Organizations like Lenawee Now and the Align Talent Consortium know that one of the major challenges facing the future of local businesses is workforce development. Lenawee Now, in partnership with the Lenawee Intermediate School District (LISD), has launched an exciting opportunity for high school teachers, counselors, and local businesses to work together to strengthen the talent pipeline in Lenawee County.
Through the Teacher/Counselor Externship Program, educators and counselors can enrich their students’ education by engaging in unique professional development opportunities. The externship program is a paid, two-week summer experience for teachers and counselors to connect with a Lenawee County business and learn about the company, industry, skill requirements, job opportunities, and more.
Once the teachers and counselors return to their schools, they’re better equipped to educate their students on exciting local career opportunities, guide them through the available educational or training resources, and are able to better prepare them for success in a variety of different industries.
In Lenawee County, there is only one counselor for every 575 students, so it can be a challenge to reach each student with all of the opportunities available in addition to a college track. This externship program is an educational opportunity for counselors to help advise students on the education or skills needed to pursue their career goals, especially in regard to the numerous job openings that exist right here in Lenawee County.
“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to participate with the 2021 Externship Program for educators through Lenawee Now and the LISD,” says Keith Covey. “Clift Buick GMC was a tremendous host during this activity and I am looking forward to the opportunity to share what I learned and experienced through this program with my high school students at Madison.”
The Teacher/Counselor Externship Program is mutually beneficial to employers and teachers, as teachers gain a greater understanding of the business and the industry and are then able to see the connection between their curriculum to the soft and hard skills that are necessary to succeed in a workplace and offer important information to potentially pique the interest of a student who might like to pursue a different career.
“This was one of the most incredible opportunities I have been given to date,” says Katie McGormley who completed the externship program at ProMedica. “It has allowed more detailed insight to provide links between the high-demand industry skills and knowledge taught in the classroom so that I can better prepare future industry professionals.”
Local employers who agree to serve as host sites also will see the benefits of this program as they educate externs on their specific business operations, products and services, hiring practices, and more.
“Lenawee County is a fantastic place to live and work. It offers a plethora of local job opportunities with benefits competitive with larger nearby cities,” says Jim Van Doren, Lenawee Now’s Executive Director. “The Teacher/Counselor Externship Program is one of many ways that Lenawee Now and LISD are helping to ensure our local economy’s long-term success by addressing its growing talent needs.”
To apply or learn more about The Teacher/Counselor Externship Program, please contact chuck@lenaweenow.org.