The Clinton County Workforce Collaborative held its monthly meeting on Thursday, September 18, at the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center, gathering employers, educators, and community partners to discuss new initiatives aimed at building and sustaining a strong workforce for the county.

A key highlight of the meeting was the announcement of the Collaborative’s new internship program, launched in partnership with OhioMeansJobs Clinton County and designed to provide local youth and young adults with hands-on career experience while supporting the talent needs of area employers.

The internship program connects high school students with businesses across Clinton County, giving them the opportunity to explore career pathways, gain valuable skills, and receive mentorship from industry professionals. In addition to on-the-job training, interns will have access to career readiness workshops, job search support, developing soft skills, and resources through OhioMeansJobs.

“This initiative is about more than just internships—it’s about building bridges between our youth and the businesses that need their skills and talent,” said Conner Wyatt, Clinton County Workforce Development Director. “By investing in our young people today, we’re strengthening the workforce pipeline for the future of Clinton County.”

Attendees also heard firsthand from a local Wilmington High School student, Makenna Dorsch, who participated in a summer internship through the program. She shared how the experience helped her build confidence and gain practical skills: “The internship experience was amazing. I really recommend it to other fellow students and hope to work with them again in the future. They are here to help students in any way they can and always say that the ‘sky’s the limit’ with the program, and it really is,” she told the group.

The program is open to eligible Clinton County high school students through OhioMeansJobs’ Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program, as well as through partnerships with local schools and community organizations. Interns will receive opportunities while contributing to businesses that play a vital role in the county’s economic growth.

For more information about the internship program, contact Conner Wyatt (cwyatt@soesc.org or 513/316-2176) or Amanda Haggerty with OhioMeansJobs Clinton County (amanda@wsu-inc.org or 937/382-7762 x 1153).

The meeting also included planning updates for the upcoming Clinton County Career Exploration Fair, scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, at Laurel Oaks Career Campus. Wilmington-Clinton County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dessie Rogers shared important deadlines for businesses to register, emphasizing the fair’s role in exposing students to a broad range of industries and career options across the region.

Additional updates included ongoing promotion of the Collaborative’s new website, ccwcohio.org, which serves as a central hub for workforce resources, event announcements, and connections between employers, educators, and job seekers.