What is the TOOLS Program?
TOOLS - Today’s Opportunities Offer Lifetime Skills is a program designed to connect classrooms to contractors and career opportunities for students at businesses in their community.
The TOOLS Program is OVABC's signature outreach program dedicated to educating youth about skilled trade careers in construction, working with students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Its main focus is on creating pathways and providing support for students to begin their construction careers. TOOLS connects contractors to regional high schools and trade schools and offers various opportunities for students, including job shadows, co-ops, direct placement assistance, scholarships, and in-school interviews. The program's goal is to remove all obstacles to future success for students.
For the school, TOOLS offers resources so teachers/counselors can better understand the opportunities offered by the construction industry. Resources include curriculum, speakers from local business, and more. Every participating TOOLS school is guaranteed at least one scholarship/grant winner from their school.
For the contractor, TOOLS offers a streamlined entry into schools for potential new hires today and into the future.
For the student, TOOLS offers job shadows, co-op, and employment opportunities at graduation. Scholarship/grant opportunities which are open to use for tuition, tools, transportation assistance, etc.
The TOOLS Program awarded over $45K in scholarships and resources in the
22’-23’ school year alone.
Contact Nick Smiley for more information: Office-937-521-1577
Nick@OVABC.org