Terra State Community College and North Central Academy partner to create virtual reality training opportunities
Terra State Community College has been awarded $200,000 from the Ohio Department of Education to increase career technical opportunities at North Central Academy (NCA). This grant will provide students with opportunities to earn career technical credentials in customer service and construction. Terra State will offer professional development to NCA staff to ensure that career readiness measures are being delivered in an effective manner. Both will partner with Digital Buckeye, LLC to create a library of virtual reality career exploration experiences for students.
“NCA staff has been working hard to develop work-based learning opportunities for their students,” said Brenda Luhring, NCA superintendent. “Unique partnerships are being developed to ensure the students have ‘real world’ experiences and learn the life skills that go along with having a meaningful career.”
One example is a newly formed partnership with Superior Credit Union. Leadership from Superior Credit Union will work with students on budgeting, savings, basic finances and taxes. These community partnerships provide critical knowledge to students to help them navigate the realities of adulthood.
Terra State Community College will provide students with training that will help NCA students with employment opportunities. These trainings include forklift operator certification and OSHA-10-hour Training. Many area employers are in search of candidates with these two credentials. Warehousing, logistic centers and manufacturing industries needed qualified operators. The OSHA-10 training provides a general overview of job-related health and safety hazards at the workplace.
Terra State President Dr. Ron Schumacher said, “The long-range goal of this initiative is to deepen the relationship among the students of NCA and Terra State Community College. This relationship will help the regional talent pipeline expand, and facilitate more students graduating with meaningful credentials and pursuing in-demand associate degrees at Terra State.”