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Manufacturing Experiential Advancement Readiness Network (EARN) Project

Tips for Launching an Earn-and-Learn Program
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2025 Update:

Ohio TechNet is developing an updated version of the Earn-and-Learn Guide, highlighted on this page below, to help businesses and educators design and implement high-impact work-based learning programs. This refreshed version builds on lessons from successful models across Ohio and will provide practical strategies, tools, and best practices for launching and scaling earn-and-learn initiatives.

If you have an earn-and-learn model or best practice you’d like to see featured, we want to hear from you! Reach out to share your insights and help shape this resource for Ohio’s workforce and education leaders. Stay tuned for more details soon!

Overview of the EARN Project

By 2026, the U.S. will need 3.5 million workers in advanced manufacturing, yet 2 million positions are expected to remain unfilled (National Association of Manufacturers). Manufacturing remains a cornerstone of Ohio’s economy, with the state maintaining one of the largest manufacturing workforces in the nation.

To address this workforce gap, Columbus State Community College and Lorain County Community College partnered with industry, state, and education stakeholders to launch the Manufacturing Experiential Advancement Readiness Network (EARN). Running through 2022, EARN focused on expanding experiential, work-based learning programs to strengthen Ohio’s manufacturing talent pipeline.

By replicating and scaling proven work-based learning models, EARN provided colleges with hands-on guidance in adapting training programs to industry needs. The initiative successfully leveraged industry partnerships to enhance workforce readiness, leaving a lasting impact on Ohio’s approach to manufacturing education.

Who benefits from earn-and-learn models?

Employers

EMPLOYERS
HAVE WORKFORCE NEEDS

plus
Educators

EDUCATORS
PREPARE STUDENTS TO FILL WORKFORCE NEEDS

plus
Students

STUDENTS
EARN WHILE THEY LEARN

Here’s how it works

Below you will find an overview of the entire earn-and-learn program replication process.

 

Why build an earn-and-learn program?

The replication process

Resources

Click here for a PDF copy of the Replication Guide

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