Educator Workforce Boot Camp 2023

A Collaboration between the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio  

Columbus, OH – The Columbus Chamber of Commerce and the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio (ESCCO) are thrilled to announce the Educator Workforce Boot Camp 2023. This collaborative initiative is designed to empower educators with the skills and resources necessary to prepare students for an ever-evolving workforce landscape.  

The Educator Workforce Boot Camp 2023 serves educators at all levels.  This year’s participants included administrators, teachers, and support staff from Bexley City Schools, Columbus City Schools, ESC Classroom Participants, Gahanna-Jefferson City Schools, Groveport Madison Local Schools, Hamilton Local Schools, Lead the Way Learning Academy, Reynoldsburg City Schools, South-Western City Schools, and Westerville City Schools.  We look to grow this experience in years to come.

The Educator Workforce Boot Camp provides a unique opportunity for professional development and networking. The program aims to identify and connect students to high-paying, high-demand careers local to the Columbus region.  

Educators gained knowledge about career pathways directly from local industry leaders in the fields of construction, modern manufacturing, information technology and healthcare. Participants created and presented lesson plans and/or projects that will be implemented into the classroom, bridging educator’s current comprehension of those essential career skills to the industry needs. Educators gained valuable insight to the skills, training and education needed to help prepare their students for the workforce, while connecting those careers to their content.   

Our gracious corporate partners included CGI, EasyIT, Fluvitex, Kokosing, OhioHealth, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and Worthington Industries. Corporate partners benefit greatly from participating in this program as it allows them to strengthen and cultivate their future talent pipelines.  

The Educator Workforce Bootcamp was generously funded through the Columbus Chamber Foundation by AT&T, AWS InCommunities, Columbia Gas of Ohio and the NiSource Charitable Foundation, the Ingram-White Castle Foundation, and the Ohio Contractors Association. 

“We are excited to partner with the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio to deliver this impactful program,” said Don DePerro, President and CEO of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce. “The Educator Workforce Boot Camp 2023 will equip educators with the tools they need to navigate the changing workforce landscape and inspire the next generation.”  

“The collaboration between the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and ESC exemplifies our shared commitment to supporting the growth and development of our region,” added Tom Goodney, Superintendent of ESCCO.  

“This is a great way to share information with educators about the skills needed to prepare students for the career opportunities available at area businesses,” said Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation. “With record low unemployment rates in Ohio, this is an important strategy to recruit students to work for local businesses.” 

For media inquiries, please contact:   

• Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Hope Cotter, Email: hopecotter@columbus.org 
• Educational Service Center of Central Ohio, Joe Weitz, Email: joseph.weitz@escco.org  

About The Columbus Chamber of Commerce   

The Columbus Chamber of Commerce is a mission-driven nonprofit organization serving more than 2,300 organizations throughout Central Ohio. The Columbus Chamber, founded in 1884, is committed to advancing a thriving Columbus Region and provides support in the areas of research, government affairs, marketing, education, and workforce development. 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. The themes of our work are Bookend Talent Pipeline Support and Economic Inclusion. Learn more: https://columbus.org/columbus-chamber-foundation/about-the-foundation/.  

About the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio  

The Educational Service Center of Central Ohio (ESCCO) responds to the needs of our partners and provides services to support quality educational opportunities for all students. Learn more: https://www.escco.org/.