OTTAWA COUNTY 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. Through OCIC Retention & Expansion business visits, businesses in the industrial, manufacturing and professional sectors continuously express their growing concerns for meeting current and future employment needs. Regular business outreach through the OCIC’s BR&E Program has proven that more needs to be done to promote skilled trades and professional careers within Ottawa County.
Since 2014, the BAC has seen over 3,500 students participate in the annual career showcase event, 60 students complete the CEO Internship Program, 26 students graduate from the Skilled Trades Academy, hosted several skilled trades bus tours, held two successful teacher boot camp events, and collaborated with other activities 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 Ohio, with an emphasis on 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.
EMPLOYER LUNCHEON VISITS
Meet with students, face-to-face, during the school day to introduce them to current and future employment opportunities at your business. If you are an Ottawa County employer and are interested in attending a luncheon, sign up at the link below.
PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES
Students interested in job shadowing an employer for an 8 hour work day (or two 4 hour days, etc.), the BAC can help with that. Employers are eager to welcome students into their facility and show them the ins and outs of what their business is all about. Students may job shadow more than one employer. Available in 8th, 9th and 10th grade. (For 11th and 12th, see CEO Internship Program)
Students who participated in a job shadow with an employer and loved it, they may want to consider interning for that employer. Or maybe they want an internship during the school year. The CEO Internship Program allows students to develop entry level skills within the employer of their choosing, practice career management, and prepare for employment. Available in 11th and 12th grade.
Students who work with their hands a lot and would prefer to learn about a trade, refer them to the Skilled Trades Academy. The Skilled Trades Academy offers hands-on lab activities, OSHA 10-Hour, Marine Trades Certification, Forklift Training, off-site business tours and the opportunity to earn Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) certifications. Available in 12th grade.
The STNA Program will teach students, who are interested in the healthcare industry, the basics of anatomy, physiology, nutrition and help them understand how the body functions. Students will also understand how to use medical equipment and can earn their certificate in Medical Terminology. Students will have an opportunity to become STNA certified. Available in 12th grade.
Each year on National Manufacturing Day, students engage with local companies and learn about career opportunities that exist in the same communities where they live, play and learn. Students are challenged to engage in activities with the exhibitors in an effort to help students explore different career options. The event is held for Ottawa County’s 9th grade students.
Employer bus tours are designed to familiarize high school students the types of businesses are located in Ottawa County, providing them with a better understanding of local career paths and opportunities. Local employers provide plant tours and engage in one-on-one discussions about career opportunities and employment needs.
ANNUAL REPORTS
