Community leaders link business to education News, Sports, Jobs
Police photo by ERIN THOMPSON
Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology Administrative Director Barry King discusses ongoing projects during a Business and Education Committee meeting held at the Academy on Thursday.
LEWISTOWN- Leaders at the Academy of Science and Technology would like to increase the workforce throughout the building.
Jennifer Jackson, a career coach with the Academy of Science and Technology told local business and education leaders that the school will see more banners and displays from businesses that partner with the school in the building — an initiative that would be undertaken by the National School. Technical Honor Society
Jackson and others discussed several ongoing and future initiatives that connect students to teachers during Thursday’s Business and Education Committee meeting. The event was conducted by students of the Culinary Academy.
Jackson said the school would seek tax-deductible donations from teachers who would allow students to participate in the National Technical Honor Society, and in exchange, receive a display at the school.
Supervisor of Adult Education Michael McMonigal said: The Academy is planning an open house for its educational facilities.
McMonigal said the academy is currently the only school within the four districts that offers training machines and open houses to introduce people to the program.
“We want them to know what capabilities we have and how we can build these partnerships with owners and manufacturers.” he said.
The event will take place at 2 pm on January 25 at the Academy.
Executive Director of the June Valley Chamber of Commerce Rhonda Kelley invited the aspiring entrepreneur to the Entrepreneur Meet-up, which was co-organized by the Mifflin County Industrial Development Corporation.
“We invite them to come and talk to employers who are already doing it … so it’s good exposure for students who think they want to open a business.” she said.
The next meeting is at 6 p.m., Nov. 17, at Shy Bear Brewing.
Kelley said the Chamber, in conjunction with Penn State Extension and CareerLink, is also launching a monthly Business Breakfast Club that will offer recruiting tools and tips for today’s job market.
The event will take place at 9 a.m. Thursday, November 17, at the Penn State Extension office.
In other news, MCIDC Executive Director Nick Felice said the lack of employment continues to be a challenge in regards to economic development.
“There is solid work across the board.” he said.
Felix said the guest worker program would employ legal immigrants in jobs locally.
“I think it’s likely you’ll see something like that grow in Mifflin County and the overall region.” he said.