2nd Annual Kick Start Your Career Bus Tour a Huge Success
Friday, October 23rd, 2015 -- 11:13 AM
-Introducing our Clark County Youth to the sheer magnitude of careers available right here in Clark County was the mission of the Clark County Economic Development Corporations ? Workforce Council Kickstart Your Career 2nd Annual Bus Tour held on October 21st.Nearly 300 juniors and seniors and many chaperons, teachers and workforce team members from 7 school Districts of Clark County took the tours of 18 businesses in 5 different communities/areas.
Stephanie Wilsmann, AG Instructor, Loyal School District commented:
"Our society is currently in a huge movement towards going and buying local. Many young people realize the importance of buying local, but many only think of things like farmers markets and growing produce at their own homes. It was great for students to realize that Clark County has many more local industries to offer them not only quality products, but great job opportunities."
Categories that were toured included:
Health Care and Emergency Services? with tours of the Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center and the Owen-Withee Fire Department. At the Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center students learned a variety of things involving healthcare.
Jane Schmitz, Executive Director from Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center said:
"Giving the high school students the opportunity to tour the local businesses is great concept. It gives the students a chance to explore what career options are available in their hometown areas."
They then went to Owen-Withee Fire Department were Mark Renderman and other Emergency Service Personnel gave the students hands on learning ranging from how to suit up for fire, how to put out fires, taking blood sugars, blood pressures, and also were introduced to Law Enforcement careers.
Manufacturing tours were at Cummins Filtration, MEC, and OEM in Neillsville, additional tours were held at Industrial Fabricators Inc, Wisconsin Bench, and Thorp Equipment in Thorp.
Brent Lato from Thorp Equipment stated:
"It was an amazing opportunity offered by Clark County Workforce Council to see all these eager young adults realize everything that our area businesses have to offer them as they start looking at career choices."
The 3rd Manufacturing tour group went to Meyer Manufacturing Corporation, Parrett Windows, and Canadian American Homes in Dorchester. Students were able to envision the different aspects of manufacturing whether it be metal, wood, housing, or agricultural.
Chad Meyer of Meyer Manufacturing added:
"I enjoyed having students from our local schools come tour our 120,000 sq. ft. facility here at Meyer Manufacturing. Through this program we are able to show these students that we, along with other area businesses, have a variety of great employment opportunities right here in Clark County. Sometimes it can be very difficult for a student to choose a career path, and I think this program, put on by the Clark County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC), allow the doors of their future to be opened, so they can see all of the opportunities that surround them. Meyer Manufacturing would like to thank the CCEDC for allowing us to be involved with this program."
Agribusiness virtual tours were held at Malm' Rolling Acres Farm where attendees did a round robin session with the following 5 company groups:
Nutritionist ? Steve Heckel, Pro-Vision
Agronomist ? Richard Halopka, UW Extention
Robotics Milking Systems-Adam Steiner, Dairy Services, Inc.
Farm Machinery and Equipment-Matt Hasz, Tractor Central
Veterinarian Care- Dr. Darla Peyerk, Loyal Veterinarian Services
During the agricultural tour the students were able to participate in these 5 different areas of agricultural careers. Lists of area businesses that have these types of careers were given to each participant.
Joe Bartz, OEM Manufacturing, sums the tour up with the following:
"I think it is a great opportunity to give students from the area an opportunity to see the many different career choices available locally. It helps them understand that the future of manufacturing involves a diverse and educated team competing in a global economy. A strong work ethic and a willingness to learn will always give them an advantage in any career path they chose. It is also important that our students understand they do not have to leave the area to be considered successful."
On the bus training included creating resumes, interviewing and job searching assistance. All this activity was followed by a lunch at the Loyal American Legion Hall with Angela (Stadler) Eckman of CVTC doing a Team Building exercise with all students participating. A team building quiz was created from what was learned from the days tours.
Sheila Nyberg Executive Director of Clark County Economic Development Corporation says:
"The bus tour doubled in size in this second year. We have fantastic companies here that serve local regional and global markets. We want to make sure our youth know what happens right here in their back yard. Join us at CCEDC Workforce Council and watch for more projects and events for 2016."
They would also like to say thank you to their sponsors including the Listeman Foundation, Heartland Cooperative-Omega Valley Farmers, Kwik Trip, all our companies that participated and helpers. Without their generous support we could not make this program possible for our county's youth.
To join Clark County Workforce Council, participate, support the Kickstart Your Career event or join future events please contact CCEDC at 715-255-9100 or email us at [email protected].
To see pictures, copy the following link into your browser: https://clarkctywi.sharefile.com/d-s219d9a9f0344ae28
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.