Business group makes strides

CELINA - A local business organization is celebrating its first anniversary with success stories and new ideas for finding and retaining employees.

Sean Dorsten, president of the Auglaize/Mercer Business-Education Alliance, on Tuesday told representatives of more than 80 area businesses about new partnerships and plans for the future.

"I feel we've made tremendous progress this year," he told the newspaper after the meeting at Wright State University-Lake Campus, Celina.

Several officials spoke about methods being used and new programs to familiarize area middle and high school students with businesses and the jobs they offer.

The speakers also discussed proposed projects on the grounds of the local university such as an $11 million Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics Research Center where local students of all ages could experience hands-on technology to help choose career paths.

"It's part of the Rise. Shine. Campaign we kicked off in March," said Julie Miller, director of the Business Enterprise Center at the local branch campus. "It all came to life during discussions with businesses."
  Much of Tuesday's session was led by Rod Moorman - former St. Henry schools superintendent and current AMBEA Career Pathway Coordinator - who urged businesses to reach out to schools, attend job fairs and educate students and parents about their industries.

"We all have to pull this together to make it work," he said. "I'm not asking for money. We need participants."

Moorman said he worked 14 years as a superintendent at St. Henry schools and became familiar with many local businesses through the district's Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics program.

Or so he thought until he visited 75 area businesses as the group's coordinator, he said.

"I knew what the local businesses were ... but I didn't know what they did," he said. "Our companies are in every continent of the world. It's amazing."

Business owners continue to echo the same message, Moorman said.

"They all said, 'We want to grow. We need employees,'" he said.

Business representatives told him they want employees who want to work and who are willing to show up every day and aren't on drugs, he said.

Moorman stressed that four years of college isn't for everyone. Internships and job shadowing with businesses who sometimes pay an employee's education/training costs often works better for many high school graduates.

Dorsten said AMBEA has raised nearly $100,000 toward its goal of $150,000. The funds pay Moorman's salary and will be used to purchase supplies, support training programs and other needs, he said.

Randy Niekamp of Crown Equipment Corp. said school guidance counselors can't solely help students find career paths. The AMBEA is a much-needed tool, he said.

"Shame on us for not doing this earlier," he added.