Members of the Clinton County Workforce Collaborative recently presented at “Dream Forward: Imagine the Future of Education,” the 2022 national conference of the Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA) in Atlanta, Georgia.

“At the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center (SOESC), we know that a stronger workforce yields stronger schools and stronger communities,” said Curt Bradshaw, director of teaching & learning at the SOESC, and one of the session presenters. “We jumped on the invitation to present at the AESA national conference because we want to share with other similar organizations across the country our story, our successes, and our plans for the future.”

The session, titled “Business Advisory Councils Bridge Gaps: Collaborative Solutions to Workforce Challenges,” was selected by AESA organizers for the entrepreneurship/innovation/partnerships conference strand.

“It takes true partnership and collaboration between schools, businesses, and community organizations to tackle the critical and multifaceted issues surrounding workforce development, retention, and recruitment,” said Ruth Brindle, staff member with the Clinton County Port Authority and the other session presenter. “The opportunity to speak at the conference not only gave us a chance to highlight share what we have learned from – and about – that type of collaboration, but also gave us the chance to learn from others who are engaged in similar efforts across the nation.”

Bradshaw noted, “Our team was honored to have been invited to showcase the work of the Clinton County Business Advisory Council and Clinton County Workforce Collaborative on a national level as we seek to model the power of partnerships and innovative experiences to re-envision the future of the workforce and the roles schools, businesses, and educational service centers play in bringing that vision to reality.”