Columbus, Ohio – Ohio is investing millions of dollars to help more students prepare for careers in manufacturing as demand for skilled workers continues to grow across the state.
Governor Mike DeWine, Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel, and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) Director Stephen D. Dackin announced that $3.2 million in Career-Technical Education Access Grants has been awarded to launch new manufacturing education programs in communities that currently do not offer these opportunities.
The funding will be shared among 10 Career Technical Planning Districts and Ohio Technical Centers, with each recipient receiving $320,000. State officials estimate that the grants will create around 300 new career-technical education seats for students interested in manufacturing.
The announcement comes shortly after CNBC named Ohio America’s No. 1 State for Business in 2026. State leaders said that as more companies choose Ohio for new investments and expansions, there is a growing need to ensure students have the skills needed to fill future jobs.
“Ohio continues to attract businesses that are creating new jobs and investing in our communities – particularly in the manufacturing industry,” said Governor DeWine. “We have a responsibility to ensure that our students are prepared to take advantage of those opportunities. 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.”
New manufacturing programs planned across Ohio
The grants were awarded to educational institutions serving communities throughout Ohio. The recipients include Adams County Ohio Valley Local School District, Apollo Career Center, Buckeye Joint Vocational School District, Cincinnati Public School District, Dayton Public School District, Pioneer Career & Technology Center, Switzerland Local School District, Tolles Career and Technical Center, Tri-Rivers Career Center, and U.S. Grant Career Center.
Officials said these schools and career centers will spend the next two years creating new manufacturing programs. During the 2026-2027 school year, they will focus on planning, hiring staff, purchasing equipment, and developing courses. Students are expected to begin enrolling in the new programs at the start of the 2027-2028 school year.
Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel said the investment will help connect students with growing employment opportunities across Ohio.
“Opportunity is everywhere in Ohio right now,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “As more employers create jobs across our state, we have to make sure that every student has the chance to prepare for them. These new manufacturing programs will connect more students with hands-on learning, real-world experience, and local employers so they can build rewarding careers and achieve their goals.”
Schools will work directly with manufacturers
A key part of the initiative is a partnership between the Department of Education and Workforce and the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA).
Through this partnership, each grant recipient will use the OMA WorkAdvance Model, which allows schools to build manufacturing programs with direct input from local employers. Every recipient will also work alongside an OMA-endorsed Industry Sector Partnership to create courses that reflect current workforce needs.
The collaboration will provide students with employer-designed curriculum, paid work-based learning opportunities, career coaching, and practical training that matches the skills businesses are seeking.
Grant money will support several areas, including hiring new manufacturing instructors, buying industry-standard equipment and classroom supplies, creating new curriculum, promoting the programs to students and families, and expanding paid workplace learning opportunities.
Funding may also be used to help students overcome transportation challenges, one of the barriers that often prevents participation in career-technical education.
“We want to be certain that Ohio students are ready for every opportunity presented to them and, with the demand for manufacturing jobs growing, it’s imperative for our schools to have the programs required for these careers,” said Director Dackin. “This goes beyond training. Giving our students the tools to be successful means unlocking gifts they may not know they possess. It gives them exposure to new interests, skills, and career paths that will lead to continued innovation in our state.”
Ryan Augsburger, president of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, said stronger connections between schools and employers are essential for Ohio’s future workforce.
“Ohio cannot grow its manufacturing economy without a stronger pipeline of skilled workers. These grants will help schools build programs around the skills employers actually need and give more students a direct path to good-paying manufacturing careers,” said Augsburger. “By expanding the WorkAdvance model, Ohio is strengthening the connection between education and industry and building a workforce prepared for the opportunities ahead.”
State leaders noted that the new grants build on previous investments in career-technical education. Under Governor DeWine’s administration, Ohio has already committed $300 million through Career-Technical Equipment and Construction Grant programs, helping expand facilities, modernize equipment, and create 10,000 new career-technical education seats across the state. In August 2025, the state also announced an additional $7.1 million investment to establish Career Pathway Support Networks that strengthen career-connected learning opportunities statewide.
Officials said the latest grants will further expand access to manufacturing education in urban, suburban, and rural communities, helping ensure students across Ohio are ready for the state’s growing economy and the high-demand manufacturing jobs of the future.
