PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
CAREER SHOWCASE … Bryan Police Department detective Justin Coffman (right) speaks to several Bryan High School juniors about law enforcement careers in the WEDCO Elevate and Explore Career Showcase held on Wednesday, October 22, at Bryan High School.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Juniors and seniors from six different Williams County High Schools took part in the Williams County Economic Development Corporation Elevate and Explore Career Showcase held on Wednesday, October 22 at Bryan High School.
The primary focus was a hands-on interactive event for the students experiencing what local industries are all about throughout Williams County.
“We try to make this as engaging and hands-on as possible,” said Karyn Cox, the director of teaching and learning for Bryan City Schools. “We have six schools represented that come through here today along with 400-plus students throughout the day.”
Schools represented were Bryan, Edon, Edgerton, Hilltop, North Central, and Stryker.
Cox commented that the event has been in the planning stage since the beginning of the school year, with many businesses, colleges, military representatives, law enforcement, fire and rescue departments taking part.
“Businesses have really stepped up, and they bring in something that represents their business hands-on,” pointed out Cox. “We have education here and employers here and even the military is here. Lots of opportunities for our students.”
The showcase definitely resembled a job fair, but one way in which Cox had stressed seeing the students to be engaged and learning the various opportunities and what local businesses have to offer.
Another big reason is the fact that a number of recent graduates throughout Williams County have moved away from the area because of job opportunities in the bigger cities with higher salaries.
One of the local businesses, Martin Sprocket & Gear, Inc, of Montpelier, was represented by two former Bryan graduates, Bryce Harris and Trysten Dilworth, both of whom are employed in the sales department.
Cox commented on the career and exploration fair had been going in for several years now, but the school district has been in a partnership with WEDCO. She is involved with the educational aspect of it and also works with the local businesses.
WEDCO executive director Ashley Epling said their major role is they already have the relationships with local businesses in promoting the showcase.
“We coordinate within to get the kids out and businesses in to kind of show them all the career opportunities that are in Williams County,” said Epling.
“Sometimes it’s difficult to get the kids into the businesses, so let’s try to bring the businesses to the kids. It’s a great event and it gets bigger each year. I love all the businesses that participate with their own little unique booths and ideas.”
She added that the showcase becomes pretty impactful for the kids who take a lot away from it.
Among the local industries and businesses who took part were Stark’s Plumbing & Heating; The Gerken Company; Woolace Electric; Reifel Industries; Spangler Candy Company; Arrow Tru-Line and Doc’s Diesel along with several area colleges and universities including Trine University, Defiance College, University of Northwestern Ohio and Bowling Green State University all of whom had informational booths on display.
“We try to cover every sector that way the kids can see a nice variety of opportunities,” pointed out Epling. “That’s our future workforce, so I think exposure early and often is what keeps them here.
“They can go away and a lot of them want to get the big city life, but I want them to come back here to Williams County and raise a family.”