The Piedmont Education & Business Alliance recently hosted its seventh annual Guidance Standards and Career Development Workshop at Piedmont Technical College. The event drew nearly 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 from technology in the classroom and teaching social skills to ideas for character education and forum of local business leaders. The sessions divided into four categories based on the needs of the participants – elementary school, middle school, high school and all grade levels. The workshop also included the opportunity for participants to learn more about the current workplace through tours of Capsugel and Cooper Power Systems and a newly added tour of Piedmont Technical College.

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

Pam Cobb, director of continuous improvement at Capsugel who serves as chair of the alliance coordinating board, welcomed the group and expressed appreciation for their outstanding work with students. Beginning the day’s activities was Dr. Sue Smith-Rex, a teacher and professor of over thirty years in public education with an emphasis in special education and at-risk students. Smith-Rex addressed building meaningful relationships with students and shared successful practices.

For the first time, the workshop was joined by the Guidance Advisory Council. The Council normally holds meetings each fall and spring to provide guidance counselors with information and updates on policies, programs and procedures at Piedmont Tech. This information was presented in a session hosted by Steve Coleman, director of College Outreach.

“By training with guidance counselors and district occupational instructors, we are working to help the schools with dropout prevention and to ensure that the counties we serve have a better-prepared work force,” said Sheffield.

Photo Caption: Dr. Sue Smith-Rex, a teacher and professor of over thirty years in public education with an emphasis in special education and at-risk students, was the keynote speaker at the seventh 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.