YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Youngstown State University and three Mahoning Valley career and technical centers are among the educational institutions awarded funding in the latest round of the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s Regionally Aligned Priorities in Delivering Skills grants.
Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel and Mike Duffey, Ohio Department of Higher Education chancellor, announced the approval of $8 million in funding Tuesday.
YSU received $103,980; the Youngstown City School District’s Choffin Career & Technical Center received $88,462; Mahoning County Career & Technical Center was awarded $70,679; and Columbiana County Career and Technical Center got $68,339.
The RAPIDS program provides funding to Ohio public universities, community colleges and career and technical centers to buy state-of-the-art equipment for students to use in education and training programs tailored to regional workforce needs.
“Our RAPIDS grants offer a unique opportunity for Ohio’s campuses and career technical centers to help address specific workforce needs at the local level,” DeWine said. “On an individual level, these grants give our students a tremendous opportunity to learn and refine their skills on the same top-of-the-line equipment being used by cutting-edge businesses across Ohio.”
Equipment purchased by grantees is often shared among multiple campuses, allowing more students to get a quality education more affordably.
“Making sure we’re preparing our workforce of tomorrow to fill all of the incredible job opportunities in Ohio is really a team effort,” Tressel said. “By investing in this state-of-the-art equipment so more students can access it, and by taking regional workforce needs into consideration, this program will position more of our kids to be career ready the moment they graduate.”
Duffey called the program a great example of businesses and higher education institutions working together to develop strategic plans for using the funds.
“These awards prepare students for success in the workforce, and that pipeline of skilled workers further strengthens Ohio’s economy,” he said.
Following the recent approval of the state Controlling Board, RAPIDS grant funding will be awarded to nearly 100 colleges, universities and career and technical centers across the state.