Highland County ACCESS celebrates program kickoff with ribbon cutting
February 24, 2023 (HILLSBORO, OH) – Highland County ACCESS, a program created to build a stronger Highland County workforce, celebrated the program’s official kickoff with a ribbon cutting from the Highland County Chamber of Commerce on Friday, February 24, 2023. In attendance for the event were Highland County schools, businesses, elected officials, and local agencies.
Local organizations in Highland County began working on this program in July of 2021 and collaborated to form the Highland County Workforce Leadership Council. The Council is made up of representatives from the following organizations: Highland County Chamber of Commerce, Highland County Community Action, Highland County Economic Development, Highland County public schools, the non-profit: Growing Rural Independence Together (GRIT), the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center, Southern State Community College and the Village of Greenfield.
The mission of the council is to coordinate and sustain efforts among Highland County schools, businesses and communities to build a stronger workforce by identifying and cultivating the strengths of individuals and aligning them to the needs of existing and emerging industries.
“Our shared desire for this program is to have students and adults prepared for the workforce,” said Tim Dettwiller, ACCESS Director. “Through Transeo, a software platform that we have purchased, we are now able to connect school officials, students, businesses and community agencies.”
During the ribbon cutting, three Highland County students shared their experiences with current internships and work-based learning experiences. Alyssa Burleson, a Fairfield High School student, is currently interning with the Highland County Prosecutor’s office. David Smith, a McClain student, has been working as an employee at Greenfield Research. Alysa Carroll, also a McClain student, is doing her internship at Greenfield Veterinary Clinic and has recently been accepted into the Veterinary Technician program at Hanover College.
If you are a local business who would like to participate in the program either as a host for a student work based learning site, provide an internship opportunity or to join our speaker pool please email ACCESS Director Tim Dettwiller at tdettwiller@southernohioesc.org.
About the Highland County Chamber of Commerce
The Highland County Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit membership-driven organization that represents the business community of Highland County. The many plans and programs the Chamber offers its investors, combined with county workforce development initiatives, and local, state, and federal legislative/advocacy efforts positions the Chamber of Commerce as a leading organization in Highland County. Learn more at www.thehighlandchamber.com.
