CLEARFIELD – The Greater Clearfield Chamber of Commerce recently held a roundtable discussion with area business leaders.
The goal was to develop a pilot partnership program to be implemented for eighth grade students of the Clearfield Area Junior-Senior High School during the 2017-18 school year.
Eighth grade students throughout the commonwealth of Pennsylvania are mandated to participate in career-based interactions during their school year.
The Greater Clearfield Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with Superintendent Terry Strubble and local businesses, will be introducing “Explore.”
This is a program developed by the Boys Scouts of America. It gives students the opportunity to learn about educational and career opportunities throughout the Clearfield area.
Each eighth grade student will be enrolled into this program, at no cost to the student’s family or to the school district.
All associated costs incurred with enrollment will be funded by area businesses, including Pennsylvania Grain Processing, CBT Bank and Bradford Energy.
Through the development of this program, students will have the opportunity to learn about practical, real world careers.
Students will be encouraged to continue their education beyond high school, in either the vocational or collegiate field, as well as to build self-confidence and leadership skills.
The Clearfield Chamber staff would love to foster a passion in area youth and to also explore the job opportunities available in the area.
The entire eighth grade class will gather for assemblies, during which guest speakers will make presentations during an activity period, with the first occurring on Sept. 25.
Representatives from Lock Haven University, Clearfield campus, and the Clearfield County Career & Technology Center will kick off the monthly presentations.
There will be a combination of both blue-collar and white-collar presenters within the same field, so that students can see how both professions can make things happen.
Parents will also be encouraged to attend and students will have the opportunity to meet with business leaders at the Chamber office outside of business hours.
Students will have the opportunity to be matched with a mentoring business leader and to find out about internships and job shadowing opportunities available. They will also learn about how they can gain employment upon graduation.
“It is the hope of all involved that we can connect with students and encourage them to choose a path in life that will allow them to remain productive and perhaps give back to others in the future,” stated Chamber Director Kim McCullough.
“We would all love to see future generations remain in our community and aid in its rebuilding. We hope to reach students during a very impressionable point in their life and encourage them to make positive choices that will lead them on a path to success.”
For more information on the Explore program, call 814-765-7567, visit 125 E. Market St., follow the Greater Clearfield Chamber of Commerce on Facebook or check out the Web site at www.clearfieldchamber.com.
