COLUMBUS, Ohio – Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel and Stephen D. Dackin, director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, announced the availability of $3.2 million in grant funding to help more Ohio schools create, expand or improve career technical education programs in manufacturing.

The Career Technical Education Access Grant is being offered through a partnership between the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. The grants will help schools develop programs that teach students the skills needed for modern manufacturing careers – including hands-on training with industry equipment and instruction aligned with the needs of employers.

“Ohio’s manufacturing industry is growing, and we need to make sure our students are ready to fill the jobs that are coming,” DeWine said. “It is critical that we continue our work to invest in career technical education through things like this grant program – which will help many students discover new passions for the rewarding opportunities available to them in manufacturing.”

The Department of Education and Workforce plans to fund at least 10 projects across the state, awarding up to $320,000 per project. Grant funding can be used to support a variety of program needs, including:

  • Hiring licensed manufacturing instructors.
  • Purchasing machinery, tools and classroom equipment.
  • Developing curriculum and instructional materials aligned with industry needs.
  • Recruiting students into new or expanded programs.
  • Building partnerships with local manufacturers for job-shadowing, internships and work-based learning.

“The demand for career technical education continues to grow across Ohio,” Tressel said. “Opportunity is everywhere in our state right now – especially in manufacturing, which remains one of Ohio’s most in-demand industries. We need skilled workers who are ready to step into these good-paying manufacturing jobs. This grant will help more students get the training and hands-on experience they need to achieve their goals.”

Programs funded through the grant will incorporate OMA’s WorkAdvance model, which provides manufacturing trainees across Ohio a step-by-step support system that combines classroom learning, hands-on technical training, employer partnerships and other support services to help them stay on track and succeed.

Eligible applicants include lead districts in Career Technical Planning Districts applying to offer new satellite programs in local school districts, community schools or STEM schools where manufacturing programs do not currently exist, as well as Ohio Technical Centers.

The grant provides successful applicants an aggressive two-year time frame to build and launch their programs. During the 2026-27 school year, schools will focus on planning and development, including hiring instructors, purchasing equipment and building partnerships with local employers. Programs will launch by the start of the 2027-28 school year.

“The grant is designed to expand access to manufacturing career pathways and accelerate getting programs in place in Ohio schools,” Dackin said. “Whether it’s an instructional need or lack of equipment, schools may have specific hurdles to starting a manufacturing pathway, and these funds can be used to identify those needs, expand capacity and ensure a program is operational. We appreciate the support and expertise from the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, which has been an incredible partner in this work.”

OMA and the Department of Education and Workforce have worked closely to ensure the new training programs that will be supported by the grant funding will reflect the skills that employers need most. The approach aims to connect education and industry partners to help learners prepare for entry-level manufacturing jobs and future career growth.

“The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association commends the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce for recognizing the success of the WorkAdvance model and expanding it into high school and adult education systems,” said Ryan Augsburger, OMA president. “This effort builds on the momentum of Ohio’s Industry Sector Partnerships and strengthens an employer-driven approach to preparing students and workers for high-skill, high-wage careers. It also advances the goals of our Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint to better-align education with industry demand. We are proud to partner in strengthening talent pipelines, supporting employers and connecting more Ohioans to meaningful career opportunities.”

More information about the grant, including application requirements and deadlines, is available HERE.