VAN WERT, Ohio (WLIO) – Students from Van Wert, Mercer and Paulding counties explored some of the most in-demand careers in northwest Ohio during an event at the Van Wert Fairgrounds.
Freshmen and sophomores from seven schools attended the Build Your Future program, which is in its fourth year. The program allows students to explore different career fields, and for the first time this year included opportunities to learn about jobs in health care and manufacturing. Seniors from Vantage Career Center served as mentors, using their hands-on training to guide underclassmen through activities showcasing different career options.
“They get to hands on experience every day, doing something new, using their skills and stuff they're practicing to go out in the real world, and then one day, they'll be in our factories, building, our buildings, our nurses, our healthcare, our manufacturing, our electricians, just little bit of everything. And it's really cool to see the next generation taking their step into the future. I don't think it should be called Build Your Future. I think it should be called Build Your Dream, because everybody out here is dreaming of what they want to be doing when they are older,” said Tyler Zura, a Vantage senior who works for Alexander & Bebout.
The event also showed students they don’t have to go far to find their dream jobs.
“So, the freshmen and sophomores attending this event today were in early elementary, or late elementary school, early middle school, when the pandemic happened, and I think they were really the first influential group that heard the term ‘essential jobs’ versus ‘non-essential jobs.’ This is kind of bringing those terms to life, and I think they are really receptive to the hands-on activities happening today,” said Lauren Buchanan, Workforce Development Manager with the Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation.
About 500 students participated in the Build Your Future event.
