Skills. Partnerships. Impact.

“Ohio TechNet's consortium is a real collaboration among industry and higher ed. Those two usually don’t partner, but this is happening. Without these cross-sector partnerships and collaborations, if you don’t have those, I don’t think you can be successful.”

Stephanie Meeks - Director of Workforce Development, Ashland University

"For manufacturers, the message is clear: sustained engagement with workforce partners isn’t just beneficial – it’s essential to meeting Ohio’s industrial talent needs for the next decade and beyond."

Jessica Borza - Managing Director, Workforce Services, The Ohio Manufacturers' Association

"Ohio TechNet supported the launch of Training & Recruitment Accelerated Innovation Network, or TRAIN Ohio. TRAIN Ohio blends school and work into a 21st century “earn and learn” program where companies and educators integrate activities in both space and time. This program will increase the number of people in the talent pipeline while keeping training affordable for students. It recognizes that our success in growing new jobs through innovation rests on strategic and ongoing collaboration with industry, workforce and education partners."

Dr. Marcia Ballinger - President, Lorain County Community College.

"Ohio TechNet grant funding has allowed Rhodes State to promote the award of industry recognized credentials to participants by embedding the credentials in both credit and non-credit coursework."

Margo Meyer - Director of Advanced Manufacturing Initiatives, Rhodes State College

"Our new accelerated programs for advanced manufacturing enable students to enter manufacturing careers much faster than traditional, seat-based programs allow."

Jim Hill - Project Manager, Sinclair Community College

"The collaboration of the various schools has been very helpful in establishing our curriculum and building our facilities. Sharing best practices helped us build a facility and program that was able to “hit the ground running” the day it opened."

Douglas A. Bowling - Dean, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

"Eastern Gateway Community College has been working with the Mahoning Valley Manufactures Coalition to develop specialized programs for business for the non-credit training of their employees as well as being able to offer new students different pathways of specialization in manufacturing"

Ryan Pasco - Director of Energy and Engineering Initatives, Eastern Gateway Community College

"Ohio TechNet has been a great fit as it supports and aligns with Lakeland’s goals of supporting student success, completion and aligning academic programs with area workforce needs which prepares students to be job ready upon completion."

Brian Cook - Dean for Applied Studies, Lakeland Community College

"Our campus, located in the heart of the industrial park in Cambridge, is at the epicenter of a diverse group of industries such as Detroit Diesel, FedEx, Colgate, and Rigid Tool. Supplying these companies with a continued pipeline of well-trained workers and offering credit and non-credit training through our workforce development center have become the primary focus for our institution."

Becky Anderson - Project Manager, Zane State College

"New and current students have benefited from more organized and modern prior learning assessments, improvements and additions to key lab equipment that is very similar to what is found in industry, and a designated retention advisor who has assisted students become more likely to finish a degree or certificate. In addition, students are learning job search skills and are being exposed to various positions related to welding and manufacturing."

Denise S. Smith - Associate VP Academic Affairs & Academic Services, Owens Community College

“It will provide us with another resource for obtaining individuals with the skill set we are needing and will also help position our company with the ability to provide quality products to our worldwide customer base.“

Sam Jenkins - Vice President of Operations at Sweet Manufacturing

“It is because of strong partners like Ohio TechNet that OMA felt confident in establishing workforce as an organizational statewide priority. Nearly every county in Ohio is impacted by Ohio TechNet’s enhanced manufacturing training programs. OMA embraces the opportunity to connect employers to our Ohio TechNet partners.”

Eric Burkland - President Emeritus, The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association

“A well-rounded education elevates the employee to a higher status. Because of the hands-on experience, the employee is well prepared for the field.”

NEAPCO - Employer Partner

“CNC operators are in high demand. We welcome entering this partnership to set up the kind of program that could help fill that need. Any academic institution that takes the time to work with employers to find out what they need, that’s a relationship that is worthwhile!”

Dave White - Manager of HR, PLIDCO

"Employers were appreciative to be able to come to a ‘one-stop’ alliance for information, strategies, and best practices. We are proud to work together to connect the dots for our region."

Phyllis Kolodny - Project Manager, Cuyahoga Community College

"Ohio TechNet grant funding was a critical piece in bringing Stark State College’s new manufacturing lab to fruition."

Dr. Para M. Jones - President, Stark State College