First Business Honored, October 2007
The Wayne County Schools Career Center is proud to announce the first winner of the Outstanding Business Partner Award – LuK USA LLC of Wooster. Steve Bushman, Manager of Human Resources, accepted the award on behalf of LuK.
LuK employs about 1000 people at its Wooster location. Approximately 49 WCSCC high school students/graduates (internships, hospitality students, early childhood education grads, etc.), and 25 adult students/graduates make up that workforce. Two of our graduates, Phil Hawkins and Dave Williams, are now in management positions.
Many LuK representatives have served on the Career Center’s advisory committees, and have been guest speakers at our school. LuK has hosted field trips and provided job shadowing for our students.
LuK has provided generously for our LuK Clutch Attendance program for the past 5 years, which promotes perfect attendance, and has offered tours, free lunches and prizes to our students with perfect attendance and their parents. They send representatives to speak to our students about attendance.
This is the second year that LuK has sponsored Operating a Business in their Globe international business project. They have donated drawing prizes for Open House, sponsored Enrichment Academy and technology camps, and have purchased computers for our nursing department.
Throughsummer programs such asVital Connections – Educators Exploring Manufacturing, and teacher externships, they have provided educational experience to Wayne County teachers, along with The University of Akron.
Many of our staff members speak often about our partnership with LuK. Here are some examples:
“We currently have two graduates who are working at their child care center. The director at this center always (not all directors do this) calls me when a student applies so that I may give my input on their abilities, strengths and areas for support. I really appreciate this as it helps to be sure that they are given a position in which they can be successful. Consequently, the success rate for our graduates in their employ has been high. The graduates who have been employed there have really enjoyed working for this company.” said Deb McDonald, Senior Instructor, Early Childhood Education & Care.
“Several employees in maintenance and Jeremy Stover in the apprentice program are Ag Mechanics Alumni,” said Wayne Bartter, Junior Instructor, Ag Mechanics/Power Technology.
“When the nursing department had no computers, and no money, my husband Mark, who still works at LUK, was able to acquire computers that LUK donated for the department - at least 6-7 years ago. I think they donated at least 10-15 computers.
Jackie Shrock, Adult Practical Nursing Instructor
“I have had numerous adult students complete office internships and three of those are employed at the company at the present time. One of them works in the Human Resources Department and the other two are administrative assistants,” said Anita Hawkins, Adult Education Customized Office Skills Training Coordinator.
“Over the years, Luk has given our Food Service/Hospitality students an opportunity to gain greater employability skills by letting them work in their kitchen/cafeteria. Matt Crago is the head chef there and does a great job working with our students. In addition to providing three excellent nutritional meals a day for their employees, Luk does a lot of catering for the company. Our students assist in many different ways, giving them the chance to put their skills to work, find out what will be expected of them, and experience the ‘real world’ before graduating. To quote one of our students, “It is a terrific training experience,” said Joyce Hocking, Job Coach.
“They have been such strong partners with us throughout the years, in education of our students and with Wayne County educators,” said Placement Coordinator Kathie Kister.
And finally, from Steve Bushman, “It has been a real benefit for LuK to have the Wayne County Schools Career Center’s support for the 30 years we have been in Wooster. The school administration has placed great emphasis on understanding what businesses need, and the staff has consistently demonstrated the desire and ability to prepare students for a career. Our relationship is what a true business and industry partnership should be; working together.
The Career Center’s dedication to high school and adult programs such as Precision Machining, Office Management and Engineering makes it a good fit with LuK; while their creativity and openness allow it to be a true partnership. On behalf of LuK USA LLC, I am truly honored to have received the first of these awards, and I look forward to creating our future together.”