Students and adults seeking opportunities for work in construction, health services, manufacturing or a variety of other skilled trades are now able to find those opportunities anytime on a website created by the Johnson County Library.
The website, which went live last week, features videos about Ivy Tech Community College and Central Nine Career Center, along with testimonials from those who found employment through Next Level jobs, Johnson County Community Foundation Scholarship opportunities and video discussions with Indiana employers about careers in the fields.
The webpage was a joint effort of the Johnson County Public Library and the Aspire Johnson County Talent Retention Team. While there is typically an annual forum hosted by Central Nine Career Center where professionals come meet and speak with students and adults interested in skilled trades, the COVID-19 pandemic sidelined that this year. The webpage will help fill the gap, and will likely continue as a resource even after in-person forums return, said Lisa Lintner, the library’s executive director.
“This is just to give people, as they’re thinking about what to do with their next steps, if they’re a middle school students or freshman in high school, an idea about resources at the Central Nine Career Center, and (they can) choose some classes that could point them to a career in health care, advanced manufacturing or skilled trades,” Lintner said.
The resources will help not just middle and high school students, but adults who are looking at their career options, said Bill Kovach, executive director of the Central Nine Career Center.
“The efforts the library is putting forth in career guidance is providing potential career opportunities for both young adults and children,” Kovach said. “Providing that enhances opportunities at Central Nine for awareness and for students and potential students to know what they may want to pursue at Central Nine in both the high school programs and the adult education program.”
In addition to the videos and information about Central Nine, Ivy Tech and Next Level jobs, the webpage also has links to internship programs and apprenticeships in warehouses, the medical field, advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, HVAC, plumbing and ironwork, among other fields.
“It’s a multi-year process, but the wages are really good when you finish your program and have no debt,” Lintner said. “We will return to the in-person event that brings awareness to skilled trades and advanced manufacturing, but we will keep up this page.”
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The Johnson County Public Library career opportunity webpage can be found here: https://www.pageafterpage.org/discover-your-career-path
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