An overarching goal of YTA is to link workforce technical education to community workforce needs, ensuring that YTA programs and services remain relevant and state-of-the-art.  To accomplish this, YTA relies on feedback and support from businesses (both for- and non-profit), professional societies, and community organizations, as well as other educational institutions and Cleveland’s outstanding federal research facility, the NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field. 

Most importantly, YTA needs dedicated supporters and advocates who believe, as it does, that the economic health of northeast Ohio depends upon YTA’s ability to instill in our young people the technical skills, workforce ethic, and critical thinking abilities that enable them to master complex technology processes and adapt to ever-emerging technologies.  

Here are some suggestions for ways that you and/or your organization can contribute to YTA’s efforts.  To learn more about working with YTA, contact us at info@ytaccc.org.

Donations 

Monetary donations are welcome and can be used to offset costs of YTA programs that may not be specifically permitted under the terms of its agreements with its core funders.   These costs might include food and travel expenses to various robotics competitions, parts and equipment, or event registration fees.

In-kind donations of parts, materials, equipment, computers, facility use, etc., are equally valuable.  YTA students do not have routine access to technology outside the classroom or lab, and YTA is constantly on the lookout for sources of materials and equipment to support its hands-on instructional activities.

Sponsorship

Join YTA’s growing community of sponsors!  Become a sponsor for YTA robotics teams, or for one or more of YTA’s outreach activities!  It’s a great way to provide “front and center” promotional exposure for your organization while supporting YTA students.

Internships

Critical to the success of YTA’s efforts is getting students into the work environment and exposing them to real-world applications of what they learn in the classroom.  Internship opportunities (paid or unpaid) provide YTA students with the incentive and confidence to assume personal and professional responsibility while exploring the roles of technology in the workplace.

Mentoring Opportunities

Successful business professionals recognize, and have long benefitted from, mentoring and acknowledge its benefits for long-term career and personal success.  Sharing your technical and business expertise with YTA students, through either a one-time or continuing experience, provides a level of personal interaction that can make all the difference in the lives and careers of YTA students.

Community Access

YTA has learned that events and activities that take place outside the traditional classroom setting or school/college campus are just as valuable as those thathat take place in school. While YTA has operated more or less exclusively in various Cleveland high schools from year to year, YTA is recognizing the potential benefit of broadening its outreach by locating our some of our technology instruction in neighborhood centers or “technology clusters.”

If you have a facility that you would like to showcase, demonstrate, or make available on a longer-term basis for off-campus instruction, YTA would like to hear from you.

YTA Business Advisory Council

YTA relies on area businesses to help facilitate the transition of its students into the workforce, providing technical and career education that is relevant to local and regional workforce needs. If you are interested in becoming a part of this vital feedback process, please contact YTA.