Last week, this column discussed how schools and businesses are working more closely together than ever before. It also talked about how both entities have come to appreciate the importance of career educational opportunities for students. This week it will expand on what is being done locally to help young people choose a career and prepare for the world of work.

One of the more noticeable local examples is the “Dream-It, Do-It” campaign that has its Nebraska roots in Columbus. Thanks to Tony Raimando and Behlen Manufacturing this initiative was launched last year. Its purpose is to help young people learn about technical careers. It also is to help them learn how careers in manufacturing can be satisfying and rewarding.

Jon Misfeldt is coordinating this effort for the organization. They have used many tools to get the message to students. This is done through messages via radio, T.V., and billboards, which give information about the great opportunities available to young people in manufacturing careers.

Central Community College has been a key player in this area as well. They work very hard to help students get started in various career areas while they are still in middle school and high school. One example of their work is the evening job fairs they conduct for students and parents. These evening opportunities give families a chance to learn about and experience various trades first hand. They open their facilities and provide hands-on experiences along with expert facilitators to help young people and adults better understand careers options.

Another tremendous service CCC provides students is the opportunity to take classes in high school for graduation and college credit. These are called dual credit classes. CHS offered 16 of these classes last year. Many were through a partnership with CCC. They are adding two new dual credit classes with CHS next year. One is on applied math skills and the other is on entrepreneurships.

The math class will give students real life applications of math skills that are most used in the workplace. Algebra 1 is a prerequisite. The new class helps take the algebra and geometry skills students have learned and connect them to daily work.  The entrepreneur class teaches students some of the skills needed to run a small business. It also gives them an opportunity in starting and running a business. Again for both of these classes students earn both high school and college credit.

Experiential learning in the work area is also found at CMS where dozens of technical modules simulate career areas such as broadcasting, video editing, construction, GPS systems, alternative energy careers, CNC manufacturing, electronics, personal finance, engineering and drafting. The middle school is seeking more partnerships with local industry to add modules to their lab which would generate interest among students in other hot career areas such as health services, robotics, marketing, agriculture and construction management.

The Nebraska Department of Education has also been an important partner in career education. They have done this through creating an excellent website for students called NCE or Nebraska Career Education. Within this site, individual students are able to explore areas that are called career fields or career clusters. These areas are occupation pathways that students can explore based on their individual interests and aptitudes.

This website is also invaluable to students in helping them add to their own career portfolio as they grow in self awareness and career knowledge. This portfolio can include résumés, career plans, career inventories, and other information that students collect to help themselves become more career ready.

Career education is expanding. It is becoming more and more effective in helping students set direction for their lives based on a greater self-understanding and hands-on experiences. If you would like to help our young people continue down this path, please call our Chamber Education Committee. They can steer you to where you are most needed in helping youth prepare for their adult careers.

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