ACEnet Inc.ACEnet Inc.

An awakening of technology An awakening of technology needs in Southeastern Ohioneeds in Southeastern Ohio

Project ObjectivesProject Objectives

• Upgrade of existing technology skills Upgrade of existing technology skills within the existing workforcewithin the existing workforce

• Increase sales and job creation in 40 of Increase sales and job creation in 40 of our food products businessesour food products businesses

• Creation of 4 Community Technology Creation of 4 Community Technology Centers within the regionCenters within the region

• Create a model for a community-Create a model for a community-supported workforce development supported workforce development systemsystem

Project Objectives (cont.)Project Objectives (cont.)

• Area high school students will Area high school students will participate in the workforce participate in the workforce development initiative, resulting in development initiative, resulting in employment within the technology employment within the technology industryindustry

• ““Test Target” 100 existing workers and Test Target” 100 existing workers and business owners to participate in our business owners to participate in our workforce development initiative geared workforce development initiative geared to specific sills trainingto specific sills training

RESULTS!!!RESULTS!!!

They surprised us!They surprised us!

Objective 1Objective 1

• Over 500 workers were assisted Over 500 workers were assisted using our Community Technology using our Community Technology Centers, Each-One-Teach-One Centers, Each-One-Teach-One program and specific classes. This program and specific classes. This was within our Technology and was within our Technology and Food Products Initiative combined.Food Products Initiative combined.

Objective 2Objective 2

• 40 of our food products related 40 of our food products related businesses, did increase sales. Some businesses, did increase sales. Some very substantially. very substantially.

• Websites were created for many of the Websites were created for many of the businesses, which introduced them to e-businesses, which introduced them to e-commerce at its best (and worst) commerce at its best (and worst) *example www.integrationacres.com*example www.integrationacres.com

Objective 3Objective 3

• Four Community Technology Four Community Technology Centers were officially opened to Centers were officially opened to the public using both students and the public using both students and VISTA volunteers, effectively VISTA volunteers, effectively serving approximately 100 serving approximately 100 community memberscommunity members

Objective 4Objective 4

• A model was set in place!!!!A model was set in place!!!!– Sector specificSector specific– Target low income job seekersTarget low income job seekers– Employer drivenEmployer driven

Objective 5Objective 5

• Thus the birth of what is now Thus the birth of what is now known as “SET”, Student known as “SET”, Student Entrepreneurship Training Entrepreneurship Training

Objective 6Objective 6

•Over 300 participants Over 300 participants and the beginning of and the beginning of

“OUR” “OUR” education!!!!!!!!!!!!!education!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lesson 1Lesson 1

• In our region there was little or no co-In our region there was little or no co-operative efforts from “same objective” operative efforts from “same objective” entities dealing with melding technology entities dealing with melding technology and workforce development .and workforce development .

• Each entity, Chamber of Commerce,Ohio Each entity, Chamber of Commerce,Ohio University,Athens Co. Jobs and Family University,Athens Co. Jobs and Family Services, WIA, were doing their own Services, WIA, were doing their own projects and not talking together about projects and not talking together about regions needs.regions needs.

Result / ChangeResult / Change

• A concentrated effort to work together and A concentrated effort to work together and not duplicate so as to maximize not duplicate so as to maximize effectiveness. effectiveness.

• A service matrix and mapping of each A service matrix and mapping of each entities services and abilities made entities services and abilities made available to not only the partners but to available to not only the partners but to businesses within the region so they can businesses within the region so they can utilize trainings and workforce utilize trainings and workforce development to the maximum.development to the maximum.

• A concentrated effort to listen to A concentrated effort to listen to businesses.businesses.

Lesson 2Lesson 2

• Specific training is good and Specific training is good and needed, in some cases, but not needed, in some cases, but not

the real answer.the real answer.

ResultResult

• A new workforce development A new workforce development initiative is beginning presenting initiative is beginning presenting “soft skills” integrated into a “soft skills” integrated into a comprehensive presentation of comprehensive presentation of “categoric technology skills”“categoric technology skills”

Lesson 3Lesson 3

• Melding workforce development Melding workforce development and technology needs to begin as and technology needs to begin as early as possible.early as possible.

ResultResult

• An enhancement of the original An enhancement of the original Computer Opportunities Program to, Computer Opportunities Program to, SET, Student Entrepreneur Training. SET, Student Entrepreneur Training. Using project based learning instead of Using project based learning instead of modular based.modular based.

• Now in 14 schools, 230+ students.Now in 14 schools, 230+ students.• Students learn early about workforce Students learn early about workforce

development from both sides – development from both sides – employee and employer.employee and employer.

Lesson 4 Lesson 4

• Grassroots education is needed for Grassroots education is needed for both the area workforce and the both the area workforce and the employers of the area. employers of the area.

ResultResult

• In both the food products manufacturers In both the food products manufacturers and the average tech sector “start-up” and the average tech sector “start-up” we needed to assist them in the we needed to assist them in the integration of technology as a major tool integration of technology as a major tool for success. This is being done through for success. This is being done through the continuation of one-on-one technical the continuation of one-on-one technical assistance and classes in needed assistance and classes in needed software applications.software applications.

Lesson 5Lesson 5

• Postpone recruitment external of Postpone recruitment external of the region and concentrate on the region and concentrate on developing the businesses of the developing the businesses of the region. region.

ConclusionConclusion

This project resulted in a revolution of both thought and actions of many of the workforce development entities of the southeastern Ohio area, as well as ACEnet. The more efficient and concentrated efforts are still in their infancy stages, but have already resulted in bringing workforce development and technology integration closer than ever before.

Thank youThank you

Please visit us at:Please visit us at:

www.acenetworks.orgwww.acenetworks.org