Northern Kentucky School-to-Work Partnership

Brandon Martin, right, is an aspiring commercial airline pilot. During his junior year, Brandon worked with Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport police, fire, control tower and noise-abatement personnel and, at 18, will job shadow an airline pilot on ground duty. Brandon's connection with the airline pilot is in progress through the effort of Tom Edwards, aviation administration instructor at NKU. Photo by Jo Kovach

School-to-Work in Northern Kentucky serves 20 school districts in eight counties. The focus for the 1997-98 grant year will include developing and expanding five industry models, sponsoring regional events and expanding the number of students in work-based experiences.

The industry model, Precision Tech Partnership, recruits students into manufacturing and allows them to co-op at a local business.

Another model is Food Service Internship and Management. This experience helps to dispel the myths about the food industry and offers training for interested students. Two other partnerships, Advanced Computer Technology and Construction-Maintenance, will be operational in 1998.

The Business-Industry Education Institute goal was developed for teachers to shadow in the workplace four times during the school year and then to incorporate their experiences into the curriculum for the 1998-99 school year.

Annual School-To-Work events include the Job Fair for seniors, Future Fair for sophomores and juniors, and the awards banquet for the best School-To-Work partnerships. Contact: Jim Hellyer, 606.491.1187

Industry-Specific Work-Based Programs

Precision Tech Partnership

A group of manufacturing companies, organizations and schools are currently working together to implement a training partnership to teach high school seniors or out-of-school youth the skills they need to enter the manufacturing industry. They will participate in an internship at Northern Kentucky Tech for 50 hours and then work and be paid for at least 150 more hours at a business. This program is tentatively scheduled to be available in late 1997. Contact: Chris Burns at 606.292.8704.

Hospitality Internship

A group of hospitality-related companies, organizations, agencies and schools are currently sponsoring an internship to teach seniors or recent graduates the skills that will put them on a course toward middle management in hotels and restaurants. If they complete the 150 internship hours, they are guaranteed a job above entry level. This program operates all year long. Contact: April Roberts-Traywick at 606.767.7912.

Food Service Management

A group of local fast-food stores and high schools are sponsoring an internship to teach seniors or recent graduates the skills that will put them on a fast track toward management. The participating stores and schools are working together to create a comprehensive training program that will include high academic standards and work-based learning. This program began in August and will expand to two other schools in spring 1998.

Contact: Chris Burns at 606.292.8704 or April Roberts-Traywick at 606.767.7912.

Current groups involved: Wendy's, AmeriKing (Burger King) and McDonald' s; Newport High School; Walton-Verona High School; and Boone County High School.

Advanced Computer Technology

A group of schools that currently teach computer classes will be working with computer hardware, software and related companies to enhance student training for this industry. The goal is to expand student learning outside the classroom through co-op and internship opportunities. This program will begin in early 1998. Contact: Chris Burns at 606.292.8704.

Construction Industry Consortium

A group of construction-related companies, organizations and schools are currently exploring a hands-on training model to teach students basic construction, maintenance and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) training. Students will assist in renovating urban and rural buildings in the community to learn the skills they need to enter an apprenticeship or a job in this industry. This program will begin in 1998. Contact: Jim Hellyer at 606.491.6871