Mary Alice Reporting – Another program to equip youth to be ready for the workforce is available at Buckeye Career Center.

According to Principal Matt Fockler, the addition is the result of months of research and student surveys, which indicated that 38 percent of BCC students are not licensed to drive.

Public Relations Coordinator Shyanne Carroll explains the driver’s education course is in partnership with the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center and the first class was offered in the fall during the evening.

“We found that we had a lot of students who were interested in taking the course but the evening course just wasn’t a good fit for their schedule and our first class in-person is underway and we have 20 students enrolled right now.”

It’s a full course with book-work and in the spring, the driving portion with an instructor will be scheduled.

Carroll adds that the ability to drive is an important factor for employment and BCC is attempting to break the barrier by offering on-site training to interested students attending the New Philadelphia location.

“This is complementary to our students and a lot of times the cost is a barrier for most students. There are statistics that show that a lot of crashes happen by drivers who didn’t take driver’s education so we’re just really happy that we’re able to provide this to our students.”

The overall goal is to offer more driver’s education courses next year with seniors having priority enrollment.

Additionally, once a student turns 18, has a driver’s licenses, and is in a course needing a CDL, BCC offers those students a course in obtaining that license. Several adult education courses also offer CDL training.

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