The Berkshire School District and the Geauga Growth Partnership will collaborate on programs to educate Berkshire students about Geauga County job opportunities and workplace expectations.
The two organizations are developing three programs: a career education workshop, field trips to business facilities, and business presentations in high school classes. The first event will be the workshop, to be held at the Kent Geauga Campus on April 24. The day-long session for all Berkshire sophomores will cover workplace soft skills, resume preparation, and interview skills and practice. Among the Geauga employers and others that will participate are Arms Trucking, Bonitas International, Company 119, Duramax Marine, Exscape Designs, Lake-Geauga Educational Foundation, Geauga Park District, Gold Key, Great Lakes Cheese, Ohio Valley Group, Saint Gobain, Tangent Corporation, and Troy Chemical Industries. The workshop’s steering committee is composed of Doug DeLong, Kelly Timmons, and Michelle Bagaglia from the Berkshire district; Tamara Hagerty and Stacey Barbe from Great Lakes Cheese, Jay Fairfield of The HF Group, and Leslie Bednar of the GGP.
“We are delighted to partner with Geauga County employers in bringing greater awareness of employment opportunities and requirements to our students,” said Douglas L. DeLong, Berkshire’s Superintendent.
“We are delighted to partner with Geauga County employers in bringing greater awareness of employment opportunities and requirements to our students,” said Douglas L. DeLong, Berkshire’s Superintendent. “Whether our graduates enter the workplace directly out of high school or after more education, employer needs and expectations should be front and center in their minds,” he said.
John W. Epprecht (Great Lakes Cheese), GGP Chairman, said, “If there’s one thing that Geauga County businesses agree on, it’s the importance of a qualified workforce. We’re looking forward to working with the Berkshire district and other Geauga County schools to increase student and parent awareness of the education and training that we’re looking for.” Epprecht applauded the work of the GGP Education Task Force, led by John W. Wilhelm, for planning practical steps to collaborate with county schools. In addition to Wilhelm and Epprecht, the GGP Task Force includes Carolyn Balogh (Mar-Bal), Jay Fairfield (The HF Group), Richard J. Frenchie, Lee Imhof (Troy Chemical Industries), John Steigerwald (Etna Products), and Keith Tompkins.
For more information, contact Doug DeLong (doug.delong@berkshireschools.org) or John Wilhelm (info@geaugagrowth.com).
The Berkshire Local Schools serves the communities of Claridon, Troy, and Burton. The district consists of Burton Elementary and Berkshire Jr/Sr High School. Visit our website to learn more.
Geauga Growth Partnership, Inc. is a business-led organization dedicated to the retention, growth and attraction of jobs, investment and economic growth in Geauga County. For more information visit the website or call 440-564-1060.
