Ottawa County celebrates new workforce hub

On Aug. 18, the Ottawa County Business Advisory Council (BAC), in partnership with the Ottawa County Improvement Corporation (OCIC), Vanguard Sentinel Career & Technology Center (VSCTC), and the Ottawa County Commissioners, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Ottawa County Workforce Hub for Career Advancement.

More than 40 community partners and officials attended the event. Before the ribbon cutting, BAC members and partners gathered for breakfast and tour of the facility.

Katherine Adams, OCIC Director of Workforce Innovation, welcomed guests, recognizing the community-wide effort that brought the project to life.

“This was a huge project and we wouldn't have been able to make this happen if it wasn't for the support from all of you. It has been a community effort.”

Clay Finken, president of the BAC reflected on the journey. “This has been years in the making. What began with the Skilled Trades Academy in the garage of the Ottawa County Resource Center has now become the Workforce Hub with three workforce academies. The efforts and initiatives of the BAC needed a home, and here we are. We want to keep our students here in our community, and today shows we are on the right track.”

The building, owned by the Ottawa County Commissioners, had already housed the Healthcare Careers Academy since 2021. Commissioner Mark Coppeler noted how the idea evolved. “Someone told us, ‘Hey, the healthcare program is already operating out of the building, let’s move the Skilled Trades Academy over there.’ We wouldn’t have what you’re seeing today if it wasn’t for that someone – and that person is Katherine Adams.”

BAC Vice President Pat Adkins thanked VSCTC Superintendent Greg Edinger for their continued partnership, while Edinger emphasized the importance of collaboration. “I’m standing here today because of those strong partnerships. The conversations around expanding these opportunities are what brought us here today.”

Chris Singerling, executive director of the OCIC, acknowledged the collaboration that has shaped the BAC’s success. “We are here today because of so many people before us who laid the foundation and deserve recognition. Collaboration has been key every step of the way.” He recognized original BAC members, including Pat Adkins, Guy Parmigian, Stephanie Kowal, Chris Galvin, Joy Roth, former BAC President Ken Williams, as well as Jamie Beier Grant and Gaye Winterfield.

Fllowing the ribbon cutting, attendees toured the Hub’s modernized spaces including:

• Skilled Trades Lab – Once the former school gymnasium, the space has been transformed into a state-of-the-art hands-on training lab outfitted with equipment, tools and machinery, much of it donated by LogistiQ.

Today, the lab provides students with the opportunity to gain practical experience in manufacturing, maintenance and other in-demand trades, preparing them for successful careers in the skilled workforce.

Located adjacent to the lab and separated by a garage door for flexible use, the Skilled Trades classroom is designed for instruction, certification preparation and testing.

Here, students will pursue certifications such as the MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT) and other industry-recognized credentials. This year marks the seventh year of the Skilled Trades Academy, a program that continues to grow and expand opportunities for Ottawa County students.

• Hospitality & Tourism Academy (HTA) – The Hospitality & Tourism Academy features a hotel reception and breakfast area, a mock hotel room and a dedicated classroom that together create a realistic training environment for students.

A highlight of the program is the Hub Store, where students will gain hands-on experience in retail and customer service by operating a point-of-sale (POS) system and selling Workforce Hub merchandise, with all proceeds directly supporting the Hub.

This academy is the first of its kind in Ohio for high school students that focuses on marketing, event management, retail and front-facing customer service. Four students are already enrolled in the inaugural year beginning this fall, marking a step forward in preparing young people for careers in the state’s growing hospitality and tourism industry.

• Healthcare Careers Academy – Now in its fourth year of operation, the Healthcare Careers Academy provides students with a classroom, a dedicated phlebotomy lab, and five training beds designed to prepare them for the State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA) exam and other healthcare certifications. The program offers hands-on training in essential skills that are critical to addressing healthcare workforce shortages both locally and across the region, equipping students with the knowledge and experience needed to step directly into high-demand healthcare roles.
• Additional Spaces – The Workforce Hub also includes several updated support spaces designed to enhance both student learning and community use. A large conference room is equipped to host meetings and collaborative gatherings.

The Tech Lab provides a dedicated space for student testing, computer-based certifications and digital learning. The Student Lounge offers a welcoming environment with refrigerators, microwaves and ample seating, all styled in Workforce Hub colors.

Located at the front entrance, the OCIC offices and a staff conference room that provide space for one-on-one meetings and support, reinforcing the Hub’s role as a central resource for workforce and economic development.

The Workforce Hub represents a reimagining of a former school building into a center for advanced workforce education.

“We look forward to a very exciting year for all three programs. We turned an old school building into a modernized version of its original purpose. It’s an amazing win for our community,” Adams said.

About the Workforce Hub

The Ottawa County Workforce Hub for Career Advancement is a workforce initiative that stems from the Ottawa County Business Advisory Council. The Hub equips students with direct pathways to secure, high-paying careers, enhancing the local workforce and boosting the regional economy. The Ottawa County Business Advisory Council is administered by the Ottawa County Improvement Corporation. For more information, visit www.ocic.org/hub.