School-based driver education programs to begin
The Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center (MVESC), in collaboration with the Ohio Valley Educational Service Center (OVESC), is developing and implementing driver education programs across the region in 15 school districts. The program is designed to meet a need expressed by the districts, as well as address a significant barrier to student employment.
Information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows having a valid driver’s license is considered a key soft skill in multiple industry sectors. The need for employees to have a driver’s license showed the highest percentage increases in job postings from 2017 to 2021 in the information technology (171%), business and administrative services (178%) and health sciences (294%) business sectors.
According to a recent survey of 700 teens by Aceable, a Texas-based provider of online licensing, 71% of teens that had completed driver’s education have a job, while only 19% of those who had not completed driver’s education have a job. Further, the survey showed 58% of teens who haven’t completed driver’s education would like to get a job.
Students in four area counties don’t have access to driver education instruction even from private vendors, and in other cases, vendors have long waiting lists. “Some students from our area are traveling as far as Columbus to access driver education programs,” said Lori Snyder-Lowe, Superintendent, MVESC. “This initiative is critically important to our students’ futures, and we are excited to work collaboratively with OVESC to make driver education available at area school districts,” she added.
MVESC is now actively hiring part-time driver education instructors for 14 districts in eight counties, and they include Coshocton, Hocking, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry and Washington. Driving instruction can be provided during the day, evening, or weekends. MVESC will fund training for eligible applicants to earn their driving instructor’s license or certification. Applications and more information are available online at https://mvesc.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx.
Category: Education
