School may be out for summer for students but educators from local districts gathered together to learn how to help future employees fine-tune skills needed for the Carbon County job market.

More than 20 math, English, special education, science and technical teachers from the Panther Valley, Jim Thorpe and Carbon Career and Technical Institute schools participated in a three-day program with the guidance of Doctor Robert Mauro, education consultant, to plan future lessons that will aid students in increasing employability for today's workforce.Teachers met at the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation in Lehighton to focus on skills for the upcoming school year. Mauro informed the packed room on the state of the coal region's work force and the potential careers that often go overlooked."They don't get exposure to what kind of businesses are out there," said Mauro of the teachers participating in the program.Mauro began the undertaking of creating a bridge between manufactures and educators in Carbon to hone in on what is lacking from the recently graduated and how to fill in the skills gap for future employment."It's very informative and it brings awareness to educators and people in the area about the opportunities here," said Peggy Kalogerakis, CCTI coordinator for school improvement. "It was a very good program."Early morning of day two the educators were turned loose onto the streets of the county to visit businesses and meet manufacturers for a unique first-hand opportunity to see the ropes of production and what is needed in the workforce.Al Lombardo, shop manager of New England Motor Freight, took teachers on a tour of the garage."This is the biggest hub for repairs. All the things that need to be done on a daily basis," he said of the Lehighton location."What's missing is (applicants) don't seem experienced. They're not learning the proper way from the start. The basic knowledge of what needs to be done on a daily basis," he said. "I put ads in the paper and get only one or two people who apply. It's a tough industry right now. We have a good operation, we just need qualified people," he said of the hands-on motor and body shop.Lombardo also added the lack of motivation to the list of hiring difficulties."If you don't have the drive to be here, it's going to be hard. There is money to be made in this industry," he said.Along with NEMF the group traveled to R.F. Ohl, doctors' offices, Lehighton KIA, Switchback Medical and Silverline, among others.CCTI English teacher Kate Baumgart said she learned during the tours that employers are looking for people who know how to communicate, are organized, good at team work and those who show up every day and on time.Fellow CCTI teacher Kevin Sowa agreed."Communication skills and team work are what they are looking for," he said."I'm a math teacher but I always make a big thing about attendance," he said."Time management and organizational skills are important. One of the biggest things is just showing up to work every day," said Janet Branchide of Panther Valley.On the third day the group reconvened in the chamber office to review their experiences and strategize for the 2016/17 school year."I got to learn about a lot of jobs I wouldn't normally see, especially ones that you don't need a degree. I'll tell kids about them now instead of just pushing a four-year college. There are other possibilities out there," said Panther Valley teacher Candice Boyle.Chrisann Powell agreed with her co-worker and said part of the problem is people don't know what is in the area."I don't think kids know what's out there," she said."It's nice to see there are entry level positions for kids out there in the area," Branchide said.