BELOIT, Ohio - The Mahoning County Commissioners are helping kickstart the West Branch School’s plans to expand the district’s program offering training for skills needed in the construction industry.

Commissioners have awarded $100,000 to enhance programs for educational and workforce training in the system.

According to a news release from the district, the funds will be used to make space for new equipment to be used in the wood shop classroom.

West Branch officials say the project will permit an increase in the number of students and adult residents with access to in-demand job training and upskilling programming related to high-demand construction and related skilled trades occupations in the Mahoning Valley.

The training is focused on preparing the talent pipeline and upskilling adult Mahoning County residents, with emphasis on those who have been measurably impacted and experiencing educational accessibility and economic disparities or hardships resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the district’s news release.

The $100,000 does not cover the entire cost of the project.