Workforce Development and Community Programming
Eric Mason-Guffey, EdD
Vice President, Academic Affairs
Phone: (419) 995-8265
Email: masonguffey.e@rhodesstate.edu
Office: 207 Keese Hall
Barb Brdicka, BS
Sr. Director, Workforce Development and Community Programming
Phone: (419) 995-8426
Email: brdicka.b@rhodesstate.edu
Office: 179 JJC
Rhodes State’s Workforce Development and Community Programming (WDCP) provides non-credit and credential (credit) training for individuals, employers looking to upskill incumbent workers, and organizations through in-person and online courses and programs.
Company Training Solutions
The WDCP team of workforce specialists works with employers to customize and deliver training solutions to effectively meet the challenges faced in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing workforce environment. Many of the offerings prepare participants for industry-recognized credential/certification examinations. The WDCP team also offers training open to all individuals. WDCP's experience in developing and directing training programs for business, industry, government, and non-profit agencies makes it the single point of contact for workplace training needs.
Experiential Learning Programs: Earn and Learn, Internship, and Apprenticeship/Pre-Apprenticeship
WDCP assists companies in the creation and support of Earn and Learn, Internship and Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship programs. Rhodes State College is recognized by the Department of Labor and the State of Ohio Office of Apprenticeship as a Registered Sponsor and an Apprenticeship Ambassador. WDCP works with companies to design and simplify the start-up and ongoing maintenance of all experiential learning programs.
Mitsubishi Training Center
Rhodes State College has partnered with Mitsubishi Electric Automation Inc. to establish the “Mitsubishi Training Center at Rhodes State College.” The Center provides training on Mitsubishi Programmable Logical Controllers (PLCs) and Human Machine Interface (HMI) utilizing standardized Mitsubishi curriculum. Classes are taught by Mitsubishi-certified instructors. The Center brings nationally-recognized training locally.
Small Business Development Center
The Rhodes State College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides individual, confidential counseling and training programs for the small business person. The no-cost, confidential services link resources of higher education with resources of federal, state and local governments and the private sector.
The SBDC at Rhodes State operates in cooperation with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Ohio Development Services Agency. The service area includes Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam and Van Wert counties.
This unique public/private partnership offers clients one-stop access to federal, state and local small business assistance programs and provides counseling and training to new and existing businesses.
Rhodesology (Youth) and Pre-College Programs
WDCP offers a wide range of in-person camp and program opportunities for students in grades 2 through 7 (Rhodesology), and grades 8-11 (Pre-College) during the academic year and in the summer. Participants utilize and explore STEAM technology through project work utilizing on-campus laboratories as well as touring local workforce partners' facilities.
Community Programs
To inspire life-long learning with new topics for enjoyment, WDCP offers a myriad of non-credit class offerings both on-line and in-person.
West Central Ohio Manufacturing Partnership (WCOMP)
Rhodes State College is an educational partner with the West Central Ohio Manufacturing Partnership (WCOMP), which provides the products, services, and assistance that are dedicated to the productivity, growth, and global competitiveness of Ohio manufacturers. This partnership broadens the access of training and service programs to manufacturers in the region. Opportunities exist for local industries to address their skill training needs to develop their skills for employment in manufacturing.