Tri Star CBI Career Signing Day with CAPT

CBI students Brett Donati and Nik Billings recently signed their “letter of intent” to become full-time employees at CAPT. 

Tri Star Career Compact, in partnership with CAPT, held a “Career Signing Day” Wednesday for the students and their parents to make their commitment to the company official. 

Brett Donati signs with CAPT

The two students will be working in the Maintenance Department at CAPT receiving hands-on training and also attending the Skills Trac program at Wright State University – Lake Campus. 

The program is a two year commitment with the end resulting with Nik and Brett becoming valuable team members to CAPT’s Equipment Services Department. 

Nik Billings signs with CAPT

Tuition for the Skills Trac training will be paid for by CAPT with the students receiving wages for attending the classes.

Donati, a senior in Celina’s Career Based Intervention (CBI) is the son of Renee and Nick Donati of Celina. Billings is a senior in St. Mary’s CBI program and is the son of Wendy and Jeremy Frilling.

In attendance at the signing were CAPT’s Vice President, Tom Rable, and Maintenance Manager Bob Kirkpatrick. Tri Star representatives included CBI instructors Don Berry (Celina) and Scott Albers (St. Marys).

Tri Star is thrilled to work with CAPT to recognize these hard-working students. Congratulations Brett and Nik on making it official!

Tri Star CBI Student Earns Full-Time Apprenticeship

Congratulations to Lincoln Eichler, a Tri Star Career Compact Career Based Intervention student, who recently signed a letter of intent to become a full-time employee at Health Care Products, Coldwater. 

The career signing day was held April 23 at HCP, for Eichler, his parents, and representatives from HCP and Tri Star to recognize the milestone. 

Eichler will begin a full-time machine maintenance apprenticeship after graduating this spring. He will work in HCP's maintenance department receiving hands-on training. 

Tuition for the internship will be funded by HCP. 

Lincoln Eichlar earns full-time apprenticeship

HCP representatives are in the back row Jason Smith, from left, Dave Willmann, and Bridget Garrity and CBI instructor Don Berry. In the front row are his father, Steven Eichler, Lincoln Eichler and his mother, Katey Eichler

Tri Star CBI Signing Day with Pax Machine, Inc.

Tri Star Career Compact, in partnership with Pax Machine, Inc., recently held their first “Career Signing Day” for Tri Students Kyle Zizelman (CBI) and Mitch Hamberg (welding). The two students, who currently work part-time at Pax, were offered full-time positions upon graduation from high school.

In a brief ceremony, Zizelman and Hamberg, along with their parents, met with representatives from Tri Star and Pax to make their ‘signing’ as full-time employees official. Both students have accepted positions as a press room float under the supervision of veteran Pax employee Larry Gibson.

Kyle Zizleman, Tri Star CBI student signs with Pax Machine, Inc.

Tri Star Career Compact, in partnership with Pax Machine, Inc., recently held their first “Career Signing Day” for Tri Students Kyle Zizelman (CBI) and Mitch Hamberg (welding). The two students, who currently work part-time at Pax, were offered full-time positions upon graduation from high school.

In a brief ceremony, Zizelman and Hamberg, along with their parents, met with representatives from Tri Star and Pax to make their ‘signing’ as full-time employees official. Both students have accepted positions as a press room float under the supervision of veteran Pax employee Larry Gibson.

This first-ever career signing day was the brain child of Career Based Intervention (CBI) instructor Don Berry, in cooperation with Pax representatives Carol Knapke and Jeff Pax. This ‘signing’, similar to an athlete signing to play for a college, was created to highlight the win-win partnership of education and manufacturing. 

Notably, Zizelman and Hamberg are benefiting from the competitive advantage of securing full-time employment as well as an opportunity to ‘cash in’ on Pax’s 100% Tuition Reimbursement Program (after six months of full-time work). 

Mitch Hamburg signs with Pax Machine, Inc.

Zizelman will take advantage of the Tuition Reimbursement Program as he plans to pursue a degree in Engineering at Wright State Lake Campus while also continuing to work at Pax.

Kyle Zizelman is the son of Joyce and Marc Zizelman and is a senior from Celina. Don Berry is his CBI instructor. Mitch Hamberg is the son of Vaneda and Chris Hamberg and is a senior from Coldwater. Brent Tippie is his welding instructor at Tri Star.

Tri Star is excited to partner with Pax to recognize these hard-working students and congratulates Kyle and Mitch on making it official!

Tri Star CBI Students Earn FANUC Certification

Eight Tri Star CBI students, all from Celina, completed a 30-hour adult robotics course on Friday, March 29th at Tri Star Career Compact’s Dennings Building in St. Marys. The students earned their FANUC Material Handling and Programming Certification, a very valuable and much desired industry credential. In addition to these evening robotic classes, the students were also attending high school full-time and working jobs as well. 

Tri Star CBI Students Earn FANUC Certification

A big thank you to Jared Ebbing, Mercer County Economic Development Director, who provided a partial scholarship to these Tri Star CBI students to help pay for the classes.

We, at Tri Star, are all very proud of these young men. The adult robotics program was taught by Jerry Kohnen (Tri Star's REC Tech teacher) and the CBI (Career Based Intervention) Program is taught by Don Berry.

Pictured with their certificates at the completion of their training are (left to right): front row - Tyler Salyer, Nate Houts, Brennan Wilson, and Logan Keiser and back row - Dustin Stouder, Izsak Link, Gabe Perry, and Brett Donati.

Shout Out to Jared Ebbing, Huge Tri Star CBI SupporterJared Ebbing

Tri Star CBI classes would like to thank Jared Ebbing, Mercer County Economic Development Director for speaking to all classes recently. 

Jared Ebbing, Mercer County Economic Development Director speaks to Tri Star CBI Students

Jared emphasized the great need for skilled and unskilled workers in our area. He explained how Hometown Opportunity and all of the great tools that students can use to find employment in our local communities. 

Thank you Jared for coming and speaking to the students! Mr. Ebbing is a great supporter of Tri Star and we appreciate all he does for our communities!!

Tri Star CBI Students Tour Pax Machine Works In Celina

Tri Star Career Compact would like to thank the staff at Pax Machine Works for hosting our CBI students for a plant tour! 

The students were very impressed with the opportunities that Pax offers to their employees.

Mike Pax, President had extremely positive comments on the classes as a whole and especially with the two groups that toured under his guidance.

Mike Pax, President had extremely positive comments on the classes as a whole and especially with the two groups that toured under his guidance.

Mike Pax, President had extremely positive comments on the classes as a whole and especially with the two groups that toured under his guidance.

Mike’s feedback clearly reiterates the commendable daily class instruction these students receive. 

Tri Star is pleased to have a strong business partnership with Pax Machine Works!! #BusinesPartnership#CTE #Opportunity

Cotterman & Company, Inc Visits Tri Star CBI Class

Tri Star CBI classes would like to thank Jon Plattner of Cotterman & Company for coming to class and discussing opportunities. 

Jon and Cotterman have been working with Tri Star CBI classes to help guide students with possible career choices. 

Jon Plattner of Cotterman & Company, Inc.

Thanks Jon for you time and willingness to share about careers and opportunities at Cotterman & Company!!

Tri Star CBI Students Visit Celina Tent

Tri Star Career Compact would like to thank the staff at Celina Tent for allowing our CBI students to tour their Celina facility. 

Tri Star CBI Students Visit Celina Tent

It's great to see what is taking place in local businesses throughout our communities.

The students and staff at Tri Star were very impressed by what is going on at Celina Tent. Also it was awesome to see the Tri Star grads now working at Celina Tent, including some of the owners!! 

Thanks again for taking the time out of your day for the tour!! Another strong business partnership for Tri Star and Celina Tent!!

Tri Star CBI Alumni, Nick Laffin, Speaks to CBI Class About Exciting Opportunities with ODOT

Tri Star CBI grad Nicholas Laffin, Jane Meir, Joel Etgen and Julie Fast from Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) came to speak to CBI students in Celina. 

Nick Laffin, former Tri Star CBI student speaks to Celina CBI class about his experiences

Many opportunities exist at ODOT some of which include: Highway Technician, Transportation Manager, Surveyors/Real Estate, Information Technology, Safety Coordinator, and Civil Engineers. 

Thanks to Nick Laffin and ODOT for an outstanding presentation!

Mr. Bill Martin from Mercer Savings Bank Speaks to Tri Star CBI Class

Tri Star CBI class would like to thank Mr. Bill Martin, President & CEO from Mercer Savings Bank, for talking to students about opportunities in the banking industry. 

Mr. Martin discussed the importance of saving for the future as well as money management. 

CBI students learn about saving, investing, annuities, bonds, CD's, budgeting and much more! This is a great class for learning post graduation skills.

Student Scholarships Earned Through Tri Star CBI

Nick Laffin, Jaden Braun, Matt Muter, and Nathan Bowman received scholarships through the West Central Ohio Workforce Development Initiative.

These students were eligible to receive these scholarships because they are Tri Star CBI students during 2017 - 2018.

Nick Laffin

Nick Laffin received the 20 Under 20 Award and he is employed by the Ohio Department of Transportation. Nick is also a Level 1 firefighter who earned his machine trade certificate by taking night courses.

Jaden Braun

Jaden Braun received a 20 Under 20 award and he is employed by Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. in Celina. Jaden earned a certificate in robotics training through the Workforce Development Initiative of West Central Ohio.

Matt Muter

 Matt Muter attended adult welding classes at night while also attending high school. Matt received a scholarship through the West Central Ohio Workforce Development Initiative. He currently works for Celina Precision Machining.

Nathan Bowman

Nathan Bowman earned an $800 scholarship as a junior to attend adult welding school in St. Marys. The scholarship was from the West Central Ohio Workforce Development Initiative.

Tri Star CBI Accolades From a Tri Star Parent

Thank you, Tiffany Laffin for the kind words and best of luck to Nick Laffin!

Ohio School Board President Visits Tri Star CBI Program

Tess Elshoff, Ohio School Board President Visits Tri Star CBI Class

The success of the Tri Star Career Based Intervention (CBI) program has caught the attention of local businesses and manufacturers, and that of Tess Elshoff, president of the Ohio School Board of Education. Elshoff recently attended the 20 Under 20 banquet where she was intrigued by the CBI students and wanted to learn more about the program and how it is serving local manufacturers and large and small businesses in Mercer and Auglaize counties.

Elshoff, along with Christine Gardner, Ohio ACTE Executive Director, AAP’s Stacey Pickens, Ferguson Enterprise’s John Huber, Reynolds and Reynolds’ Steve Kuhn, and Jared Ebbing, Mercer County Economic Director recently visited Tri Star Career Compact to learn more about the CBI program and its successes, and to tour the Tri Star 2.0 Building project.

The visitors learned that, over the years, the Career Based Intervention classes have changed and grown to be the largest program offered by Tri Star. Benefits of taking the popular elective class include scholarships, certifications, career education, and valuable business connections that students would otherwise not receive.

Tri Star CBI Instructors address students and guest speakers

Speakers from local manufacturers and businesses visit the class weekly offering advice and lessons on a variety of important real-life topics. CBI introduces students to many career themes and topics, some of which include: financial security, money management, teamwork and leadership, interpersonal relationships at work, resume writing, interview skills, and workplace ethics.

CBI is not a career exploration program; it is a project-based learning (pbl) program in which companies and businesses evaluate the students’ performance with an employee rating scale. These students receive a grade from their employer as well as from the CBI classroom.

Tri Star CBI Instructor, Don Berry, introduces Ohio School Board President

Many large and small local businesses and manufacturers, including Ferguson Enterprises, AAP, Crown, Reynolds & Reynolds, and Nidec Minster Machine, to name a few, have chosen to hire CBI students as permanent workers

Tri Star Celina CBI Students Working at Ferguson Enterprises

Celina Tri Star CBI students are getting great work experience this year working at Ferguson Enterprises. Briana Eisenhut is a full time Celina High School student who also works at Ferguson full time. Because Briana is enrolled in Tri Star Career Based Intervention (CBI), she is eligible to work in manufacturing at only seventeen years old.

Briana Eisenhut working at Ferguson Enterprises

Jaden Braun is a full time Celina High School student who is also enrolled in Celina Tri Star CBI. Jaden is currently working third shift at Ferguson Enterprises.

Jaden Braun operating a forklift at Ferguson Enterprises

Celina Tri Star is very proud of these young students who are working hard to get a jump start on a career!! Congratulations and keep it up!!

Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) speaks to Tri Star CBI students

On November 10, Jane Meir, John Rethman, and Joel Etgen, employees of ODOT, spoke to the Tri Star CBI students about the many opportunities that ODOT offers. 

Some of the career opportunities include:

• Highway Technician
• Transportation Managers
• Surveyors/Real Estate
• Information Technology
• Safety Coordinators
• Civil Engineers 

Thanks ODOT for an outstanding presentation!