At a Glance
The Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center works together with business and industry partners in many ways to prepare students for post-high school careers.
Overview
Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center (SCCTC) partners with local business and industry partners to provide students with real-world experience and the ability to further investigate their chosen field or learn about the other available opportunities.
Cabot Oil and Gas is a major business and industry partner. They work closely with Community Foundation, an organization who oversees endowments dispersed to the local community. In 2015-16, Cabot Oil and Gas donated $40,000 to the school. This donation was used to support financially dependent students with the ability to purchase the tools, uniforms, and supplies needed to learn with dignity and advance in their chosen career paths. In school year 2016-17, Cabot Oil and Gas gave $55,000.
Cabot Oil and Gas also sponsors students through The Challenge Program. The mission of this program is to motivate high school students both in and out of the classroom and prepare our students for real-world expectations in the work force post-high school. They provide incentives in five areas: attendance, academic excellence, academic improvement, community service, and STEM. Prizes of $200 are given to the top student in each category. This program sparks interest and pushes students to challenge themselves, learn accountability, track their own progress, and strive for excellence. Cabot Oil and Gas has sponsored The Challenge Program at Susquehanna County Career & Technology since 2012-13.
Procter and Gamble is another great business and industry partner. They have worked with students through the school’s various programs and have given students the opportunity to prepare for future employment in manufacturing positions.
LeatherStocking is a new company in the area. This company is currently working on providing natural gas conversions to local businesses and homes, including the Susquehanna CTC. LeatherStocking is working closely with students to help prepare them for post-high school employment. This will ensure no skill gap in this growing conversion industry in the area. There are also many welding opportunities with this company. They have met several times with welding technology students to discuss the career opportunities and requirements for employment post-high school.
Origin / Implementation
In an effort to develop industry partners that would not only assist with workforce development, but also create a new income stream, the Executive Director began with the development of a Business and Industry Advisory Board. She invited long standing key members of the community in addition to new business members that were developing the Marcellus Shale/natural gas industry to participate. This was the key to developing the new income stream that was so desperately needed for the SCCTC. These individuals eventually became members of the Directors Advisory Board.
The Executive Director focused on making sure that positive public relations were ongoing for the industry partners so that they were also reaping benefits from the partnership. Press releases were sent to all district newspapers following every meeting, school visit, awards received, and anything else that could highlight both the involvement and generosity of the SCCTC’s industry partners. These partners were invited to participate on the school’s Occupational Advisory Committees and they were also invited to be judges for Skills USA competitions. Both commitments aided in the networking necessary to secure their support and program involvement.
Results / Impact
The driving principles of SCCTC are lifelong learning and where knowledge meets application. Working with local business and industry partners, administrators and instructors at the Susquehanna CTC plan to continue to avail of every opportunity to provide encouragement, learning, and preparedness to students for post-high school employment.
Contact
Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center
Alice Davis, Executive Director
Email: alice.davis@scctc-school.org