Strategic Focus Areas

Partnering with Industry

Industry-educator collaboration is essential to meet the evolving demands of advanced manufacturing and technology sectors.

Ohio TechNet serves as a trusted “front door” for those seeking to pilot and have a ready infrastructure to scale what works. Partnerships with the ARM Institute, NextFlex, CESMII, and other Institutes within the Manufacturing USA network; the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, the Ohio MEP,  National Defense Education Program, regional economic development leaders, industry-sector partnerships, and individual industry leaders directly informs our work to help bring capacity, resources and best practices to OTN education members in their work with industry leaders to develop a pipeline of highly skilled talent tailored to meet specific workforce needs.

Innovative Earn-and-Learn

Ohio TechNet provides technical assistance to partners working to advance innovative earn and learn models, bridging the gap between education and workforce needs.

Through strategic partnerships with industry, educational institutions, and workforce agencies, Ohio TechNet leverages resources to provide access to cutting-edge strategies that integrate hands-on learning with real-world work experiences. Innovative earn-and-learn program models work to develop a continuous talent pipeline.

Guided Pathways for Youth / K-12 Engagement

Through its robust state-wide partnerships, Ohio TechNet provides resources, mentorship, and awareness of innovative programs that inspire the next generation of skilled professionals. In partnership with state and national industry leaders, Ohio TechNet supports its members to expand hands-on experiences with their K-12 partners and build capacity to prepare youth for high-demand fields, providing a strong foundation for success in the workforce.

Faculty and Educator Development

Finding new ways to engage and prepare faculty and other educators to support manufacturing and tech education and training is a recognized shared challenge across Ohio and the U.S.  Ohio TechNet has helped secure significant federal and philanthropic investment to support our state’s work to equip more educators with cutting-edge knowledge and training, informed directly by industry.

Faculty and educator development fosters innovation in teaching methodologies, aligns curricula with industry needs, and enhances student success.

Reaching New Audiences

By fostering collaborative partnerships with employers, educators, and community organizations, OTN helps its members create pathways to success for untapped talent. OTN members have access to free open education resources and many grant projects support capacity building to increase targeted outreach and innovative training and advancement models.