Development Workforce Bolstered by Career Academy

By Kyle Rauch, Development Director for the City of Grove City

As a community, we have an important role in supporting our business community’s workforce needs and helping workers prepare for and navigate the current labor market.

We’re capitalizing on our strong partnerships with many stakeholders, including the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce, state and local economic and workforce development boards, community-based nonprofit organizations, industry professionals and local education institutions such as the South-Western City School District.

Grove City’s workforce development efforts have yielded many benefits as we work together with our partners to help upskill the local talent pipeline. For example, COTA Plus ondemand transportation expanded its service area and hours to meet the growing needs of Grove City’s workforce. New relationships are forming between employers and educators, providing streamlined learning and training.

The South-Western Career Academy is a state-of-the-art career technical school offering courses in 14 areas, from Automotive Technology and Mobile App Development to Culi- nary Arts and Multi-Skilled Heath. The Academy also hosts full-service, student-run “businesses” that are open to the public, including Automotive, The Cutting Edge Salon and The Academy Grill, where their burgers have earned the distinction of back-to-back “Best Burger in Grove City” awards during the annual Chamber of Commerce Restaurant Wars.

Educators and staff at the Academy are critical partners in the pursuit of expanded specialized training opportunities to help fuel our community’s labor force. College and technical courses offered through these programs help prepare students for entry into in-demand career fields.

With the full support of Grove City’s development team, the Academy and local industry leaders maintain several successful work-based learning programs, nourishing the community’s economic well-being. There are approximately 125 students participating in multiple areas of the Workforce Program at the Academy, connecting students with local businesses eager to foster their industry-specific needs.

For more information on the South-Western Career Academy, visit swca.swcsd.us. To connect with Grove City’s Economic Development Team, contact Economic Development Manager Brittany Seebach at BSeebach@grovecityohio.gov or 614-277-3021.