Pathways to Careers Creates Opportunity

Auburn Career Center, in partnership with the Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities/Deepwood and other state agencies, was one of four recipients to receive a Pathways to Careers grant from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD). The intent of the grant is to provide opportunities for individuals to obtain industry-recognized credentials, a new job or advance in their current job.

The program opened in May with 27 students attending seven career pathways classes, including IT Industry of the Future-Industry 4.0, Rise Up Customer Service, Automotive Basics-Torque Certification, Electrical Troubleshooting-Multimeter, Manufacturing Fundamentals, Culinary/Food Prep-ServSafe Food Handler, and Health Care-Stop the Bleed/First Aid/CPR. A significant number of students successfully passed the industry credential assessment, setting themselves up for greater success in a community job.

There will be courses offered in July, a second Pathways to Careers Open House in August, and another round of courses starting in September. A key component is the linkage to community businesses for experiences, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities. If you or someone you know with a developmental disability is interested in learning more or are a business who would like to support this effort, contact julie.oneil@lakebdd.org.

Below is a video about the Pathways to Careers partnership from a presentation made at AWT recently. It shares details and background so that viewers can better understand the importance of this community partnership. Click below or copy/paste this URL in your web browser: https://youtu.be/hCApQJWGFrY.