In today’s competitive job market, it is essential to prepare students for their future careers. On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, Perrysburg High School hosted a Mock Interview event that provided students with a valuable opportunity to experience the role of job seekers. Throughout the day, students navigated the complexities of interviews with guidance from experienced professionals, including Hanna Myers, Talent Acquisition Manager at The Gerken Companies.

One of the primary goals of mock interviews is to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world experiences. Students must understand the expectations that accompany the job application process, and events such as Perrysburg’s make that learning both engaging and practical. Receiving feedback from industry professionals is invaluable, as it enables students to tailor their skills and attitudes to meet the demands of future employers.

Many students shared positive feedback, highlighting the practicality of the mock interviews and the excitement of connecting with experts in their prospective fields. What stood out most was the genuine support and constructive feedback provided by representatives like Hanna. Their willingness to share insights and tips helped demystify the interview process. According to several students, the encouragement they received was instrumental in boosting their confidence, preparing them not only for future interviews but also for professional conversations in general.

The Gerken Companies is proud to contribute to student growth and success. Our participation in events like this underscores the importance of community involvement in education. By collaborating with local businesses, we help equip the next generation of leaders with the tools necessary to navigate the challenges of the workforce.

On October 8, 2025, the Summit County Fairgrounds in Tallmadge, Ohio, played host to an inspiring gathering of students, industry leaders, and community advocates at the Akron Canton Builds Construction Expo 2025. The annual event showcases the countless opportunities available in the skilled trades sector and underscores the importance of investing in our future workforce.

Akron Canton Builds is a dedicated nonprofit that actively promotes skilled trade programs in Summit, Stark, and the surrounding counties. The organization connects individuals with fulfilling career opportunities in the construction industry, ultimately fostering economic growth and building a skilled workforce that can drive innovation and development in our communities. Through initiatives tailored specifically for young adults and aspiring tradespeople, Akron Canton Builds is making significant strides in tackling the skills gap that poses a challenge to the construction sector.

Clayton Wielinski and Mark Kirk from Kuhlman Corporation’s Akron Yard participated in this year’s expo. Their presence and Kuhlman’s involvement as an event sponsor demonstrate strong support for the industry and highlight Gerken’s commitment to developing the next generation of skilled tradespeople. The hands-on demonstrations offered at the expo were particularly engaging, allowing students to interact directly with experienced trades professionals and obtain insight into the high-demand careers awaiting them in construction.

Preparing for the Future

The Gerken Companies is taking proactive measures to promote construction jobs among young people. Our initiatives, which include paid internships for graduating high school students and sponsoring local career events, showcase the tangible benefits of starting a career in construction. Hands-on experiences not only provide invaluable exposure to the industry but also highlight the role of technology and modern practices in shaping a promising future. By helping students with the resources, knowledge, and connections they need, we are collectively investing in a brighter future for our communities.

The concerted efforts of Akron Canton Builds and other organizations, along with industry partners, are pivotal in preparing a skilled workforce for a thriving future in construction. Fostering connections between students and industry professionals can inspire a new generation to take pride in their work and contribute to the growth and development of our communities.

As we look ahead, it’s clear that the future of construction is not just about building structures but about building lives and providing opportunities that shape careers and communities.

Unfortunately, few students have the real-world exposure they need to understand the variety of career opportunities available, especially in construction. That is where programs like Junior Achievement of Northwestern Ohio’s JA Inspire come into play.

On May 7, 2025, 11th and 12th graders gathered at Toledo’s Glass City Center for JA Inspire, an event dedicated to career discovery. The annual event provides an invaluable platform for students to engage with local industry representatives, including those from Gerken’s Kuhlman Corporation.

JA Inspire is more than just another career fair; it’s an immersive experience. Students actively participate in hands-on exhibits, gaining firsthand insights into different career options.

By connecting with local businesses, educational institutions, and apprenticeship programs, area students were able to forge valuable connections that could influence their career paths. The crucial encounters allowed students to gather information, ask questions, and find mentorship opportunities to guide them beyond high school.

At The Gerken Companies, we understand that events such as JA Inspire are vital in helping students plan their coursework and make informed decisions about their futures. We directly contribute to developing Ohio’s future workforce by exposing high schoolers to real-world opportunities.

The Gerken Companies endorses Issue 2 in the upcoming May 6 election. Issue 2 will renew a critical program—the State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP)—that strengthens our communities without raising taxes. The SCIP funds essential upgrades to local roads, bridges, water systems, and other critical infrastructure in all 88 Ohio counties.

Since 1987, SCIP has helped local communities provide safe travel, good water, and strong local economies. Over the past decade alone, the program has delivered $2.3 billion in funding to more than 1,000 local governments and supported 4,490 projects—without a tax increase.

A YES vote on Issue 2 is an investment in Ohio’s future. It authorizes up to $250 million annually for ten years in bonds, repaid using existing state dollars. These funds will allow local governments to tackle high-priority infrastructure needs and create an estimated 35,000 good-paying jobs across the state.

SCIP funding is especially vital for rural and small communities, many of which lack the tax base to independently finance large-scale infrastructure projects.

Issue 2 delivers on everything from improved emergency response times and safer roads to reliable water systems and economic development. A broad coalition of stakeholders from business, labor, public safety, and local government organizations across the state endorses it.

Voting YES on Issue 2 means continued progress, job creation, and public safety—without raising taxes. Learn more at Yes2BuildOhio.com.

Please consider voting YES on Issue 2 on Tuesday, May 6.

On Monday, April 7, 2025, several Apollo Career Center students toured the Bluffton Stone Company. One of the day’s highlights was witnessing the blasting of 26,000 tons of limestone.

Participants are in Apollo’s Construction Equipment Technology (CET) class, which teaches high school juniors and seniors how to operate and maintain large equipment, including backhoes, bulldozers, forklifts, tractors, skid loaders, excavators, and dump trucks.

Doug Halker of The Bluffton Stone Company, Michael Miller of Bluffton Paving, Inc., and Joe Knepley of Gerken Materials, Inc. led the tour from The Gerken Companies.

Focused on training students for the right career paths, the Apollo Career Center offers various long- and short-term programs across industries. On its state-of-the-art Lima campus, Apollo gives students personal attention, real-world experience, and an all-inclusive culture.

As one of Ohio’s leading career technical training centers, Apollo has forged strong partnerships with regional businesses. Its accelerated programs enable Apollo to adjust content quickly to meet changing workforce demands.

For more information about the Apollo Career Center, visit their website.

As part of their annual CEO Day, students from Bryan High School’s Class of 2025 had an unforgettable experience preparing for life after high school. The day included motivational talks and interactive activities designed to equip students with skills they’ll need in their careers.

Workshops gave students valuable insights into topics such as resume writing and the importance of networking—practical skills they can use as they transition to the next phase of their lives.

In a highlight of the day, students participated in two rounds of competitive interviews with Williams County business and industry leaders. Participating interviewers included Mayor Carrie Schlade and representatives from Spangler Candy Company, Sauder Manufacturing Company, Ohio Art, Miller Bros Construction, Menards Distribution, F & M Bank, the Bryan Area Foundation, and local law firms and healthcare facilities. Hanna Myers represented The Gerken Companies.

On Monday, November 25, The Gerken Companies team members participated in Liberty Center Elementary’s Career Day. Rob Myers, Clint Shepard, Mike Wells, and Justin Cobb actively engaged the students in learning about our work.

Rob explained traffic control and the importance of wearing safety gear and demonstrated how to safely set up a construction zone.

Clint, Mike, and Justin discussed the quarrying process, including using dynamite to extract rocks and the lab procedures involved in paving roads.

Career Day helps students learn about various career paths and relate work to what they learn in school. Wearing hard hats and safety vests allowed children to experience being part of a road crew.