Photos by Akron Public Schools
Connecting Students to Careers
That Align with Workforce Needs
Employers play a critical role in helping students explore careers, build skills and understand the opportunities available in Northeast Ohio. Through the Greater Akron Chamber Academy of Innovation and Industry at Garfield CLC, businesses can engage with students while helping shape the talent pipeline for tomorrow's workforce.
Lend Your Leadership and Expertise
Strong talent pipelines are built when employers engage early and help students understand the opportunities available in their community. Through this partnership, businesses can share industry expertise, help shape career pathways, and provide experiences that prepare students for success after graduation.
Whether you can volunteer a few hours or provide a deeper level of engagement, there are opportunities for organizations of all sizes to get involved.
CAREER
AWARENESS
CAREER
EXPLORATION
CAREER
PREPARATION
CAREER
TRAINING
LOW INTENSITY
HIGH INTENSITY
Employer Advisory Board member
Speaker/Facilitator for select Academy Events and Classrooms
Career Expo/Job Fair
School celebrations and special events
Product, equipment, and supply donations
10th Grade Industry Field Experience
11th Grade Industry Sector Showcase
Career & Technical Student Organization support
Host a mutually designed Teacher Workplace Learning opportunity
Co-design a pathway lesson
Design and support an Inquiry-Based Learning Unit
Employability & Life Skills Training
Professional Development for faculty and/or scholars
11th Grade Job Shadowing
Student Experiential Learning
Job Training/Experiential Learning Site
12th Grade Work-Based Learning
Internships
Lend Your Leadership and Expertise
Strong talent pipelines are built when employers engage early and help students understand the opportunities available in their community. Through this partnership, businesses can share industry expertise, help shape career pathways, and provide experiences that prepare students for success after graduation.
Whether you can volunteer a few hours or provide a deeper level of engagement, there are opportunities for organizations of all sizes to get involved.
LOW INTENSITY
HIGH INTENSITY
CAREER
AWARENESS
Employer Advisory Board member
Speaker/Facilitator for select Academy Events and Classrooms
Career Expo/Job Fair
School celebrations and special events
Product, equipment, and supply donations
CAREER
EXPLORATION
10th Grade Industry Field Experience
11th Grade Industry Sector Showcase
Career & Technical Student Organization support
Host a mutually designed Teacher Workplace Learning opportunity
CAREER
PREPARATION
Co-design a pathway lesson
Design and support an Inquiry-Based Learning Unit
Employability & Life Skills Training
Professional Development for faculty and/or scholars
11th Grade Job Shadowing
CAREER
TRAINING
Student Experiential Learning
Job Training/Experiential Learning Site
12th Grade Work-Based Learning
Internships
Lend Your Leadership and Expertise
Strong talent pipelines are built when employers engage early and help students understand the opportunities available in their community. Through this partnership, businesses can share industry expertise, help shape career pathways, and provide experiences that prepare students for success after graduation.
Whether you can volunteer a few hours or provide a deeper level of engagement, there are opportunities for organizations of all sizes to get involved.
LOW INTENSITY
HIGH INTENSITY
CAREER
AWARENESS
Employer Advisory Board member
Speaker/Facilitator for select Academy Events and Classrooms
Career Expo/Job Fair
School celebrations and special events
Product, equipment, and supply donations
CAREER
EXPLORATION
10th Grade Industry Field Experience
11th Grade Industry Sector Showcase
Career & Technical Student Organization support
Host a mutually designed Teacher Workplace Learning opportunity
CAREER
PREPARATION
Co-design a pathway lesson
Design and support an Inquiry-Based Learning Unit
Employability & Life Skills Training
Professional Development for faculty and/or scholars
11th Grade Job Shadowing
CAREER
TRAINING
Student Experiential Learning
Job Training/Experiential Learning Site
12th Grade Work-Based Learning
Internships
Get Started
Complete the Employer Interest Form below to illustrate your pathway interest, commitment level, and contact information.
Pathways
Advanced Manufacturing
Students will learn machining using manual lathes, milling machines and surface grinders, set-up, operation, and programming of CNC turning and milling centers.
Construction Technology
Students will learn how to interpret blueprints and specifications, and how to safely operate a wide range of hand, power and air tools to construct products and structures.
Culinary Arts
Students will experience hands-on instruction in a state-of-the-art kitchen, including cooking, food production, catering and banquet operations, baking and pastry skills.
Patient Care
Students will study anatomy and physiology, patient care, medical equipment usage, medical terminology and pharmacology.
About Our Partnership
A longtime partner Akron Public Schools, the Greater Akron Chamber and ConxusNEO, Summit County’s key workforce intermediary, have been involved since the earliest planning stages of the College and Career Academies model by helping design the framework, align career pathways to the workforce needs of our employers, and connect business leaders to talent.
The GAC’s relationship with Akron Public Schools was formed with the help of the United Way of Summit & Medina. United Way serves as a link between the College and Career Academies of Akron and local businesses to provide hands-on learning opportunities for students and to strengthen the education to employment pipeline in Summit County.
In February 2026, the Greater Akron Chamber was named partner of the Academy of Innovation and Industry at Garfield Community Learning Center.
