Columbus, Ohio – Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) Director Stephen D. Dackin announced a $7.1 million statewide investment through the Career Pathway Support Networks Request for Applications (RFA). This two-year strategy is designed to give students earlier and more meaningful exposure to career options, mentoring, and technical education aligned with Ohio’s evolving workforce needs.
“This is another way we’re building a brighter future for Ohio,” said Governor DeWine. “These networks will equip schools across the state with the tools and partnerships they need, while giving students opportunities to pursue careers in high-wage, in-demand jobs.”
Support Networks Will Serve Schools and Regional Partners
The funding is available to school districts, Career-Technical Planning Districts (CTPDs), and other regional education partners. It will be distributed across Ohio’s seven JobsOhio regions using a formula that considers school enrollment numbers, local service needs, and potential for regional economic growth.
Lt. Governor Jim Tressel emphasized the importance of starting early. “It’s never too early to start learning about career pathways, and we’re creating the opportunity for more students to do just that through these networks. They’re also giving students the support they need to understand these pathways and learn how to navigate them — an invaluable investment in their future.”
Each Career Pathway Support Network will operate under the guidance of a regional steering committee and focus on four major goals:
-
Expanding access to middle-grade career-technical education (grades 7-10).
-
Ensuring students have consistent access to high-quality career advising and mentorship.
-
Leading career-connected learning efforts aligned to workforce demand.
-
Building partnerships between schools, businesses, and communities to support new career-tech educators and administrators.
Investing in Ohio’s Future Workforce
Director Dackin highlighted the long-term vision of the initiative. “Ohio’s investment in career readiness goes beyond just preparing students for jobs — it’s about creating pathways to economic prosperity for families and strengthening communities. This work is built on partnerships, connecting students with real-world experiences, high-demand career paths, and strong relationships with employers. By doing so, we are making sure they graduate with the skills and training needed to succeed in today’s economy and lead in the future.”
The investment includes $3.1 million in Fiscal Year 2026 and $4 million in FY27. These funds will go toward programs that build sustainable partnerships and technical education opportunities for students, particularly in areas currently underserved.
Toolkit Released to Guide Implementation
To help districts get started, DEW has published the Effective Access Career-Technical Education Toolkit. This comprehensive resource provides:
-
Regional education and workforce data
-
Strategies to design impactful programs
-
Step-by-step implementation checklists
-
Guidance for building strong industry relationships
The toolkit also helps school leaders assess current gaps in technical education access and develop new or expanded offerings tailored to local workforce needs.
Closing Gaps in Participation
According to the DEW, more than 141,000 Ohio students took part in at least one career-technical course during the 2023-2024 school year. However, 59 districts still report high school career-tech enrollment below 10%, prompting a call to action to close the gap and ensure equal opportunity.
Districts, CTPDs, and regional partners have until September 17 to submit their applications for the Career Pathway Support Networks program. Interested applicants can access the full RFA and toolkit on DEW’s Career Pathway Support Networks webpage.
By prioritizing career-connected learning, Ohio aims to prepare its students not just for graduation — but for long-term success in a competitive job market.
