CC Port Authority celebrated Manufacturing Month in October – morningjournalnews.com

Report on Columbiana County Manufacturing Initiatives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Advancing Quality Education and Vocational Training (SDG 4)

In a targeted effort to advance Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), the Columbiana County Port Authority (CCPA) facilitated a series of educational initiatives for students from the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center (CCCTC). These actions were designed to provide inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for vocational students.

• Twenty senior students from the machining and welding programs participated in educational tours at leading local manufacturing facilities.
• The tours provided students with direct exposure to modern industrial environments, enhancing their technical and vocational skills training.
• A significant contribution to vocational education was made by SteelCon, which presented a $15,000 donation to the CCCTC. These funds are designated to directly support the school’s machining and welding programs, ensuring access to quality technical education resources.

Promoting Decent Work and Sustainable Economic Growth (SDG 8)

The program directly supports the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by fostering a robust local workforce and creating pathways to full and productive employment.

• Company leaders provided students with crucial guidance on valuable industry skills and the interview process, preparing them for decent work.
• The initiative demonstrated immediate success in promoting youth employment when a participating CCCTC student was hired by SteelCon shortly after a tour, directly linking educational training to job creation.
• By strengthening the county’s workforce pipeline, the CCPA and its partners are contributing to the long-term, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth of the region’s manufacturing sector.

Fostering Industry, Innovation, and Partnerships (SDG 9 & SDG 17)

This initiative exemplifies a multi-stakeholder partnership (SDG 17) between public entities, educational institutions, and the private sector to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation (SDG 9).

• The collaboration involved the CCPA, the CCCTC, and several key county manufacturers, including Buckeye Trailer, Compco, and SteelCon.
• The program showcased modern manufacturing careers, promoting the local industrial base as a vital component of the county’s economy.
• In recognition of their contributions to regional economic vitality and sustainable industrial practices, the CCPA formally honored several standout companies. Each company received a commemorative plaque and was featured in a social media spotlight.

Recognized Manufacturing Partners

1. Haltec of Leetonia
2. Compco of Columbiana
3. SteelCon of Rogers
4. A Plus Powder Coaters of Columbiana
5. Buckeye Trailers of Leetonia

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The article focuses on vocational and technical education for senior students in welding and machining programs at the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center (CCCTC). It highlights efforts to provide students with relevant skills and firsthand exposure to career opportunities, directly aligning with the goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The initiative described aims to strengthen the local “workforce pipeline” by connecting students with employers. This promotes productive employment for youth. The article also emphasizes the importance of the manufacturing sector to the “region’s economic vitality,” linking education and training directly to local economic growth.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• The article is centered on the manufacturing industry. By showcasing “modern manufacturing careers” and supporting the sector through workforce development, the initiative promotes local industrialization. The celebration of local manufacturers recognizes their role in the economy, which is a key aspect of this goal.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The entire program is a result of a multi-stakeholder partnership. The Columbiana County Port Authority (a public entity), the CCCTC (an educational institution), and private manufacturing companies (Compco, SteelCon, etc.) collaborated to achieve a common objective. This exemplifies the effective public-private partnerships needed to achieve sustainable development.

Specific Targets Identified

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
  
  Explanation: The program provides 20 welding and machining seniors with educational tours of manufacturing facilities. During these tours, “Company leaders shared insights on the skills they value in future employees,” directly contributing to the students’ acquisition of relevant skills and knowledge for employment in the local manufacturing sector.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.
  
  Explanation: The initiative is designed to bridge the gap between education and employment for young people. The article provides a concrete example of its success by stating that “one of the participating CCCTC students was hired by SteelCon shortly after the tour,” which directly reduces the number of youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET).

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product.
  
  Explanation: The Port Authority’s efforts to “support and celebrate the companies, educators and students who make this sector so strong” are aimed at bolstering the local manufacturing industry. By creating a “workforce pipeline,” the program helps ensure the industry has the skilled labor it needs to thrive and continue providing employment, thus supporting its role in the local economy.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.
  
  Explanation: The article describes a partnership between the Columbiana County Port Authority (public), the CCCTC (education/public), and several private companies including Compco, SteelCon, and Buckeye Trailer. This collaboration to organize tours, provide donations, and create employment opportunities is a clear example of an effective public-private partnership for sustainable development.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Number of students in technical and vocational programs: The article mentions “20 welding and machining seniors from the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center” participating in the tours.
• Financial aid provided to vocational training institutions: The article explicitly states that SteelCon made a “$15,000 donation to CCCTC representatives to support the school’s machining and welding programs.”

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Youth employment rate from targeted programs: The article implies this indicator by reporting that “one of the participating CCCTC students was hired by SteelCon shortly after the tour,” showing a direct employment outcome.
• Number of businesses participating in youth workforce initiatives: The article names at least three companies that hosted tours (Buckeye Trailer, Compco, SteelCon) and five that were honored, indicating the level of private sector engagement.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• Level of investment in the future workforce for industry: The “$15,000 donation” from SteelCon to the CCCTC can be seen as a direct private sector investment in developing a skilled workforce for the manufacturing industry.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Number of public-private partnerships for sustainable development: The initiative itself, involving the Port Authority, CCCTC, and multiple private manufacturers, serves as an indicator of such a partnership.
• Value of private sector contributions to public institutions: The “$15,000 donation” from a private company (SteelCon) to a public educational institution (CCCTC) is a quantifiable indicator of the partnership’s financial impact.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: morningjournalnews.com