Columbus Chamber and ESCCO Unite for Third Annual Careers2Classrooms Educator Workforce Boot Camp

Bridging Gaps Between Education and Industry 

The Columbus Region’s education and business sectors grew closer this summer through our collaborative initiative of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce’s third Careers2Classrooms Educator Workforce Boot Camp. We are honored to have partnered with the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio (ESCCO) to provide this immersive experience to 46 teachers and administrators from various school districts. This initiative was made possible through the generous support of AT&T, NiSource Foundation Columbia Gas of Ohio, Ingram White Castle Foundation, COSI, Ohio Contractors Association, and Ignite Industrial Professionals, facilitated by the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Together, our goal was to increase local students’ access to information about rewarding career pathways that don’t require four-year degrees. Thank you to everyone involved in expanding our children’s horizons!  

About Careers2Classrooms 

This June, participants gathered as 2 cohorts at the first of the different employers they would visit throughout the week. Each employer represented a different growing sector in our region and shared their real-life industry expertise with educators about what jobs in their industry look like and what programs they have created to develop new talent.  

• Energy: Columbia Gas of Ohio 
• Healthcare: OSU Wexner Medical Center, OhioHealth  
• Modern Manufacturing: Engineered Profiles, Worthington Steel 
• Information Technology: CGI, PERRY proTECH 
• Bioscience: Andelyn Biosciences, Labcorp 
• Supply Chain & Logistics: G&J Pepsi, FST Logistics 
• Transportation: Columbus Regional Airport Authority, COTA 

Participants were then challenged to create a lesson plan or other project that they could use to expose students in their school to what they learned throughout the week. They presented their ideas to representatives from the companies they visited, administrators from their schools, and community partners at COSI. Proposals ranged from transforming classroom chores into “jobs” with lessons about how they connect to real options and practical labs in subjects like math and science! New this year, participants also received training to incorporate virtual reality experiences into their career exploration lessons, along with access to check out equipment in the coming school year at no cost thanks to a partnership with AT&T and Transfr. Participants also earned continuing education credits for their work thanks to Ashland University.  

Why It Matters 

Without context, K-12 students make uninformed choices about what they are planning to do after they graduate. Teachers are credible and influential voices to our students, and, with help, they can feature opportunities that already exist in Ohio by being knowledgeable advocates of Ohio’s business community. They can help students connect with life-changing opportunities with employers and training programs. Raising this awareness among teachers requires us to proactively bridge the gap from a teacher’s current understanding of essential career skills and opportunities to what employers urgently need and how students can put their interests, talents, and passions to work.  

Program Supporters

Reach out to Nick Sheriff, Director of Development, to discover how you can support Chamber programs through the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Foundation. 

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About the Columbus Chamber of Commerce: The Columbus Chamber of Commerce is a mission-driven nonprofit organization that serves more than 2,500 organizations. Founded in 1884, the Columbus Chamber is dedicated to fostering prosperity and growth in the Columbus Region Business Community through connections, resources, and advocacy. Serving as the epicenter of the Columbus Region’s business community, the Columbus Chamber provides an interconnected ecosystem where businesses collaborate to eliminate barriers to prosperity, creating a vibrant environment for enterprises throughout the Columbus Region. Together, we make our region an exceptional business destination. Learn more: https://columbus.org

About The Columbus Chamber of Commerce Foundation: The Columbus Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s goal is to remove barriers to prosperity and growth in the Columbus Region business community through strong relationships and purposeful inclusion. Learn more: www.columbuschamberfoundation.org.