Vantage part of grant-funded program
VW independent/submitted information
Vantage Career Center will receive funding from a $500,000 grant to help plan a program that will assist adults, 22 years and older in earning their high school diploma, while completing an industry credential. The goal of this project is to provide a template of services to reduce barriers, to help those seeking a high school diploma and occupation skills. Five regional grants were awarded in Ohio, and Vantage is a partner in the northwest Ohio region. The collaborative will be launched July 1.
The collaborative supports Ohio’s efforts to improve the state’s workforce delivery system; area career centers include Apollo Career Center, Four County Career Center, and Penta Career Center, with the latter coordinating the grant and serving as fiscal agent.
Other participating educational institutions include Northwest State Community College and Rhodes State Community College. Together these institutions will plan a comprehensive system to serve northwest Ohio adults. Assistance from local Ohio Means Jobs centers, Chambers of Commerce and economic development agencies will be included.
Participation by local business and industry partners will be critical to the success of this initiative. Participants will be reaching out to employers in their areas to determine immediate and future workforce needs and design curriculum around those needs to deliver certified and credentialed workers. The grant funds available are for the planning phase of the pilot program, and participants are asked to develop a plan to sustain the service after it is implemented.
Vantage will continue to address the needs of area adults in Paulding, Van Wert, Putnam, and Mercer counties during the implementation phase of this project through its current training programs. Adult Basic Literacy Education (ABLE) services will continue at Vantage in partnership with Apollo Career Center, which offers adults the opportunity to build literacy skills. In addition, Vantage will also provide credential testing at its Assessment Center.