FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2021
Summer Credential Training Program Launched for Adams County Students and Young Adults
– West Union, Ohio
The Growing Rural Independence Together (GRIT) Project (gritohio.org) launched a powerful
opportunity for youth and young adults located in Adams County to gain industry recognized credentials
during a 6-week summer program. Through a community collaboration involving the Ohio Valley School
District, Workforce Development Board Area 1, OhioMeansJobs Adams Brown Counties, Future Plans,
local businesses, community advocates and the GRIT Project an important career and workforce training
gap is being addressed.
On Monday, June 14th, twenty-eight (28) students started work skills training at the Ohio Valley Career
Technical Center in 1 of 3 training pathways. These pathways were selected based on the interests,
aptitudes and in-demand jobs identified through the Future Plans assessment and the GRIT coaching
process. During the 6-week program, students will learn one of the following:
• Technology Track – CompTIA A+ Certification
• Healthcare Track – STNA Certification
• Customer Service & Human Services – Certified Customer Service Professional
Local and national employers and training providers are partnering to provide the student with “real
world” work expectations, experience, skills and credentials. One employer, Pearl Interactive Network,
will be interviewing all customer service track students for employment consideration upon credential
completion. The GRIT Project along with OhioMeansJobs Adams Brown County will be providing the
students with career counseling/coaching via the futureplans.com toolset, resources to continue
training and credential attainment, and employment opportunities to develop the student’s long-term,
in-demand career path.
The GRIT Project supports young adults age 14-24 and adults who are unemployed or underemployed in
obtaining education, skill training and work experience needed to secure living-wage employment
within the local community. The GRIT Project is funded through the local Workforce Development
Board’s Growing Rural Independence Together (GRIT) grant, which is focused on addressing the barriers
of sustainable employment in Adams, Brown, Pike and Scioto Counties. The GRIT grant is awarded by
the Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA). The ODSA supports communities in growing their
economies, with special attention to the needs of Ohio’s Appalachian Region.
For more information on the GRIT Project please visit www.gritohio.org