportunities available in their community. Members of the BAC consist of representatives from education (superintendents, principals and career coaches) and business leaders of Ottawa County’s leading industry sectors. The BAC would not be where it is today without the support of its community partners. The BAC was established based on the efforts of the OCIC and our partners to build a stronger relationship between education and business in an effort to develop a pipeline for our future workforce.
Since 2014, the BAC has seen over 4,500 students participate in the annual career showcase event, 72 students complete the CHOOSE Program, 62 students graduate from the Skilled Trades Academy, held five successful teacher boot camp events and eight student boot camps, and collaborated on other ventures that have allowed students to gain real world experience and prepare them for life after high school.
The BAC believes that 100% of Ottawa County students should graduate from high school with a plan for their future. While Ottawa County school graduation rates are above the state average, the BAC believes that every student should graduate from high school with a solid foundation and plan for future career, college, military and/or vocational employment. The BAC aims to educate and expose Ottawa County students to the skills and continuing education needed to fill in-demand jobs in Ottawa County.
Our Brand
The Ottawa County BAC’s tagline “think | learn | work | succeed” represents our overall goals and initiatives.
- THINK: The lightbulb represents ideas that come out of our BAC, and what we can do when schools and businesses work together to assist our youth and enhance our local workforce.
- LEARN: The books represent information the BAC takes away during discussion on workforce initiatives and programs.
- WORK: The wrench in hand represents collaboration and working together as a whole, as well as preparing students to enter the workforce.
- SUCCEED: The checkmark represents success; as workforce initiatives and programs succeed, our students succeed, and when our students succeed, our BAC succeeds.
The colors of our logo do not associate with a specific Ottawa County school, but rather represent a major asset here in Ottawa County – Lake Erie.
4 STAR BUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL
North Point Educational Service Center’s BAC (includes business advisory councils of Huron, Erie, Ottawa and Sandusky Counties) was recognized as a four-star council (one of five in Ohio).
PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES
YOUNG
WOMEN
LEAD
The Young Women LEAD (YWL) conference empowers high school freshman girls with leadership, confidence, and workforce skills. The inaugural event, held on March 21, 2024, at the Liberty Aviation Museum, featured keynote speaker Julie Carrier and interactive sessions with community leaders. The second annual event will be held in March 2025 in collaboration with Erie County and Huron County.
Young Women LEAD serves as a platform for young women to explore their leadership potential, engage with mentors, and build networks that support their personal and professional growth. Students gain exposure to various career paths and develop skills that are crucial for their future endeavors.
Ottawa County’s teacher and student boot camps connect education with workforce needs by providing hands-on learning opportunities. Teacher Boot Camps, held each June through the NPESC Business Advisory Council, immerse educators in local industries to help them better prepare students for career success.
Meanwhile, Student Boot Camps, organized by the Ottawa County BAC, expose students to in-demand skills and career pathways through interactive experiences in fields like STEM and public safety. Together, these programs align education with regional workforce demands, fostering career readiness and community growth.
BOOT
CAMPS
CAREER
SHOWCASE
High School Juniors connect with local businesses to explore a wide range of career opportunities within the communities where they live, learn, and play. This event offers hands-on, interactive activities with exhibitors, providing students a chance to gain insight into different industries, professions, and career pathways. By engaging directly with local employers, students can discover potential interests and build awareness of the career possibilities available close to home.
This event is part of an ongoing effort to inspire and prepare the next generation of the workforce, fostering strong connections between education and local industries.
Ottawa County high school students can earn academic credit by participating in the CHOOSE Program, which stands for Career, Hosting, Opportunities, Outreach, Shadowing, and Experience.
The CHOOSE Program allows high school juniors and seniors to earn up to one academic credit (120 internship hours) while gaining real-world experience and entry-level skills in various occupations. Participants benefit from flexible scheduling, job shadowing with up to four employers, and hands-on career exploration, bridging the gap between school and the workplace.
CHOOSE
PROGRAM
ANNUAL REPORTS
