PTC Hosts Workshop for Educational Professionals

The Piedmont Education & Business Alliance recently hosted its ninth annual Guidance Standards and Career Development Workshop at Piedmont Technical College. The event drew more than 100 school counselors and career development professionals from 10 school districts in Abbeville, Clinton, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry, Ninety Six, Saluda and Ware Shoals.

The event was begun to allow schools, colleges and communities to collaborate on improving the implementation of the S.C. Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA) of 2005.

The sessions provided a variety of topics on career and technology education, virtual job shadowing opportunities and how to implement school-wide guidance programs. The college application process and new PTC grants for enriching learning experiences highlighted articulation efforts. Hot topics included stress management and creative ways to prevent bullying among students. The sessions divided into four categories based on the grade level needs of the participants – elementary school, middle school, high school and all grade levels.

Dr. Ray Brooks, PTC president, and Robert Koch, logistics manager for Ascend Performance Materials, welcomed the group and expressed appreciation for participants’ outstanding work with students. Beginning the day’s activities was Greenwood native Dr. Patti Still McCue, senior vice president for patient care services and chief nursing officer for Centra Health in Lynchburg, Va. She spoke on our culture’s high expectations and the challenge of creating a healthy balance in life and work.

Linda Sheffield, director/regional career specialist for the alliance, helped plan the event, along with PTC and a team of career guidance counselors from each of the school districts in the seven-county area.

“Providing quality training for guidance counselors and career and technology instructors fosters sharing of successful practices and ensures that the counties we serve have a better-prepared work force,” said Sheffield.

Photo Caption: More than 100 school counselors and career development professionals from 10 school districts recently participated in the ninth annual Guidance Standards and Career Development Workshop at Piedmont Technical College. The event was begun to allow schools, colleges and communities to collaborate on improving the implementation of the S.C. Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA) of 2005.