Youngstown State University receives over $650,000 grant for career pathway support
YOUNGSTOWN Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen Dackin announced the recipients of the Career Pathway Support Network Grant in a news release on Friday.
The grant is a $7.1 million investment aiming to bring career-connected opportunities to more students throughout the state.
Youngstown State University (YSU) received a portion of the grant, totaling $674,978.13.
"Our continued support of expanding career-technical education and career planning for our students is an investment in Ohio's future," said Governor DeWine.
Governor DeWine continued," By creating Career Pathway Support Networks, more students will be able to access the in-demand skills and experiences they need to be successful after high school and reach their full potential."
The grant funding aims to establish Career Pathway Support Networks in place of Tech Prep Regional Centers.
The Career Pathway Support Networks would build on the foundation of Tech Prep Regional Centers, but aims to take a broader approach by:
- Increasing access and participation in career-technical education for students in seventh grade through the tenth grade
- Ensuring students receive advising and mentoring
- Aligning more closely with regional workforce needs through partnerships between schools, higher education institutes and employers
According to the release, over 141,000 students in Ohio participated in at least one career-technical education course during the 2023-2024 school year.
"As more businesses move into Ohio and grow here, we have an incredible number of opportunities coming our way. We need to make sure our next generation is ready to take advantage of these opportunities," said Lt. Governor Tressel.
Lt. Governor Tressel continued," Establishing these Career Pathway Support Networks will help us keep building on our work alongside local partners to strengthen Ohio's future workforce and meet the unique needs of employers in each region of the state."
