OCA Workforce Awareness Initiatives

OCA Workforce Awareness Initiatives: Contractor Classroom Collaboration Spring Update OCA has been working to keep our contractors connected to classrooms in various ways this spring. OCA provides multiple programs under our branding of Contractor Classroom Collaboration, with the goal being to connect members with schools so they can build direct connections to our future workforce.
The Akron-Canton Chapter held their high school Rich DiGeronimo Constructor for a Day on Tuesday, April 19. The half-day program included 126 students from four local schools who learned about union apprenticeship training and toured a jobsite. The chapter also had many volunteers involved for the day. Project tours were led by chapter volunteers from The Beaver Excavating Company and The Ruhlin Company.	Students Pictured toured a project with The Ruhlin Co. as part of the Akron-Canton Chapter Rich DiGeronimo Constructor for a Day.
The Southwest Chapter held their college Rich DiGeronimo Constructor for a Day on Thursday, April 21 at Cincinnati State. Students and instructors from Cincinnati State and University of Cincinnati met with tour guides from The Great Lakes Construction Co. for a presentation and project tour.	Great Lakes Construction volunteers lea a presentation and project tour for Cincinnati State and UC students in April.
Educator Jobsite Visits were conducted in Akron and Columbus this spring, with a total of 33 educators attending to learn about careers in the highway industry and tour active projects. Participants included instructors, school counselors and administrators. Project tours were led by The Ruhlin Company and Kokosing Construction Company.	Kokosing hosted an Educator Jobsite Tour this spring to provide educators with resources about industry careers for their students.
This school year, a total of 36 Muddy Boot Awards were presented to students around the state including Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and North Central Ohio. This award encourages high school students entering the trades by awarding them a $200 gift card to Red Wing to purchase a pair of safety boots. OCA volunteers and union apprenticeship representatives were invited to speak to students and be part of the awards. Students were nominated for the awards by their instructors.	Students pictured received OCA Muddy Boot Awards at the Akron-Canton Chapter Constructor for a Day program in April.
For information about OCA’s Workforce Awareness initiatives, contact OCA’s Director of Chapter Development Melanie Kitchen, [email protected].