C4 recognized by Governor’s Workforce Cabinet

Gene Hack, director of C4, Rhonda Fischer, EcO Network, and Autumne Streeval, C4 business liaison, accept an award from the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet. Photo by RT Spencer RT Spencer

Staff Reports

C4 Columbus Area Career Connection was recently recognized by the Indiana Governor’s Workforce Cabinet with an award of excellence in business and community partnerships.

The Indiana Awards for Excellence program highlights the outstanding achievements of career and technical education students, partners, programs, and career advisement programs around the state.

Recipients of these awards are exceptional individuals who have contributed to the success of CTE through the quality of their work and their involvement in the CTE community.

C4 was honored for their work with business partners to coordinate ninth-grade industry tours for all students enrolled in Preparing for College and Careers Class in Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp.

Approximately 900 students every year have the opportunity to tour local business sites and learn more about careers in engineering, manufacturing, business, human resources, computer networking and cybersecurity, building trades, automation and robotics, law enforcement, and health sciences.

Prior to the tours, industry partners visit every PCC classroom and help guide students through a simulation about the importance of career planning and the opportunities available after graduation. The goal of the industry tour is to provide students an opportunity to explore a variety of careers and learn about skills and opportunities that they may have not known even existed.

This collaborative effort was recognized as having a powerful impact on a student’s educational choices, which in turn can lead to employment opportunities for the student and the company in the future.

Companies involved in the industry tours include Batesville Tool and Die, Columbus Police Department, Columbus Regional Health, Cummins, Faurecia, LHP Engineering Solutions, Lindal Group North America, NTN Driveshaft, Taylor Bros Construction, and Toyota Material Handling.

Columbus Education Coalition hosts the industry network meetings that further allow planning and collaboration of industry tours and related events.

C4 industry tours are coordinated by Autumne Streeval.

For more information or to learn more about becoming a business partner with C4, reach out to Autumne Streeval at [email protected] or 812-376-420.