The baseball caps may look like just traditional headgear. But they bear the name of numerous companies in Northeast Ohio. On Lorain County JVS’s annual Signing Day, the caps are presented to seniors who are already employed or who are committed to full-time roles in their careers, and connected to college or Armed Services.

It’s symbolic of the exemplary work reflected across the region from students and the support of their parents, the commitment of more than 100 industry partners and Lorain County JVS’s unwavering dedication to ensuring talent is prepared for today’s workforce.

This year’s Signing Day at Ross Expo Center in Wellington on May 7 acknowledged almost 200 students, according to Mathias Hauck, Lorain County JVS workforce development strategist and career services specialist.

Signing seniors from all of LCJVS’ 25 career tech programs attended the event, which Stormy Rush, robotics, engineering and innovation instructor, calls “different success stories all wrapped into one.” One half of the students in her program qualified to participate.

“The event allows kids to shine that night. It’s an opportunity to be honored for their skills or trade and their dedication to their employers,” says Rush. Signing Day companies that participated in her program included Rebuild: Build Cutting Dynamics, Lake Erie Electric, Andy Pac Inc., Absolute Machine Tools and the Cuyahoga County Department of Public Works.   

   

The inclusion of students entering the Armed Forces alongside workforce commitments — success is not defined by a single destination, but by the courage to pursue a purposeful path.”   

A variety of major career options are important to today’s students, according to Hauck. Currently there are more than 1,500 9-12 graders and adult learners enrolled in the school, located on a 150-acre campus in Oberlin. Thirteen school districts are represented. Recent data shows 71% of LCJVS graduates enter the workforce immediately after high school. Another 56.6% pursue college and apprentice opportunities while also working, and 4.5% choose military service. A total of 91% of LCJVS graduates are employed after graduation. That figure “is evidence that our students are leaving here with real skills, real confidence and real value to employers,” says Hauck.

Undecided freshman to confident graduate

When we last looked in on LCJVS and Elyria High School student Zoe Scheithauer, she was an undergrad just starting her educational pathway to her chosen career. Scheithauer admitted she “didn’t know a lot” about LCJVS, but enrolled with her father’s encouragement. She selected welding as her program, but soon found herself shifting to engineering.

“The teachers here are so involved with students but you aren’t pushed to go in one direction,” says Scheitauer. 

Scheitauer will attend Lorain County Community College this fall and will receive an associate of science degree after two years. Then she will transfer to Cleveland State University to earn a bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering technology.

This summer, Scheitauer will continue to work at Lake Erie Electric, her LCJVS partner employer during high school, and continue throughout college.