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OHP to Launch Three New Main Campus Programs

10/18/2021

 
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From Urbana Daily Citizen

Ohio Hi-Point Career Center (OHP) is providing incoming high school juniors and seniors more career program opportunities on the Bellefontaine Main Campus. Beginning next school year, OHP is offering Criminal Justice and Spa Technologies as two new programs. In addition, the district’s Outdoor Careers program is changing to Heavy Equipment Operations.
The Criminal Justice program is for students who want to serve the community and have a career in public service. Students develop communication, teamwork, leadership, and human relations skills while learning and implementing patrol protocols and tactics through a variety of simulations. Students also study constitutional law and explore a variety of career opportunities in criminal investigations, forensics, emergency response and security. Certifications for the Criminal Justice program include: CPR/First Aid, OC/Pepper Spray, ASP Baton Certification, Taser Certification, Certified Protection Officer, and ORDC Correctional Officer- Provisional.

In the new Spa Technologies program, students dive into skincare practices, makeup application, hair removal, safety, and infection control practices. The new student-run salon on campus will have a dedicated spa area, allowing students to focus on manicures, pedicures, waxings, and facials for customers. Certifications for the Spa Technologies program include a Nail Tech certification and Esthetician (skin care) license.

The Heavy Equipment Operations program covers a variety of pathways for students. The Heavy Equipment Operations course was the most popular elective for OHP students; therefore, the district transitioned the elective to be a full-time program. Students learn to use and maintain a wide range of modern equipment such as excavators, bobcats, and backhoes under actual working conditions. They’ll also be able to service, troubleshoot, and repair the equipment, making them an appealing hire for employers looking for skilled operators. Certifications for this program include: NCCER Level One Heavy Equipment Operation, NCCER Core, Forklift Certification, and Manlift Certification.

In addition, three one-year programs for seniors are being added including EMT, a Nail Tech Certification, and an Esthetician License program.

“These program additions and changes not only serve the student interest the district has heard and seen over the years, but also prepare students to find immediate employment in these career areas,” said Ohio Hi-Point Assistant Superintendent Brad Richardson. “We are appreciative of the community support we’ve received in establishing these programs for students.”

Additional programs on the Bellefontaine Main Campus include Animal Science, Automotive Academy, Construction Trades, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Diesel Technology, Education Academy, Engineering Academy, Graphic and Media Arts Academy, Health Careers Academy, HVAC-Electric, and Welding and Fabrication.

“Students spend half the school day focused on their career program and half the school day completing their required academic courses,” said Superintendent Dr. Rick Smith. “Our students have the opportunity to graduate with industry-recognized credentials, free college credits, valuable work experience, and a high school diploma. Our staff is focused on preparing our students for whatever their “E” is – employment, enrollment, or enlistment,” finished Smith.

The career programs on Ohio Hi-Point’s Bellefontaine Main Campus are open to incoming high school juniors and seniors. There are limited seats available in each program, and an application is required to be reviewed for admission. Ohio Hi-Point’s application for admission launches on Friday, Nov. 19 and can be found online at www.ohiohipoint.com/apply.

Ohio Hi-Point works with 14 school districts in 5 counties. In addition to career programs on the Main Campus, Ohio Hi-Point also has career programs in our partner districts, called satellite programs, exposing students to career skills at an earlier age.

For more information about programs and Ohio Hi-Point’s partnerships, visit www.ohiohipoint.com.

Design Challenge Celebrates Manufacturing Month

10/16/2019

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October is National Manufacturing Month

The Champaign Economic Partnership (CEP) in Urbana hopes to capitalize on the national monthlong celebration with partners in manufacturing and education to showcase and encourage young people to explore career opportunities in the modern era of manufacturing, including holding the second annual Champaign County Design Challenge.

“We are fortunate to have such diversity of manufacturing in Champaign County,” said Marcia Bailey, CEP Director. “We want our young people to understand the career choices that exist in manufacturing and having this opportunity helps them gain first-hand knowledge. We have approximately 3,700 people working in manufacturing in our community and many companies are looking for skilled employees.”

Last year, the CEP, Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, Urbana University, and manufacturers from around the area created the inaugural Champaign County Design Challenge. After a successful first year, the design challenge is returning. For the second year in a row, approximately 90 students from Graham, Mechanicsburg, Triad, Urbana, and West Liberty-Salem are participating.

The student teams were challenged to design a mousetrap race car within a series of criteria and constraints under the guidance of an industry mentor. Each school participating can have up to four teams with five students and is open to middle or high school students. For the challenge, the mousetrap car must include five simple machines and four wheels with the goal of the car going 20 feet. The teams cannot purchase or 3D print materials.

The mentors for the teams are Steven Brandeberry from JWP, Zack Zizzo and Stephen Oser from Orbis, Mike Wagner from Navistar, Colin Turcu, Hayden Gephart, and Ethan Hess from KTH, Jeff Helman from Rosewood Machine and Tool, Jacob Schmitt from Ultra-Met, Dan Yohey from Rittal, Tyler Bumbalough from the Urbana City Engineering division, and Steve McCall from Champaign County Engineer.

“The goal of the design challenge is to expose students to local manufacturers, interact with professionals, and use their creativity to complete a project,” said Allison Koch, Ohio Hi-Point Satellite Supervisor. “The groups are being judged on their collaboration and their ability to explain their successes and challenges.”

The teams compete at their school district and the winning team from each school district advance to the countylevel competition held at Urbana University on November 1. All participants are invited to listen to the finalists present each team’s design to the judges.

During the event, students are also able to participate in a tradeshow with local manufacturers.

“Design thinking happens at the intersection of art and science. Designers direct our lifestyle, create our products, and shape the environments where we live, work, and play,” said Dr. Christopher Washington, Executive Vice President and CEO of Urbana University. “Urbana University is proud to host the Champaign County Design Challenge event for young designers in our region.”

The Champaign County Design Challenge trophy is currently housed at last year’s winning school, Triad High School.

For more information about manufacturing programs for students, please visit www.ohiohipoint.com or www.urbana.edu.
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Students Sign with Bundy Baking Solutions

5/3/2019

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Ready for the workforce

By Christopher Selmek, Urbana Daily Citizen
Bundy Baking Solutions, 417 E. Water St., held a May 3 signing ceremony for three graduates who will be joining their workforce. Brock Bennett, Alivia Whitt and Lexis Bennett completed internships in different departments at Bundy’s and plan to work full time for the producer of baking pans, commercial bakeware and processing equipment.

Brock Bennett recently graduated from Ohio-Hi Point and will become a TIG welder at Shaffer Manufacturing, a division of Bundy Baking Solutions. Brock said he did a three-month internship with Shaffer over his summer break. He learned about the opportunity when his class took a field trip there and performed some welding practice. He will become a full-time welder, which aligns with his career ambitions. He said that after a year he may attend the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology to increase his fabrication skills.

​His sister, Lexis, found out about the internship opportunity as a graphic designer in Bundy’s marketing department through her faculty advisor at Clark State University. She has been working for Bundy’s almost a year and said she enjoys it and anticipated being offered a job. She graduated May 4.


“The environment is very relaxed,” she said. “They offer great benefits. Everyone is very nice, very polite. It’s unlike anywhere I’ve worked. Everybody is just amazing here.”

Whitt will soon graduate from Graham High School, after which she will become a press operator for American Pan. She said she discovered the opportunity when Bundy’s human resources representative, Nancee Starkey, visited her career connections class. Whitt was impressed by the opportunities for advancement and said she is planning to stay with the company while completing a degree part time at Sinclair Community College.

Business Liaison Ashley Cook said that the Champaign Economic Partnership’s Manufacturing Council worked closely with Bundy Baking Solutions to build a partnership that markets job opportunities to area students.
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Business Education Group Preparing Students

4/1/2019

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Champaign County businesses are struggling to find enough qualified, skilled employees to fill job openings. And local students need the education and skills to prepare for these in-demand career opportunities.

Local business and school representatives are working together to address both sides of this equation through the Champaign Business Advisory Council (BAC). The BAC complements workforce development efforts of the Champaign Economic Partnership, CEP Director Marcia Bailey said.

The Champaign-Madison Educational Service Center (ESC) formed the BAC about three years ago when a new state law called for school districts to form BACs, to build relationships between businesses and schools. The local BAC includes representatives of the five county school districts, Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, the ESC, local businesses, and Ashley Cook, business liaison for the CEP.

Businesses active in the BAC are primarily in manufacturing, but the BAC is inviting more types of businesses to get involved, said Jill O’Neal, a BAC member and human resources manager for Weidmann Electrical Technology in Urbana.

“We welcome more business leaders to attend to provide their input in local workforce needs and how to enhance school curriculum to prepare students,” O’Neal said.

Scott DeLong, president of Champaign Residential Services Inc. (CRSI), has become an active member. He wants to help address the need for qualified job candidates in human services and health care. “I’m excited about the work we’re doing, and hopefully we can keep more students in the community after graduation.”

The BAC meets quarterly, with 2019 meetings scheduled at 1 p.m.

June 26 at Bundy Baking Solutions, Sept. 5 at Champaign Residential Services Inc. and Dec. 5 at Graham High School.

O’Neal said that the BAC includes three active subcommittees: · Business Relations, to strengthen the working relationship between businesses and schools · Workforce Development, to address current and future workforce needs in the county · Curriculum Development, to develop educational programs in local schools to prepare students for in-demand careers after graduation Dan Kaffenbarger, ESC superintendent, said, “The BAC creates a line of communication and collaboration between the schools and businesses.

Our short-term goal is to inform older students about job opportunities in the county. For the longer term, we’re looking at middle school and early high school students, to help them develop soft skills (such as work ethic and critical thinking) and provide curriculum that will give them the competitive advantage that employers are looking for.”

Businesses leaders interested in learning more about the BAC may call Kaffenbarger at the ESC, 937-484-1557.
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CEP Uses Monitors to Help Spread Good Economic, Workforce News

11/28/2018

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CEP Ohio Screens
​The Champaign Economic Partnership in Champaign County has found a new way to share good news about economic and workforce development – and local job postings:  eleven 60-inch TV monitors strategically placed around the county.
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The CEP continually updates content displayed on the 11 monitors – one at each of the five Champaign County high schools; one each at Urbana University, Ohio Hi-Point Career Center and in the CEP’s office window in the center of Urbana’s downtown business district; and one each in the windows of three downtown businesses in Mechanicsburg, North Lewisburg and St. Paris.

The project is being supported by Urbana University, Ohio Hi-Point, Dayton Power & Light, FASTLANE, Darby Dental Smiles, Urbana Dental Smiles, Berry Digital Solutions and Weidmann Electrical Technology, Inc.

CEP Director Marcia Bailey said the monitors help inform students, county residents and visitors about local economic and community development growth, job opportunities, and education and workforce training. The monitors, she added, complement CEP’s partnership with local schools and manufacturers to prepare students for local career opportunities. Job openings advertised on the monitors come from the CEP’s local job posting website, Community Job Connect.

“I’m a strong believer in the education-workforce ecosystem. And the CEP is leading the way to organizing education and employers, preparing talent to meet the needs of our employers,” Christopher Washington, Executive Vice President and CEO of Urbana University, a branch campus of Franklin University, said.

The monitors are the ideal way to deliver the information, he adds. “Kids today are digitally wired and pay attention to what’s on the screen.”
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Kelsey Webb, Ohio Hi-Point Director of Communications and Marketing, said, “We’re participating because this is completely in our wheelhouse to prepare students for career or college. We’re excited to help spread the message that there are great opportunities here for students.”
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New Liaison to Strengthen Ties Between Manufacturers, Schools and Students

9/12/2018

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Ashley Cook Business Liaison
Ashley Cook
Champaign County manufacturers, local educational institutions and the Champaign Economic Partnership are working together to prepare more students for skilled manufacturing jobs.
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Their most recent initiative is creating a new part-time position – business liaison – says Marcia Bailey, director of the Champaign Economic Partnership (CEP). The CEP and Ohio Hi-Point Career Center have introduced the new position, with the help of financial supporters – the Champaign County Human Resources Manufacturers Council, DP&L, Clark State Community College and FASTLANE.
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Ashley Cook, Ohio Hi-Point’s new supply chain management instructor at Urbana High School, will serve as the business liaison 10 hours a week. She will coordinate activities that bring educators, students and manufacturers together.

Cook, who will report to Bailey in her role as business liaison, is an Urbana High School graduate and in 2016 received a bachelor’s in organizational leadership from Wright State University. Before becoming supply chain management instructor, she recruited students from 14 partner schools for Ohio Hi-Point’s main campus in Bellefontaine, launched the school’s first online application and led Hi-Point’s Student Ambassador program.

“Ashley will visit manufacturers to see what their workforce needs are, and she’ll be going to the schools to help make sure their curriculum is where it needs to be to prepare students for career opportunities,” Deb Wortman, Ohio Hi-Point satellite director, said.

Cook adds that she will help manufacturers spread the word to schools about internships and job shadowing opportunities, advertise open positions, and help coordinate job fairs, open houses and other activities where students can learn about career opportunities in local manufacturing.
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In her roles as instructor and business liaison, Cook said, “I look forward to being in the business world and working with students to prepare them for successful careers.”
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CEP Office Location:
1512 South US Highway 68, Bay 14,
Urbana, Ohio 43078

Mailing Address: 
PO Box 268, Urbana Ohio 43078
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