COLUMBUS, Ohio — Five college campuses in northeast Ohio will receive a share of $5.3 million approved for workforce development, due to funding approved by the state Controlling Board to purchase state-of-the-art equipment.

Gov. John Kasich and the legislature targeted funding in the state capital budget to assist Ohio’s public universities, community colleges, and career technical centers in providing the most up-to-date education possible, part of an effort to provide a skilled workforce for in-demand jobs.

Each of the five campuses — Lakeland Community College, Kent State University, Stark State College, The University of Akron, and Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) — will receive $143,333. This latest round of funding will allow for the purchase of equipment in the fields of information technology, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, additive manufacturing, cloud manufacturing, smart business automation, and cybersecurity. The University of Akron, for example, plans to purchase a metal 3-D printer to aid in advanced manufacturing training.

The purchases are funded by the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s (ODHE) Regionally Aligned Priorities in Delivering Skills (RAPIDS) program.

Local business partners said the funding will help prepare students for in-demand jobs in the region. John Carey, ODHE chancellor, said the RAPIDS program has helped different regions in Ohio address their most pressing workforce needs while preparing traditional and nontraditional students for successful careers.

“When our schools collaborate to secure funding through the RAPIDS program, it gives students more opportunities to succeed while strengthening regional businesses and Ohio’s economy. It’s a win-win,” Carey said.

Publication 12/26/18

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