Mentor Schools Hosts Cardinal Connect Business Partnership Breakfast
Mentor Schools recently hosted the third annual Cardinal Connect Business Partnership Breakfast as part of Ohio’s In-Demand Jobs Week, celebrating the support from community partners and honoring local organizations for their impact on student success.
Director of Workforce Development, Joe Glavan, commended the collaborative efforts of the community partners, highlighting the Mentor Schools Career Academies as a successful result of stakeholder collaboration aimed at aligning student interests with industry demands.
Superintendent Craig Heath announced a $2.2 million state grant received in March, designated for the renovation of Mentor High School spaces housing the Career Academies. This funding will facilitate the transformation of key labs and the establishment of a premier IT and cyber security lab to ensure students are equipped for evolving job markets.
Glavan also discussed the significant surge in Career Technical Education participation, with over 50 percent of Mentor High seniors projected to be enrolled in various CTE programs for the fall of 2024. Heath emphasized the balanced approach to education options for students, including Career Tech, College Credit Plus, Honors, and Advanced Placement courses.
The impact of community partners like Lakeland Community College, Component Repair Technologies, The Greater Cleveland Food Bank, and United Way of Lake County was also highlighted at the event. These organizations have made significant contributions to student success, from expanding College Credit Plus opportunities to addressing food insecurity within the community.
Mentor High School Principal Jason Crowe credited Rich Mears, president of Component Repair Technologies, for the increased depth of their partnership with Mentor Schools, extending beyond manufacturing to encompass diverse fields like social media, marketing, and HR.
Overall, the event showcased the commitment of Mentor Public Schools and its community partners to fostering student success and addressing evolving workforce needs.
