WJER's Bill Morgan watches a graphic arts student work during a past installment of Buckeye Career Center's Director for a Day program. (Submitted)

New Philadelphia, Ohio – Buckeye Career Center is kicking off Career and Technical Education month by inviting local community and business leaders to be “Director for a Day” on February 5th.

The program allows area business, government, and community leaders to view BCC for an entire day while classes are in session. 

A distinguished guest this year is Ohio Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Dr. John Richard. Other confirmed participants include Matt Campbell from the Carroll County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Doug Peterman Jr. of Peterman Plumbing, Jon Mast of B&L Transport, Jeanne Wilson from the office of Senator Sherrod Brown, Tuscarawas County Commissioner Al Landis, Kayla Mast of Mast
Trucking, and Bruce Clay of H3D Tool Corporation

BCC Superintendent Bob Alsept says the program provides a window for the community to see a full-service career center in action. 

"We can have tours or open houses during the evening, but our greatest strength is the interaction between the students and their instructors. We wanted to create an event that would highlight the learning that takes place at Buckeye Career Center," he says. "It is an unscripted event
that gives our visitors an idea of the people and programs that make Buckeye Career Center so special.” 

The event also gives guests a chance to meet employable students and experience the education career center students are receiving. 

Alsept says he believes a strong workforce is the most positive resource for maintaining current employers and attracting new ones. 

"We want our business and community leaders to know that we have outstanding programs that give students the skills needed to be successful. We also spend a great deal of time emphasizing the soft skills that will determine longevity and upward mobility for our graduates," he says.

Directors will tour the facility and visit four high school career-technical programs. They will spend 30 minutes in each lab observing the students and participating in projects. Each director’s schedule is different, depending on their chosen career field and what programs may be of interest to them. The event also includes lunch, prepared by Culinary Arts students in the Joe Carlisle Café, and a complimentary gift.

BUCKEYE CAREER CENTER