Op-Ed submitted by Karyn Winters and Angela Grouse
We just keep GLOWing! Vendors and volunteers from across Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties recently conducted another successful hands-on career exploration program for local students. This workforce development program is designed to educate the next generation of employees in the skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, and food production workforce.
Now in its fifth year, the September 26th GLOW With Your Hands event welcomed 1,100 students and chaperones from 30 school districts across the GLOW region who connected with 200 representatives from more than 60 agencies and employers sharing engaging activities that provide exploration of careers and pathways into these industries.
The retirement of baby boomers, attrition, relocation, and a reduced number of job seekers in general have created tremendous pressure points in these industries in our region and across the country. “It is critical that we continue to engage students and employers to share the message that financially rewarding careers exist in our region, the pathways into those jobs are cost-effective, and employers in these arenas offer long-term opportunities with upward mobility.
With support from vendors and school districts, students were able to engage in hands-on activities and informative conversations throughout the day-long event. GLOW With Your Hands provided students the opportunity to operate an excavator, run a CNC machining simulation, try their hand at welding and so much more. Students explored the careers they were interested in and learned about others they did not know existed. Our vendors are subject matter experts with on-the-job experience, and they were well-equipped and excited to answer students’ questions.
The increased enrollment in BOCES programming and now the employment with participating vendors of students who have participated in prior GLOW With Your Hands programs is a testament to the success of this career exploration event. Employers know that by engaging and guiding students at an early age, they can recruit from a well-educated and prepared pool of potential workers seeking career opportunities right in their own backyard.
An event of this scale – the largest ever in our region – would not have been possible without the support of so many public and private sector entities. A big thank you to our platinum sponsors, National Grid and LandPro Equipment, and the dozens of other companies, unions, and agencies whose significant investment generated a successful event.
In addition to the support of vendors, 100 people from across the community volunteered their time to assist with the event, serving as part of the set-up team, parking attendants, tour guides, lunch servers, event clean up, and more. This program would not have been possible without the support of these valued sponsors and volunteers.
It is also vital to share our thanks with the students who once again expressed tremendous enthusiasm for exploring career opportunities at a successful GLOW With Your Hands event! The second annual GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare is just 5 months away, providing yet another venue through which to engage the emerging workforce and local employers!
Karyn Winters is Director of the Genesee County Business Education Alliance, and Angela Grouse is Director of Education to Employment with the Livingston County Area Chamber of Commerce. Both served as co-chairs of this year’s event.
