City, college announce partnership

Initiative aims to provide training for in-demand jobs

Elyria and Lorain County Community College announced March 4the Skill City Promise initiative.

Elyria and Lorain County Community College announced March 4 the Skill City Promise initiative.

Skill City Promise is a dynamic, first-of-its-kind partnership between Elyria and LCCC focused on reskilling and upskilling Elyria residents through short-term certificate programs in business, health care, information technology, computer science and/or development and manufacturing that include a direct path to an in-demand career, according to a news release.

“The city of Elyria, under the leadership of Mayor (Frank) Whitfield and City Council, is a front-runner in advancing the economic growth of its community by investing in people to prepare for in-demand jobs and meet employer talent needs,” said LCCC President Marcia Ballinger, Ph.D.

“Research demonstrates the direct correlation between a skilled workforce and economic growth and prosperity for a community.”

Participants must be an Elyria resident, have earned a high school diploma or

GED and enroll in a designated short-term certificate program in Spring 2021 or beyond, the release said.

“We are thrilled to partner with Lorain County Community College on this endeavor,” Whitfield said. “Not every community is fortunate enough to have the best community college for student success in the nation in its backyard.

“We know that when our residents go to LCCC, they’re getting a high-quality education at low cost, and want to ensure that any Elyrian seeking a new skill, credential or certificate doesn’t experience a barrier to their professional and academic development because of finances.”

In December 2020, Council voted unanimously to allocate $200,000 from the Issue 6 - Economic Development budget to kickstart the program.

“This initiative is a great avenue for Elyrians — young people and more established residents, to begin a new career during these trying times with the help of the City,” said Ward 4 Councilman Kenny Oswald.

“The community college is a great institution and asset to our city, and I’m confident this program will be a benefit to all.”

At the start of Whitfield’s term, the city adopted a goal of 2,025 Elyrians earning a certificate, credential and/or degree by the year 2025, a portion of a comprehensive strategy geared toward developing and upskilling the city’s talented workforce to fill in-demand, high-paying jobs of local employers.

“It’s a win-win-win,” Whitfield said. “Our residents get the skills they need to make a meaningful wage, our business community

“The city of Elyria, under the leadership of Mayor (Frank) Whitfield and City Council, is a front-runner in advancing the economic growth of its community by investing in people to prepare for indemand jobs and meet employer talent needs.” — LCCC President Marcia Ballinger, Ph.D.

gets the talent they need to be successful and the city wins by keeping resources and opportunities in Elyria.

“It’s about investing in our greatest asset, our people. That is how we are going to rebuild our city.”

The fund exclusively will provide last dollar awards to Elyria residents enrolled in designated short-term certificate/credential programs to fill any tuition gaps other funding sources are unable to cover, up to a maximum of $1,700, which is the average full cost of a 16-week program.

LCCC estimates the average award for the program is $500, with a goal of training 2,025 Elyria residents by the year 2025.

The total cost of the program is estimated at just over $1 million, and will be raised through grants and donations.

Ballinger