An active member of the community is taking on a new role to help address a workforce shortage in the county.
Tricia Pritchard has been named the director of community employment development for the Butler County Growth Collaborative.
The main duties of the director will be to work and maintain relationships with employers in the county, along with coordinating training events and working with social services.
Pritchard has taught speech, intercultural communication and public relations to students at BC3 since 2008, and courses for the college’s Workforce Development business training department since 2017.
She has conducted as a consultant noncredit communication workshops and training for Butler County addiction recovery centers, automotive dealerships, financial institutions, health care providers, manufacturers, mental health agencies and rehabilitation centers.
“In my day-to-day life, whether it was in the classroom or my volunteer work in the community, I’m learning about people and what they do, and why they do what they do,” Pritchard said. “And sometimes in that conversation I might hear that they have a need. Whether it was a need to tap into other resources in the community or whether it was a need for an employee. Are they looking for a student or an internship?
“So I would just naturally, as part of my personality, try to connect people,” Pritchard said.
Pritchard began her new role Monday on a part-time basis and will report to Lisa Campbell, dean of BC3’s Workforce Development division. Pritchard will transition to full time following the conclusion of BC3’s spring semester in May.
The position is funded by the county with funds from the American Rescue Plan and other sources through at least 2025.
