(Article via The Beacon) OAK HARBOR – On May 14, 37 students celebrated their year of incredible achievements and stepped into a new exciting season of life when they graduated from the Ottawa County Workforce Hub for Career Advancement. The graduation ceremony was held at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds.
The Workforce Hub is an initiative of the Ottawa County Business Advisory Council (BAC), and operates thanks to a partnership with Vanguard-Sentinel Career and Technology Center, Ottawa County Improvement Corporation (OCIC), the Ottawa County Commissioners, Ottawa County School Districts, and over 36 business and community partners.
Students graduated from the Workforce Hub’s Skilled Trades Academy under the direction of instructor Nick Hendrickson, the Healthcare Careers Academy under the direction of instructor Melinda Hernandez, and the Hospitality & Tourism Academy under the direction of instructor Erin Wicks.
The graduation was a celebration of the students’ hard work, but it was also a recognition of the instructors’ dedication and success. Thanks to them, 37 Ottawa County students helped narrow the road to their exciting futures.
This year, the students earned 288 industry-recognized credentials. Sixteen will immediately enter the workforce with 12 local employers, and 13 committed to post-secondary education.
“The school goes above and beyond to ensure the students are prepared,” said BAC President Clay Finken.
Mike Shadoan, owner of Radiant Windows in Oak Harbor, served as the graduation’s keynote speaker.
“Mike was instrumental in getting the skilled trades academy up and running,” said OCIC Director of Workforce Innovation, Katherine Adams.
As the students faced unknown futures that included new jobs and new schools, Shadoan encouraged them to embrace failure.
“Do not fear failure,” Shadoan said. “Failure is not the opposite of success. It is part of the process as you achieve success.”
Failure, he said, can lead to improvement.
“Don’t wish for life to be easier,” Shadoan said. “Wish for life to be better – for you to be stronger and smarter and better.”
Shadoan encouraged the graduates to strive for personal improvement and to reach for success.
“Then, once you’re established on your own, look around and ask, ‘Who else can I help? How can I help my community?’” he said.
