Ohio is sending new manufacturing career-tech opportunities to students in Richland and Marion counties through a statewide grant program that will help schools add training seats and connect learners with local employers.
Pioneer Career & Technology Center in Shelby and Tri-Rivers Career Center in Marion are among 10 recipients receiving $320,000 each through the Career-Technical Education Access Grant program, according to a community announcement. State officials said the $3.2 million investment is expected to create about 300 new seats in manufacturing career-technical education programs across Ohio.
The funding is designed to establish new manufacturing career-tech programs in areas where students currently do not have access to those opportunities. Schools will work with industry partners to develop employer-focused curriculum, provide career coaching and create paid work-based learning experiences.
State leaders tied the investment to Ohio's growing manufacturing sector and the need for a skilled workforce as companies expand operations throughout the state.
"We have a responsibility to ensure that our students are prepared to take advantage of those opportunities," Gov. Mike DeWine said. "By expanding access to career-technical education in manufacturing, we're providing these opportunities to more communities across Ohio and helping more young people discover their talents, build valuable skills, and live up to their God-given potential."
Through a partnership between the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and the Ohio Manufacturers' Association, recipients will use the WorkAdvance model to help align training programs with employer needs.
Grant dollars may be used for:
Hiring manufacturing career-tech instructors
Purchasing manufacturing equipment, instructional materials and lab supplies
Developing employer-aligned curriculum
Recruiting students and engaging families
Establishing paid work-based learning opportunities
Providing transportation assistance to help remove barriers to participation
Each recipient will work with an Ohio Manufacturers' Association-endorsed Industry Sector Partnership to design programs and connect students with local manufacturing employers.
Award recipients will spend the 2026-27 school year planning and developing the new manufacturing programs. Programs are expected to begin serving students by the start of the 2027-28 school year.
The Career-Technical Education Access Grant builds on previous state investments in career-tech education. State officials said Ohio has invested $300 million through career-technical equipment and construction grant programs that expanded facilities, modernized equipment and created 10,000 new career-tech seats statewide.
The state also announced a separate $7.1 million investment in Career Pathway Support Networks in August 2025 to strengthen career-connected learning opportunities across Ohio.
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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Ohio funding boosts manufacturing career-tech access locally