Decision Tree The Unusual Education of a Non-Traditional MBA

Everyone WinsWhen students seeking internships pair up with

non-profits needing support, everyone is a winner. A Growing Demand

Edinboro University bridges the gap for prospective employers

eriepa.comDec/Jan 2012-13

In This Issue

Board of DirectorsDonald Birx Ph.D.

John Bloomstine

Carl M. Carlotti

Terrence Cavanaugh

Rosanne Cheeseman

Gary L. Clark

John Dill

Mary L. Eckert

Scott Eighmy

Jeffrey Evans, CFP

James Fiorenzo

Barbara Haggerty

Thomas C. Hoffman II

Timothy Hunter

Thomas M. Kennedy

Charles G. Knight

John P. Leemhuis Jr.

Marsha Marsh

James E. Martin

Robert Mazza

Marlene D. Mosco

Jack A. Munch

Neil Parham

James W. Riley

James Rutkowski Jr.

Matthew Schultz

Nicholas Scott Jr.

Gretchen Seth

Ronald A. Steele

Keith Taylor Ph.D.

David Tullio

Russell S. Warner

Michael Weber

Scott A. Whalen Ph.D.

Mary Beth Wilcher

Julie Wollman

Scott Wyman

President/CEOBarbara C. Chaffee

Vice President, ChamberClaudia K. Thornburg

Vice President, Economic DevelopmentJacob A. Rouch

StaffJoelyn J. Bush, Director of Marketing &

Communications

Melanie A. Johnson, Director Growth

Partnership Division

Doug M. Massey, Manager Erie Business

Action Team

Nadeen Steffey, Account Executive

Cathy Noble, Events Coordinator

Benjamin C. Pratt, Director of Research

Linda Robbins, Financial Officer

Susan M. Ronto, Membership Coordinator

EditorJoelyn J. Bush

Contributing Writers Tim BodamerJohn ChaconaLori Nikolishen

Contributing PhotographersArt Becker Photography

www.artbeckerphoto.com

DesignBENSUR Creative Marketing Group

For Advertising Information:

Nadeen Steffey, Account Executive

(814) 454-7191 x139

nsteffey@eriepa.com

Contributed by Mike Chevalier, Preferred Systems Inc.

Are Your Employees Ready?

In a worldwide economy with rapidly changing conditions, in a time when industry knowledge is ever-evolving, when competition for business is not only fierce, it can be deadly for organizations that enter the business arena unprepared. It’s more important than ever to make certain your employees are ready.

Our workforce must have the tools, more specifically the knowledge, to make themselves and their business organization successful. Companies are encouraging their employees to stretch themselves mentally and hone their skills with continuing education to address this need. Many local employers have worked with local educational centers to address specific organizational and business needs.

These partnerships allow companies to customize training to reflect the organization’s needs. Edinboro University has started an Applied Technology program; the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership was instrumental in identifying a need for a specialized welding program which is now providing certified welders to meet these employment demands of Erie manufactures. At Preferred Systems, Inc., we work with employers to provide specific pre-licensing courses so that potential employees can obtain their professional license in real estate and insurance.

Why is continuing education taking a front seat these days? There are many reasons. First, the days when employees could specialize in one specific area are essentially gone, and businesses are seeking a workforce that is cross-trained and flexible — able to navigate a wide variety of tasks. Second, as baby boomers age and retire, a valuable, highly-educated workforce is dwindling and needs to be replenished. Experts say another contributing factor is that the shelf-life of knowledge is changing at faster rates; some industries require new education every one or two years, or more often. The workforce dynamics are changing; as immigrants, single parents, and the long term unemployed re-enter the job force in unprecedented numbers, additional training is needed for them—often to bolster English-speaking skills and the soft skills needed to obtain and retain employment.

Continuing education has become necessary to prepare our workforce. The pace of change is accelerating and the traditional methodology of classroom education – teacher, pupil form of education has to be refined and evaluated periodically to insure that we keep pace with our changing society. We have to look at how we provide education and convenient alternatives for those with traditional Monday through Friday schedules – workshops – conferences - weekends – nights, etc. Society is changing and the traditional educational delivery must change to accommodate employer and employee needs.

Almost every profession requires continuing education to keep a license or certificate up to date on current trends and information. Physicians, financial planners, nurses, teachers, insurance and real estate professionals, building contractors and hundreds more need to take mandated, ongoing continuing education to work in their given profession. Various professions require potential employee prospects to take “pre-licensing” courses before they can take their professional test to qualify to work in that given field. With the unpredictable economy – our ever changing technology and professional regulations clients and customers want to be assured that they are doing business with professional and educated business personnel.

As we move on, Preferred Systems, Inc. will continue to develop more initiatives and creative ways to offer continuing education programs that meet the ever changing society and educational needs. ■

“ Society is changing and the traditional educational delivery must change to accommodate employer and employee needs.”

what’s inside

We look forward to seeing you at these networking events for Chamber investors.

2 New Investors

6-9 Decision Tree The Unusual Education of a Non-Traditional MBA

12-15 Everyone Wins

When students seeking internships pair up with non-profits needing support, everyone is a winner.

18-20 A Growing Demand Edinboro University bridges the gap for prospective employers

1

06Decision TreeThe Unusual Education of a Non-Traditional MBAby John Chacona

December 135-7 p.m.

Peek’n Peak Resort & Spa

1405 Olde Road

Findley Lake, NY

January 105-7 p.m.

Niagara Village

2380 Village Common Drive

Erie, PA

Please RSVP to the Chamber at (814) 454-7191 x 146 or cnoble@eriepa.com

See Page 3for a complete list of 2013 Business After Hours Events.

ERIE Magazine | December/ January 2012 -2013

afterhours

Going back to school ...

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Welcome Proud Investors

A.W. Farrell & Son, Inc. Coast to coast roofing service with over 50 locations.

Mr. John Farrell1910 Schaper Avenue | Erie, PA 16502

(814) 459-9226 www.roofusa.com

APS Staffing Inc.Employment and staffing services.

Mr. Don Hathaway4402 Peach Street | Erie, PA 16509 (814) 866-5777

Donald R Hullenbaugh Agency Insurance agency.

Mr. Donald Hullenbaugh1061 West 26th Street | Erie, PA 16508 (814) 453-6235www.nationwides.com/donh

Erie Restoration Inc.Erie Restoration, Inc. is a full service disaster restoration company specializing in fire, water, wind, sewage and mold remediation. ERI also provides content manipulation and storage as well as trauma clean up services.

Ms. Michelle Hart2669A West 17th Street | Erie, PA 16505 (814) 835-4357www.erierestorationinc.com

JD Sports Academy LLC Provides a premier sports experience for athletes seeking “360 degree” development. Focused on Student | Athlete | Citizen addressing mind, body and character for a “360 degree” well rounded person. Offers speed and agility camps in the fall and winter and football camps in the spring and summer. Primary faculty consists of current and former NFL players and coaches. Proud to be hosted by Family First Sports Park!

Mr. John Davis8155 Oliver Road | Erie, PA 16509 (814) 866-5425www.jdsportsacademy.com

John F. Kennedy Center, Inc. Multipurpose service organization. Ms. Samella Hudson-Brewton2021 East 20th Street | Erie, PA 16510 | (814) 898-0400 www.partnership-erie.com/jfk

Lighthouse Insurance Agency Inc.Independent insurance agency offering business, auto, home and life insurance.

Mr. Ken Norfolk804 East 28th Street | Erie, PA 16504 (814) 453-4721 | www.alliedinsurance.com

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New InvestorsPROUD INVESTOR

Save the Date!

January 10, 20135:00 – 7:00 p.m.Niagara Village2380 Village Common Drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

February 21, 20135:00 – 7:00 p.m.Molly Brannigans506 State Street. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 21, 20135:00 – 7:00 p.m.Clarion Hotel & Bel-Aire Conference Center2800 West 8th Street. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 18, 20135:00 – 7:00 p.m.Hansen’s Errand Service1805 Pittsburgh Avenue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 16, 20135:00 – 7:00 p.m.Lake Shore Country Club5950 Lake Shore Drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 13, 20135:00 – 7:00 p.m.Shriners Hospital For Children1645 West 8th Street. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 18, 20135:00 – 7:00 p.m.PA CareerLink155 W. 8th Street. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August 15, 20135:00 – 7:00 p.m.WJET8455 Peach Street. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 19, 20135:00 – 7:00 p.m.Girl Scouts Western PA5681 Route 6N. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 24, 20135:00 – 7:00 p.m.Edinboro University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 14, 20135:00 – 7:00 p.m.Erie Day School1372 West 6th Street. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

December 12, 20135:00 – 7:00 p.m.Around The Chef’s Table2630 Cherry Street

* Dates and locations subject to change.

afterhours

2013 Networking EventsLone Shark SeafoodErie’s LONE fresh fish and seafood market. Call about special orders for your event! Party trays, Fresh Fish, Live Lobsters, Clams and Lake Fish.

Ms. Sherry Edkin3856 Peach Street | Erie, PA 16509 (814) 866-1573 | www.lonesharkseafood.com

Richard Arthur Group Providing customized training solutions for small and start up companies.

Mr. Richard J. Arthur110 Village Haven Circle | Clemmons, NC 27012(336) 918-6916

Transportation SolutionsProvides drivers training, evaluations vehicle modifications, fleet training, school bus programs, seat belt safety and all driving needs.

Ms. Brenda Bennett4202 Peach Street | Erie, PA 16509 (814) 833-2301 | www.drivingneeds.com

Westlake Woods Westlake Assisted Living provides residents the opportunity to enjoy an independent lifestyle in a beautifully appointed community while receiving assistance with personal care and medications. Through our caring atmosphere we uphold four important values for each of our resident: independence, privacy, dignity and choice.

Ms. Linda Vizzini3302 West Lake Road | Erie, PA 16505814) 835-0330 | www.lifeservicesassistedliving.com

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The decision to return to school as an adult is a momentous one and often consequential. It entails—indeed almost demands—a kind of ruthless self-examination, an audit of one’s intellectual and financial balance sheet.

Andrea Lorman is familiar with the process. As general manager of Arvite Technologies, she is responsible for the accounting function at the Erie metal fabrication company.

It’s a good job, a responsible job, but not the sort of position many of Lorman’s childhood friends on Erie’s lower east side aspired to. It’s not the sort of career Lorman aspired to, either, or even considered to be within her reach.

But Lorman’s reach was greater than she ever imagined it to be, and so was her discipline, energy and her ambition. At age 39, Lorman has a newly minted Masters of Business Administration degree, but she does not have a high school diploma.

“I feel like I’m someone different,” she admits with a touch of how-did-this-happen-to-me wonder in her voice. “I think I exceeded the expectations of who people thought I’d be. I know I exceeded what I expected from myself.”

As a schoolgirl at Burton and Wilson Schools, it’s fair to say that Lorman didn’t know any MBAs. Her family moved to Harborcreek for a while, but after her parents’ divorce, she dropped out of school at 16 and worked in restaurants and plastics shops, even a gas station for a while.

Lorman met her husband, Robert, when they both worked at Plastek, and at 19, she became pregnant. “We struggled through,” she says of her new family, “sometimes one or the

other working two jobs and odd shifts so we didn’t have to pay for daycare,” Lorman remembers. When her son Bobby went to school, she worked the night shift, but was home all day with time on her hands.

Lorman enrolled at Mercyhurst North East in the business administration program “because we figured that we could make it through two years and at least I’d have an associates degree.” She was 26 and had earned her GED at GECAC. The decision wasn’t an easy one for the mother of a young family to make. And it wasn’t made any easier by circumstance.

When I decided to go, I was working and I don’t know what happened, but I had a lung collapse,” Lorman remembers. “It was terrifying and it was at that point I asked if I’d done everything I could possibly do with my life. Two days before classes started, I remember being terrified.”

Paying for her tuition entirely with loans and grants, she was blindsided by the added expense for books, an expense she had no money to cover. “I saw a man named Greg, one of the many displaced workers from Hammermill, which had just closed. He said, ‘Chin up,’ and I realized that I still had a job while his company closed on him. I could see that I was making the right decision and there were hundreds of other adult students enrolling that year so I didn’t feel out of place.

eriepa.com DECISION TREE 7

| by John Chacona

Decision Tree

“I think I exceeded the expectations of who people thought I’d be. I know I exceeded what I expected from myself.”

The Unusual Education of a Non-Traditional MBA

3Left: Andrea Lorman, General Manager of Arvite Technologies.

Photo courtesy of Art Becker Photography.

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I didn’t want to be the old lady in class at [age] 26, but there were other people who had it worse. My husband told me to put the books on the credit card. It was probably the best investment I’ve ever made.” But it wasn’t the last one she made.

Lorman graduated in May 2004 and got Mercyhurst North East’s accounting award for leadership. The experience emboldened her to pursue her bachelor’s degree in accounting, which she received in December 2006 from Penn State Erie, The Behrend College.

Two weeks later, new degree in hand, she had a new job, as office manager at Arvite, a small sheet metal fabrication shop in Millcreek. Lorman liked the work, but she felt as though something was missing.

“I was only there for 18 months when I decided that I’d get my M.B.A. She went into the office of Arvite’s owner, Grover “Bud” Martin. “I said ‘I think I’m going back to school,’ and without even thinking about it, he said, ‘Do you want me to pay for it?’ I was dumbfounded. I was ready to take the steps to get more student loans because I was doing it regardless.”

Arvite was not a big company, and her announcement was unprecedented. “I handled the human resources function there, and I told him that we’d have to write up an education policy because we didn’t have one.”

Decision Tree (continued).

eriepa.com

9DECISION TREE

Nor did she have an idea of where her education might lead her, though her conviction in pursuing it was unshaken. “When I decided to do the MBA at Behrend, I was not sure what was going to happen after I graduated, either at Arvite or especially, if I’d have to leave to utilize it,” Lorman says. “But Bud was patient and understanding and he assured me that I’d have a place to grow at Arvite. I knew Bud was behind me 100 percent the second he said I wouldn’t have to pay for [the MBA]. I knew that if I had to leave at 3 o’clock for a 4 p.m. class, that wasn’t an issue. It was a team effort all the way around.”

And Martin wasn’t the only one on the team.

“I wouldn’t have made it through a single week if my husband and son weren’t behind me,” Lorman says. She was a full-time student and worked full-time at Arvite. Meanwhile her husband and son took care of just about everything else. “It made our family unit a stronger team.”

The advanced degree has made Arvite a stronger team too by virtue of the greater perspective a comprehensive business education affords. “It gives you a better understanding of operations management and marketing management, and I didn’t necessarily get that with accounting degree,” Lorman says. The MBA, she says, “takes the whole business under an umbrella and gives you an understanding of the whole operation.

It’s the one thing that nobody can ever take away from you.” ■

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In May 2012, Dan Gennaro was just one step away from a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications with a minor in Journalism. A student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Dan was required to complete an internship. Dan’s first challenge? Find one.

After lots of pavement-pounding and nine interviews, Dan landed a Marketing Assistant internship at the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, where he worked from May through September. While a position with a non-profit wasn’t originally at the top of his list, he couldn’t pass up the opportunity for an internship that would allow him to apply his communications skills. Unbeknownst to Dan at the time, the decision to join the Chamber team would teach him more than he anticipated.

A well-rounded learning experience

Dan’s education at the Chamber wasn’t just about learning the ins and outs of marketing. Though he certainly expanded his skill set, he learned some soft skills that will serve him well into the future. Respect is one of his key takeaways. While the importance of respect is obvious, Dan has a new outlook on its role in the workplace. Mutual respect was a key to success as a team, which is another lesson learned. “The team was so connected. Everyone depended on each other as a unit for their success,” Dan noted, “Responsibility was on everyone’s plate.” While Dan jokes about being “best friends with the paper cutter,” his experience at the Chamber went far beyond that kind of tedious – though necessary – work. He participated in everything from business development and city planning efforts, to the Erie Ambassadors program and Annual Fall Member Fest.

Nearly every experience provided a networking opportunity, especially one of his first duties at the Chamber, which he dubbed his Trial by Fire. “I was handed a list of business executives to call,” Dan remembers, “While it was very intimidating, it was also a great confidence booster.”

13EvERYONE WINS

| By Lori Nikolishen

Everyone Wins

eriepa.com

When students seeking internships pair up with non-profits needing support, everyone is a winner.

Dan Gennaro

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Now what? Dan knows that looking for an internship requires a lot of time and persistence, and encourages students to be prepared for the challenge. He also recommends being willing to not just sell yourself, but make your desires known. “I learned a great quote at the Chamber,” he noted, “If you don’t A-S-K, you don’t G-E-T.”

As Dan prepares to take the next step to building a life and career, the possibilities of working in business development or city planning are now on the table. Dan credits the Chamber with opening his eyes to these fields that he would not likely have considered otherwise. While he knows this is a big step, the Chamber internship helped him build the confidence he’ll need to succeed. “They really made me feel valued, a part of the team,” he recalls, “I just hope that they also learned a little something from me.”

Helping those who help others

Jeff Evans knows business. He also knows fundraising. As a Certified Financial Planner and President of Evans Capital Management, he has employed interns. As a fundraiser and board member, he has helped non-profit organizations succeed for nearly 30 years. And as founder of the Working Internships in Non-Profits (WIN) Foundation, Jeff pulls it all together.

Win-win partnership

Jeff founded the WIN Foundation – which is housed at the Erie Community Foundation – in 2005, with a goal of placing college students in internships with local non-profit organizations. Under the program, a local college student gets a paid internship, courtesy of the WIN Foundation, and the benefits of on-the-job training that go along with it. The local non-profit gets qualified, “free” labor to support the organization. It’s a win-win partnership.

As a businessman, Jeff understands the value of interns. Currently, there are two interns at Evans Capital Management. The interns win by learning about the business while earning an income. Jeff wins by being able to mentor the interns, some of whom he has taken on as full-time employees.

14

Everyone Wins (continued).

Jeff Evans, President of Evans Capital Management

“The interns win by learning about the business while earning an income.”

As a fundraiser and board member, Jeff works to help those who help others. He dedicates his time and knowledge to not only support and grow local non-profits, but also to get young people involved in volunteerism. His employees appreciate his efforts and the value his foundation brings to the community. Since starting the foundation, his Christmas gift from his employees is a donation to WIN, a gesture that Jeff genuinely appreciates.

Finding the perfect match

Non-profits rely on volunteer support and donations to keep the lights on. Often, there is a need for a certain skill set, but not the funds to hire additional staff. To help address this imbalance, the WIN Foundation will place an intern with a particular skill set with a non-profit with a specific need whenever possible. For example, the WIN Foundation might place a computer science student with a non-profit organization that needs to expand its computer networking capabilities. Applying for a WIN Foundation grant is a straightforward process. First, the non-profit submits a request outlining why they need a grant. Second, Jeff, assisted by Association of Fundraising Professionals peers, reviews the requests. It’s that easy. If selected, the non-profit provides status updates along the way, as well as a summary report-out of the experience and accomplishments when the internship comes to an end.

Currently, the WIN Foundation supports the Erie region. However, Jeff would like to see the foundation grow. His goal is to have the idea catch on and expand country-wide. “It would be wonderful if the WIN Foundation could spread from city to city,” Jeff noted. “I believe anything is possible,” he continued, “It’s just a matter of taking an idea from theory to results.” ■

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19A GROWING DEMANDeriepa.com

| by Tim Bodamer

A Growing Demand

Manufacturing is still the backbone of Erie’s economic engine. And, as the manufacturing base continues to thrive in the Erie region the need for qualified workers grows.

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, a gold level investor with the ERCGP, recently launched a program to meet first-hand, unaddressed workforce needs of our region.

Starting in January 2013, Edinboro will offer an Associate of Applied Science in Applied Technology degree. Developed by university faculty and administration over the course of nearly two years, the AAS program was designed specifically to give students the hands-on technical skills and broader background needed for occupations such as engineering technician, industry team leader, quality coordinator, new product development coordinator and sales specialist.

Bringing together regional trade schools and local businesses, the goal is to help elevate individuals with a certain skill set and translate those skills into workplace productivity.

“We’re aware of this need in our community,” says Dr. Denise Ohler, Assistant Dean of Edinboro’s College of Arts and Sciences and one of the developers of the program. “There are a lot of skilled people who have technical expertise but don’t have the additional skill set needed in the workplace.”

What makes the EUP program unique is the opportunity it gives trade school students to transfer up to 27 credit hours toward the two-year degree program, leaving just 33 credits at Edinboro to earn the Associate’s degree.

“Employers just don’t want an employee with an associate’s degree, but employees with business sense,” says Peter Kuvshinikov, an EUP associate professor who will teach courses in the program. “Company leaders want employees with project management skills. They will be working with HR directors and engineers and they need to speak the same language.” To this end the program will train students in a wide range of multidisciplinary business skills, including writing, sales, and project management.

The university is partnering with Erie Institute of Technology and Precision Manufacturing Institute to offer the program at Erie’s Porreco Center and in Meadville at Parkside Commons. The Porreco Center location is not only convenient for students from Erie, but it also comes with the added benefit of discounted tuition.

A wide range of industry-specific career paths will be integrated into the program, including heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technician, electrician, CNC machine and maintenance technician, industrial automation and robotics technology and welding technology.

Dr. Ohler and the EUP team assembled the AAS curriculum using the example of a similar program at Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

“What we hear from our employers is that manufacturing is still alive and well locally. We have students right here in Erie and Crawford Counties. This program that will help those

Edinboro University bridges the gap for prospective employers

Company leaders want employees with project management skills. They will be working with HR directors and engineers and they need to speak the same language.

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A Growing Demand (continued).

dislocated workers who’ve been laid off.” The assistant dean and her team are investigating similar programs in allied health, customer relations management, information technology and others.

Kuvshinikov understands the manufacturing needs of the Erie community. Tool making is in his blood. His father was a high school graduate who earned his way into the tool and die industry, and in addition to his work at Edinboro, Kuvshinikov owns a tool and die shop in Fairview. “I have a strong background in the tool and die industry. I have a passion for it.”

He hopes to translate his passion into success for students through the AAS program. “I’ve seen students from a trade school that enroll in college and only get a few classes transferred. They invest their finances into earning a trade and now they are hitting a wall.”

Kuvshinikov highlights that melding a trade and a university education is often a balancing act. “Right now, by the age of 26, many people have experienced five vocations. Anybody can broaden their skill set. This program helps make the worker more marketable. “

Harvard University economist Lawrence Katz notes in a recent New York Times article that despite a lack of demand for labor leading up to the latest recession, there is also a mounting skills problem. A skills problem that Katz said is a result of an education system having trouble keeping up with the demand for rising skills.

Dr. Ohler and her colleagues are working with business and community leaders to meet that demand in local workplaces through additional certificates and associate programs. “We are in communication with employers and stakeholders, including the Erie Community Foundation. We try to base our decisions on real data so we can respond,” she said. Kuvshinikov points to Erie’s Lord Corporation and Meadville’s Channellock as potential partners moving forward for AAS graduates.

Students who have completed technical training at an approved institution within the last five years or who plan to complete technical training at their first postsecondary educational experience can enroll. Students can also choose to complete the academic portion of their training first and pursue the technical component after.

“I think this program and others like it will continue to grow. It allows prospective workers to utilize the training and the (EUP) facilities without having to recreate things. People are interested in investing this skill set in Erie and Crawford Counties,” Kuvshinikov says.

“We hope this program fills a void while meeting employer needs. It’s a step toward increasing manufacturing and technology in the region,” Ohler says. “We’re working with a lot of our contacts through the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership to promote our program.” ■

To learn more about the program, call Dr. Ohler at 732-1399 or Dr. Richard Lloyd,

Chairperson of the Physics and Technology Department at 732-1699. edinboro.edu/admissions

3

The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership

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Pick 3. Spend 50. Save your local economy. Cinda Baxter, founder of The 3/50 Project, spoke to consumers and local business owners on October 25 about how to revitalize business and the local economy. The presentation was held at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel and was presented in partnership with the North East Chamber of Commerce. For more information visit: www.the350project.net

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