April 21, 1998
School-To-Work program provides work force
By Cathy Willoughby
Staff Writer
A group of business people and educators who have collaborated to create the School To Work program in Seneca County learned about the challenges facing them Monday night.
Rob Radway, executive director of Ohio School To Work, told the group of more than 100 people celebrating Seneca Career Systems' first year of existence at the Meadowbrook Ballroom that they need to prepare a future work force.
Radway said that there was still a perception out there that to be successful, every student needs a college education.
''Currently 55 percent of every high school senior (class) is taking college-prep courses ... only 60 percent of those will ever finish a baccalaureate degree,'' he said. ''And of the group that does, less than 20 percent of those will find a job in their major. Why is that? Something's not quite right with education.''
He stated that there simply are not enough people to put to work around the country. In Ohio, he cited unemployment figures of less than 4 percent in Seneca County and 2.6 percent in Franklin County, which is considered full employment.
Radway said that he almost was tempted to apply at a fast-food location.
''I went to the drive thru at a Wendy's in Hilliard (suburb of Columbus). They advertised starting pay as $10.50 an hour. And at a McDonald's north of Dayton, they offered $10 an hour, health and dental insurance and a paid sabbatical,'' he said. ''I went in to talk to the manager and he asked me if I wanted a job. They simply can't find workers.''
He said that due to a lack of workers, fast-food businesses often are hiring people who previously would have been considered unemployable.
''McDonald's productivity is dropping 40 percent, and they are now targeting senior citizens to work for them.'' Radway added.
Which brings up another problem. In the very near future, he said, businesses will deal with an aging work force.
''Sixty percent of (all) Ohio (teachers) will retire in the next six to seven years. We will have a huge number of retirees in the next several years across the economy,'' he said.
Radway said that this community has recognized the opportunities available in bringing together students, parents, business, labor and community-based organizations.
''School To Work is opportunities. Students today need skills, they need skills to get careers. You are part of opening careers for young people based on fact, not perception,'' he told the group.
''It's not what we are teaching, but rather how we teach it.'' he said. He cited statistics that show 60 percent of all learners do best with hands-on instruction.
''School to Work believes that every student should learn in the way they learn best.... Students are not competing just among themselves, but against workers from all over the world. We are part of a global economy and all students need the skills that will make them successful.''