Extending Partnerships with High Schools to Motivate and Prepare Students to Enter College-Level Coursework with a Manufacturing Career Focus

September 2, 2020

Fellows:
Daniel Burklo, Northwest State Community College
Russ Clark, Southern State Community College
Kelly Gray, North Central State College
Melinda Mohler, Clark State College

Project Advisor:
Rebecca Butler, Columbus State Community College

Executive Summary:
In today’s workforce, 24% of current jobs require middle skills of a certificate or technical degree. According to the College Credit Plus Annual Report 2017-2018, “of the 23,408 high school graduates from the 2016 cohort, nearly 64% matriculated to an Ohio public college or university after high school.” The remaining gap leaves 36% of students in potential need of career training. To meet workforce demand, community colleges must create or improve partnerships with high schools and local industries to motivate and prepare students to enter college level coursework with a manufacturing career focus. The goal of our project to increase CCP enrollment in manufacturing-related career programs by providing a recommendation of best practice models to connect industry partners, high schools, and community colleges and provide opportunities for exposure and exploration of possible career fields.