ELYRIA, Ohio – A group of five Ohio community colleges has established the North Shore Manufacturing Workforce partnership to address critical skill gaps in advanced manufacturing. This initiative, supported by a $5.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, will focus on developing talent pipelines for high-demand manufacturing careers across the state.
Lorain County Community College will lead the partnership through the Ohio Technical Skills Innovation Network, a statewide collaborative facilitated by the college, that connects educational institutions with manufacturing and tech industry leaders. Joining LCCC are Cuyahoga Community College, North Central State College, Owens Community College and Terra State Community College, according to a news release.
The partnership will be supported by key industry organizations, including Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) and the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET), as well as employer partners such as Honda, Lincoln Electric and Jergens.
LCCC President Marcia Ballinger said the college is proud to be part of a partnership that will create sustainable career pathways and prepare students for success as the manufacturing industry evolves.
“Ohio has a rich history of innovation and excellence in manufacturing, and this initiative ensures that we continue to build on that legacy while preparing for the future,” Ballinger said in the release.
The Strengthening Community Colleges training grant, designed to support sector-based career pathway programs, will be used by the North Shore Manufacturing Workforce Partnership to streamline programs for students pursuing high-demand manufacturing engineering technician careers in Ohio, according to the release.
Those pathways will prioritize hands-on, work-based learning, including paid earn-and-learn internships and expand opportunities for students to receive credit for prior work and life experiences.
“With this investment, Ohio’s community colleges will scale affordable engineering career pathways, strengthen earn-and-learn opportunities and train highly skilled manufacturing engineers to meet industry demand,” Avi Zaffini, president and CEO of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges, said in the release.
The North Shore Manufacturing Workforce partnership aims to serve as a statewide model for strengthening workforce development initiatives and equipping students with the skills and credentials necessary for success in high-demand manufacturing careers.
This story was written with assistance from AI.