1996

WEEK OF

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Area re-e benefits of Eccc•s workplace partnership DECATUR- The area workforce surrounding East Central Community College in Decatur, including Lauderdale, Leake, Neshoba, Newton. Scott and Winston counties, is reaping benefits from the col– lege's Work-Based Learning program through partnerships with local businesses and industries. "Work-Based Learnmg enables businesses and indus– tnes to groom future, full-time employees and allows techni– cal students to showcase capa– bilities in compet1t1ve Industrial settings," Roger Whitlock, ECCC WBL coordinator. said. "The program also provides instructors d1rect communica– tion with the employers who trust them to prepare students for tomorrow's workforce." Currently, there are 20 pro– gressive businesses and Indus– tries in the ECCC area employ– ing WBL students. These include Riley Memorial Hospi– tal, Leake County Chamber of Commerce, Choctaw Maid Farms Inc., Kids' Korner Day– care, ECCC, Weyerhaeuser Corporation, e ton Co nt Bank, U.S. Electrical Motors and Taylor Machme Works. "Work-Based Learning g1ves Riley a chance to select capa– ble students w1th specif1c edu– cation." Warren Weed, human resources director for Riley's in Meridian. said. "Th1s type of student placement gives Riley a direct line of communication to Influence the development of tutu ·e employees. The partner– ship is very beneficial to us. Work Based Learning is pro– VIded through the college's Skillffech One-Stop Career Center. Also participating in the p ogram are Maxim Manufac– turing Corporation, Community Bank of Forest, Union Cham- , -. -=-----··

"Roger Whitlock right, coordinator of the Work-Based Learning program, works w1th stud 1n technical programs. Picture from left are Jimothy Lewis, Mark Bradshaw Randy Cum land and Tffany Lathem.

Chevrolet, Peavey Electronics, T&P Enterpnse and Watkins Service Center "We at Community Bank are very exc1ted about this pro– gram," Hughlene Anderson, human resources director for Community Bank of Forest said. "It gives us the chance to look for qualified personnel while offering students work experience that enhances their classroom learning." There are 30 students from 1 0 of the college's technology programs gaining "hands-on experience this year They are able to apply educational knowledge to "real world" work situations which parallel the1r chosen college major. "The Work-Based Learning program is helpmg me gam valuable experience while pur– suing a degree.'' Karen Adams administrative assistant at the Leake County Chamber of Commerce, said. Through WBL, students rece1ve a financial reward in addition to academic credit. They also receive clock-hour recogn1tton from ECCC for par– tiCipation in these quality-con– trolled, "cooperative" educa– tional acranqements.

administrative assistant at Tay– lor Machine Works m Louisville sa1d Technology instructors are constantly challenged by stu– dents who face relevant, mean– mgful s1tuations on JObs arranged through the program. These part(lerships give instructors a foundation to ade– quately prepare students for Immediate success in the work– place. 'Work-Based Learning stu– dents force me to keep abreast of employer needs and address those expectat1ons through the business technolo– gy curriculum," Elizabeth Pitts, ECCC business technology instructor from Union, said. WBL creates an opportunity for greatly enhanced communi· cation'between employers and educators. Through this school-to-work initiative, ECCC can ensure that the students learn the nght things, teachers address the appropriate com– petencies and business/indus· try commumties access 'work ready" students prepared to make an Immediate contribu– tion to the area workforce. For more information on Work-Based Learning. contract Ulh;••~" ~r.r.c. Decatur,