More Workshops Offered With Partnership Between County, College

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The county department of recreation and parks has teamed up with the Lincoln College of Technology - Columbia Campus to expand Howard County's Skills Club's service-learning workshop offerings.

"Howard County’s education system is nationally recognized, and Lincoln Tech is no exception. Since opening the doors of its Columbia campus in 1960, Lincoln Tech has been providing countless Marylanders with an invaluable career education. A top destination in Maryland for people who want to turn their passion for cars into a rewarding career path, it seems only fitting that the Club’s first session next month highlights automotive repair and safety. I encourage anyone – older teens and adults – who are interested in gaining new skills, expanding their knowledge base, or just looking to have a larger impact on our community, to check out this one-of-a-kind program and collaboration," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball at a news conference.

Recreation & Parks’ Service & Skills Club is a volunteer-based initiative offering community members age 16 and older, free skill-building workshops in career exploration, life skills education and civic engagement led by community leaders, nonprofits and business owners.

Through this MOU, Lincoln Tech will host Service & Skills Club workshop sessions at its Columbia campus, where its skilled faculty and staff will provide club participants with:

1. Career exposure through a guided learning experience, tour and/or presentation;
2. Skill-building instruction that includes hands-on learning related to a designated trade area; and
3. A service component in which a volunteer project is designed and developed in collaboration with Lincoln Tech to give back to the campus or our surrounding community.

“The Service and Skills Club partnership demonstrates Lincoln Tech's commitment to education that prepares students for careers while making a real difference in Howard County,” said James Martin, college president. “Through this collaboration, our students develop job-ready technical skills by working on projects that directly benefit our community. It's a win-win approach that shows how career training and community service strengthen each other – and strengthens Howard County in the process.”

For its first Service & Skills Club collaboration on Aug. 1, club participants will be joined by Lincoln Tech’s Automotive Program to learn automotive basics. During this three-hour hands-on workshop, participants will gain a basic introduction to automotive technology and maintenance, followed by a volunteer service project that supports the school's ongoing needs.

To learn more about Recreation & Parks’ Service & Skills Club and other volunteering opportunities through the department, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/recreation-parks/volunteering.