Dayton Daily News Article, April 18, 2021, "Creating young workforce to step in for those reaching retirement age"
The Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC) has 137 senior students participating in the Work- Based Learning programs, and during the 2020-2021 school year the students have worked 51,464 hours, at an average wage of $11.84 per hour, and earned an estimated total of $581,000.
Robert Ewry, the MVCTC School-to-Work coordinator, is the liaison between the student, the teacher, the parents, and the employer.
“We hear from our business and industry partners the need for a steady pipeline of students to fill the vacancies created by the current workforce retiring,” Ewry said.
Over the course of the school year, as many as 11 MVCTC students have had the opportunity to work on the MVCTC Expansion Project. Joe Weaver, superintendent for Level MB Construction and a 2001 MVCTC Construction Carpentry alumnus, is working on the MVCTC Project. Weaver was
instrumental in working with MVCTC to employ the current MVCTC students in what is described as a large learning lab right on the MVCTC campus.
Weaver said, “As a past alum of MVCTC, I have been given the opportunity to better understand the importance of business partnerships and workedbased
learning. Pair this with the opportunity to assist in the construction of the new 560,000 sq. ft. facility on campus and you have not only a ‘win’ from
the standpoint of the company retaining trained, talented and ready-to-work students, but you give the students the ability to earn money while they learn
and have a front-row seat while doing so. ‘Win, win’! LevelMB has worked closely with Robert Ewry and the MVCTC staff to partner with these students
and develop their future in the trades. We are happy to invest in helping them understand what opportunities are available in their chosen field. As a
business, it is important to have these relationships with MVCTC to allow us to stay connected to a consistent resource of moldable talent and the
potential for retainment of long-term employees.”
MVCTC Construction Carpentry student Andrew Boggs (Northmont) is working for Level MB.
Boggs said, “Working for Level MB has been a good experience. MVCTC has prepared me for the job-site pretty well. After I graduate, I want to stay with
my trade and become a journeyman.”
MVCTC HVAC students working on the MVCTC projects are employed with Mechanical Systems of Dayton (MSD).
Ryan Bennett (Tri-Village) said, “I do everything from roughing in buildings to hanging ducts and working on roofs. I plan to stay with MSD and work to be
a foreman/journeyman. MVCTC has really helped me. When I graduate, I will be in the third year of my apprenticeship.”
MVCTC offers three options for Work-Based Learning, Internship, Pre-Apprenticeship or Advanced Placement. The Pre-Apprenticeship program prepares students for a formal registered apprenticeship training program. The MVCTC program allows students the opportunity to receive on-the-job training that can be applied to a state-registered apprenticeship program after graduation.
For more information about Work-Based Learning at MVCTC, contact Ewry at (937) 854-6237 or visit www. MVCTC.com.
‘As a business, it is important to have these relationships with MVCTC to allow us to stay connected to a consistent resource of moldable talent and
the potential for retainment of long-term employees.’ Joe Weaver business partner with Level MB
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