Board approves $150,000 Siemens pilot to create building-automation career pathway
Loading...
Summary
Ohio County Schools approved a $150,000 agreement with Siemens to pilot a building-automation training program at Wheeling Park High School in partnership with Northern Community College; board members said the program could create regional job pathways with six-figure earnings potential for students who continue their credentials.
The Ohio County Board of Education voted April 13 to authorize an agreement with Siemens to pilot a building-automation learning pathway at Wheeling Park High School.
Board members said the program — described in meeting materials as 'Transforming the Everyday' — would deliver four semesters of instruction across junior and senior years, with micro-credentials and certificates earned along the way. Mr. Jones and partnering representatives from Northern Community College said the pathway was designed to connect graduates to regional jobs in building automation and HVAC systems; an estimate cited in the discussion put entry-level wages for credentialed students in the roughly $70,000 range after two years, with higher starting salaries possible with further credentialing.
Mr. Jones and Dr. Miller told the board the district has the funds allocated for the contract and expected the program to attract additional students to Wheeling Park High School. The district discussed classroom and lab logistics, noting Northern Community College may provide space for hands-on HVAC work while initial coursework is computer-based.
A motion to authorize entering the Siemens agreement was moved, seconded and approved unanimously. Board members said they expect to announce teacher training and community outreach once schedules are set.
