GREENVILLE — The Young Careerist Committee with Jennifer Bruns, Leigh Fletcher, and Karen Sink of the Greenville Business & Professional Women’s Club (BPW) hosted the January 12 meeting which was held at the Brethren Retirement Community.
Committee member Fletcher introduced Sonya Crist, a recent club member who gave a four-minute presentation on her journey from being constantly lethargic and sick to good health for which she credits a product called Plexis. She now has the energy to be the wife and mother her family needs along with generating additional income. Due to scheduling conflicts, Crist is unable to compete on the regional and state levels.
Committee Chair Bruns introduced guest speaker, Dr. Lisa Wendel, Career Pathway coordinator for the Darke County Community Improvement Corporation (CIC), who discussed the “Tackling the Shortage of Skilled Worker to Meet the Demand in Darke County.”
Wendel presented one of the biggest issues for many businesses is the declining workforce caused by baby boomers aging out of the workforce, population reduction, more students attending four-year degree programs, and changing skill needs. While a college education is not to be discouraged, she proposed that a four-year program may not be the best fit for everyone and there are alternatives to the debt that a college education may incur. She explained several of the initiatives and partnerships between the schools and businesses which include:
October 7 – a National Manufacturing Day where high school sophomores spend time in various manufacturing plants.
November 7-11 — a week long job shadow for high school juniors.
Various school presentations are done through the months of January and February.
April 11 (the Tuesday before Easter) — a Senior Straight to Work Job Fair where high school seniors are able to bring their resumes and talk with employers looking to hire.
April 26 (the last Wednesday in April) — a 20 under 20 banquet.
June 16, July 14 and Aug. 4 — teacher tours of several manufacturing plants
Also January through May there is an internship program.
Employers who are interested in obtaining information regarding these programs should contact Wendel at 419-852-0930or by email at [email protected].