Getting to Know Businesses in our BECAN Counties
BB2C’s model is built on bringing together businesses, schools, and community leaders to develop Community and Career Connected Learning opportunities for students. We work to bridge the gap between education and employment by inspiring career choice. The BB2C Epicenter does this in Washington County and Williamstown Schools. BB2C BECAN, a new venture that is funded in part by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, does this in counties in Southeastern Ohio and beyond.
Jordan Spence, our Regional Network Coordinator through BB2C BECAN, works in Noble, Monroe, Guernsey, Belmont, Jefferson, Harrison, and Morgan counties. Since coming on staff this past spring, Jordan has been building relationships and developing networks with businesses in his counties. He has also been exploring the current opportunities that exist for students to prepare for their careers post-graduation. He recently provided an update about his work:
“My first goal in my role was to build as many relationships and tell as many people in the area about what BB2C does and how we could support the community in our region who is doing the same type of work. I started off a few months ago calling businesses in each of my counties to gather information. My questions were around the businesses’ past experiences with, and future interest in, providing job shadowing and internship opportunities for students. In some cases, these conversations led to job shadowing and actual job placements for students.
The relationships I have built and continue to build with businesses in my counties not only allows me to further expand BB2C’s work of Community and Career Connected Learning, it also allows businesses to reach out to me when they are looking for students who may be interested in job shadowing opportunities and jobs. We are so excited about this expansion work and the great results that we have already seen.."
Email us to find out more about BB2C BECAN and the support it can provide to the students, schools, and businesses in your community.