Terra teams up for Fremont Economic Development and Community Growth Plan
By PAT McCAULEY
Terra State
FREMONT – Residents and businesses that call the City of Fremont and neighboring townships home know they enjoy a high quality of life. However, not unlike all communities in Northwest Ohio, there is always a need to improve upon that high quality in order to attract and retain individuals, families and businesses. The leaders of Fremont have taken this to heart and created the Economic Development and Community Growth Plan for the City that addresses the issues facing the community. Fremont Mayor Daniel Sanchez and Executive Assistant to the Mayor, Robert Gross, attended a recent Terra State Community College Board of Trustees meeting to highlight the plan.
The plan has identified goals to attract jobs, improve housing and enhance the quality of life. Areas of need have been identified and include jobs, housing, shopping, education, healthcare and lifestyles. The goals set are meant to be measurable and achievable. City leaders will review and evaluate the progress made toward achieving those goals annually.
Terra State Community College will play an important role in the success of the plan. The Education Goal set forth aims to improve the learning environment of the community. The objectives and action steps were laid out in a three-day meeting held in April 2018. The objectives that pertain directly to Terra State are:
Support and help coordinate training programs of those students transitioning into the workforce.
Action Steps (Timeline: Immediately – 1 year)
- Work with the schools to help create or shape programs that meet the needs of local manufacturers looking for a skilled labor workforce.
- Make aware the many opportunities that are available for those students not interested in attending a traditional four-year college. Promote the various vocational or training programs that exist that would allow an individual to choose a career path while learning a skill and earning a salary.
- Be specific with the educational institutions as to what programs are needed in the manufacturing community.
Collaboration of the different institutions working together.
Action Steps (Timeline: 1 year)
- Terra State Community College & Vanguard-Sentinel Career & Technology Center have recently begun partnering on certain programs helping students to start a career path sooner, get additional education in their chosen field and begin an apprenticeship.
“Terra State is ahead of the curve in assisting with the plan created by the City,” says Terra State President Dr. Ronald Schumacher. “The College already has implemented with great success many initiatives that support the effort.” Those initiatives include:
College Credit Plus (CCP)
The CCP program allows eligible seventh through 12th grade students to obtain both high school and college credit by enrolling in classes at Terra State. Many students are able to earn an associate degree with their high school diploma.
Workforce Demand Scholarship
The Workforce Demand Scholarship provides 2019 graduating high school seniors the opportunity to attend classes at Terra State tuition free if they are pursuing a career in a high-demand job field. Recipients can also gain a guaranteed work-based experience.
Vanguard-Sentinel Career and Technology Centers Partnership
Terra State and VSCTC have entered a partnership to develop career pathways for VSCTC students in a variety of programs, such as, Auto Technologies, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Culinary and Hospitality Management, Digital Information Technologies, Engineering Technology and Robotics, Health/Medical and Welding.
START (Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Readiness Training) Camp
Terra State has partnered with Materion Corporation for a free four-day program that introduces high school students to skilled trades with a hands-on experience in electrical, hydraulics machining, computer numerical control, computer aided design (CAD), HVAC-R, robotics and welding and fabrication.
Kern Center Workforce Development and Corporate Partnerships
The Kern Center offers businesses and individuals a wide array of training programs and courses, certification and testing and apprenticeship programs.
“We thank Mayor Sanchez and Mr. Gross for sharing their vision with the Board of Trustees. Terra State is excited to be a key component in Fremont’s plan,” Schumacher said. “The College will build upon what we already have in place to create a learning environment that will go a long way to solve the education needs of the Fremont community. Terra State is here to assist in continuing Fremont’s reputation as a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
Pat McCauley is a PR Specialist for Terra, 419-559-2382, pmccaul01@terra.edu.
