ESC of Eastern Ohio Team Expands Work Readiness

CANFIELD, Ohio – This spring, nearly 100 students who are completing the two-year ESC of Eastern Ohio’s Building Trades Pre-apprenticeship program will leave high school with credentials and the opportunity to begin an apprenticeship program in the building trades.

The ESCEO’s Career Counseling Department developed the program in partnership with The Builders Association of Eastern Ohio and Western PA and the Ohio Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program. Since its inception two years ago, enrollment has expanded to 500 high school students across 15 districts.

Through collaboration with the ESCEO Business Advisory Council, the Career Counseling Department has targeted IT, health care and hospitality as its next industries for pre-apprenticeship programs.

More than 100 member partners, including local businesses, organizations and skilled trades, participate in the Business Advisory Council, all focused on helping local students learn about the career options here.

“The major appeal to these programs is the opportunity to begin training in high school and go directly into an apprenticeship after high school,” says Sandy Furano, director of career counseling services.

 Industry partners are sought to help establish the criteria for the programs and to provide the pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeships needed to complete the programs. The development will be a collaboration among industry partners, the ESCEO’s Career Counseling Department, OhioMeansJobs and the Youngstown State University’s Division of Workforce, Education and Innovation.

“Our industry partners and BAC members are instrumental in creating these programs that provide in-demand skills that establish the next generation of the workforce needed in the Valley,” Furano says. “We’re always welcoming new partners and BAC members to mentor students, provide industry insights and drive these programs forward.”