WORKFORCE & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The purpose of everything we do through OC’s W&L programming is to provide resources, network expansion, and opportunities for belonging and work experience to students and adults in rural Great Plains communities through sense of place education, local career exploration, and specialized leadership training. Our vision is to see vibrant rural communities with thriving local businesses and engaged civic leaders developed through muligenerational connections and sense of place education.
To this end, we have four primary focus areas: career mentoring, certificates, entrepreneurship events, and community exploration events.
Commonwealth Academy – Our team partners with your school and local community to invite 10th, 11th, or 12th graders to explore local career opportunities through the lense of the 12 Key Assets of the Commonwealth. Students tour local businesses, services, and government facilities, meeting local graduates who chose to stay or return home.
Community Conversation – Adult and youth community members gather to conduct community needs assessment based on the 12 Key Assets and have guided discussion about the Adaptive Skills, Alliances, and Agency necessary for vibrancy in their community.
Community Exploration
Career Mentoring
Leadershop – OC offers 1 to 3 hour leadership workshops.
Internships – A work experience with a stipend, designed around intern interest and community needs. Interns attend an orientation, then complete blogs, presentations, and attend virtual professional development trainings. 100, 200, or 240 hour options.
Certificate Programs
WL Certificate – Participants begin with a multi-week online course covering many of the “soft skills” required for a successful career. Upon completing the course, participants may conduct a 50-hour paid internship to put those skills to work. The program concludes with a Harvesting Ceremony to celebrate a job well done.
E-Club – A deep-dive into entrepreneurship with a self-paced online curriculum and the option for regular check-ins for mentoring from OC and other experts. Participants build their own business plan and qualify for the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Certiport Exam. Contact OC for investment pricing.
Entrepreneurship Experiences
E-Camp – Introducing 5th-8th graders to entrepreneurial concepts in a high-energy day camp with special guests from the local entrepreneurship community. Students learn skills and end the camp with a basic one-page business plan well on its way to being competition-ready!
E-Fair – It’s a business pitch competition for 6-12th graders. Regional entrepreneurs and leaders and invest real cash into students business ideas.
Trep Shop – Half-day intensive with a member of the OC team who provides real time feedback and brainstorming for student entrepreneurs in preparation for E-Fairs.
Coming Soon
SubHub – Sub-Hub functions like a “temp agency” for rural communities – matching local flexible workers like retirees and students with small business owners to cover shifts when the owner needs to be absent
HOW DOES A COLLABORATOR CREATE AN INTERNSHIP OR APPRENTICESHIP?
Major Collaborators
