COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Educational Service Center of Central Ohio is working hard to create opportunities for students to enter the workforce while helping to boost the labor force. 

What You Need To Know

• ESC is providing funding for the programs in partnership with Goodwill Columbus at Whitehall-Yearling High School

• There are partnerships with 30 school districts, which allow students to earn industry-recognized credentials

• Workforce readiness and industry-credential training is available in IT, health care, and hospitality

With partnerships stretching across the business industry, chambers of commerce, nonprofits, and higher education institutions, avenues to apprenticeship programs, internships, and paid summer work experiences are now open.

These partnerships give districts and other partners the chance to transform the workforce while dealing with the gaps in skilled labor.

“All this has impacted the workforce through exposing students to in-demand jobs in the Central Ohio region through awareness building, and including virtual events, classroom engagement, teaching engagements, and parent events," said Jama Cobb, Work Based Learning Coordinator for the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio.

That exposure also includes mentoring for students.

“Groveport Madison, Reynoldsburg, and Whitehall City Schools have worked with Goodwill Industries, which will directly impact approximately 250 seniors,” said Cobb. “The data shows from 2018 to 2021, approximately 163,000 industry credentials have been earned, particularly 5,079 from just the Rise Up Program, which is what has been delivered at Whitehall and other examples.”