Education Foundation conducts forum

Pee Dee Regional Education Center Coordinator Cheryl H. Lewis organized an education forum for the public at the Marion County Technical Center.
MCTEC Director Paul Crandall is a member of the advisory board of that group and said the PDREC is helping with the implementation of a program to better prepare students for the transition from secondary education to either postsecondary education or successful placement in the workforce.
The Education and Economic Development Act established in 2005 regional education centers throughout the state, along with state models for student Individual Graduation Plans and a curriculum for career clusters of study.
Lewis said the PDREC visit was one of six town hall meetings set in each county to present information and gather more ideas.
“It will take all of us working together. That is the situation we’re in now,” Lewis said, adding that strategic plans and identifying urgent needs has been a focal point, regarding how to reach all stakeholders in education and business.
Some concerns Lewis pointed out for the Marion County area are lack of knowledge about the job market and limited number of businesses. She also discussed the idea and value of onsite job shadowing and virtual job shadowing, conducted through video. Lewis said one company has already agreed to develop a video presentation for students.
Regarding the teaching profession, she said having field study programs, more university programs, giving monetary incentives, and conducting more workshops are a few ideas of things to do that might help enhance teachers’ abilities to prepare students.
Lewis said her job is to get everyone to work together and buy into the program.
“The main goal here is to get kids to make better career choices earlier on,” she said, adding that her that responsibilities involve working with the business community and educators in regards to meeting the needs of students in the Pee Dee region.
“This initiative is new and we’re looking for business leaders for collaborations,” Lewis said. The one hold back she pointed is getting parents involved in the process.
Marion County Adult Education School Coordinator Candyce Brooks, Marion School District 2 board member Elizabeth Hammond, and Marion County Technical Education instructor Dan E. Farrow attended.
All said they agree that educators must have the tools to help understand the workforce and combat the negative stigmas that exist in regards to on-the-job experience and technical education.
Lewis said the development of soft skills is an urgent need, along with getting economic developers to come to the table and identify what is needed from the workforce in the current and future job climate.