Veterans Transition to Teaching, Boosting Central Ohio's Tech Workforce
In Central Ohio, military veterans Brian Parks and Bill Pencil are leveraging their military-acquired skills to educate high school students at Tolles Career and Technical Center in Plain City, Ohio. As the region's tech industry grows, the demand for skilled workers is increasing, and these veterans are preparing students to meet this demand. Parks, an Army mechanic, and Pencil, a Navy welder, teach automotive technology and welding, respectively. They emphasize not only technical skills but also the values of teamwork, discipline, and leadership. Their approach is seen as a natural fit for the technical education sector, which seeks instructors with real-world experience. Both veterans have found teaching to be a rewarding career, allowing them to continue serving their country by shaping the next generation of skilled workers. 
