Governor, Lt. Governor Recognize Business-Education Partners for Connecting Students to Professional Skills and Real-World Experiences

State Governor Mike DeWine | State Governor Mike DeWine Official Website

By Buckeye Reporter

Mar 5, 2024

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin today announced Ohio's 2024 Business-Education Leader Awards for Excellent Business Advisory Councils. The Business Advisory Councils being honored demonstrate excellence developing professional skills for the future, building partnerships, and coordinating experiences, which contribute to preparing students for success.

“Ohio recognizes the vital role of Business Advisory Councils in fostering strong partnerships that benefit students across the state,” Governor DeWine said. “These councils serve as bridges between classroom learning and real-world experience, creating dynamic learning environments that prepare students for future careers.”

“I always say that those who collaborate best win and Business Advisory Councils are a prime example of that because they allow businesses to directly help schools better understand how to prepare students for career opportunities right in their local communities,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “This helps businesses create a local talent pipeline and helps more students prepare for careers without college debt.”

This application-based set of awards recognizes educators, business partners, staff, schools, businesses, educational service centers, joint vocational school districts, and communities that come together to create dynamic, career-focused learning environments for students. Award levels are detailed in the graphic below.

“Business Advisory Councils create engaging opportunities for students to gain practical skills, connect with mentors, and learn about in-demand career skillsets in their communities,” said Stephen D. Dackin, director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. “Partnerships between businesses and education are crucial for preparing students to be career ready upon graduation.”

Ohio is proud to be home to 85 Business Advisory Councils that engage with schools and collaborate about business and workforce needs, as well as educational programming that responds to those needs. To highlight the work of these councils, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, in partnership with the Ohio Business Roundtable, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business, Ohio Farm Bureau, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, Ohio Excels, Ohio Restaurant Association and Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, developed Ohio's Business-Education Leader Awards for Excellent Business Advisory Councils. To learn more about the work of Business Advisory Council, visit the Business Advisory Councils webpage.