Ohio Representative Lauren McNally announced almost $675,000 in Career Pathway Support Grants for Youngstown State University (YSU) on Monday as a part of a Department of Education and Workforce campaign.

The campaign is focused on supporting career-connected learning opportunities and career planning support for more students across the state. The grants are used to support career technical education by creating the Career Pathway Support Networks.

"Career tech education is a great pathway for people after they are done with high school. They are important skills and important jobs that we all rely on. I have full confidence in YSU's ability to establish the Career Pathway Support Network in the East Region," McNally said.

McNally hopes that these regional networks will bring together schools, employers, and community leaders to align education with workforce needs and expand opportunities for students.

Beginning Oct. 1, 2025, Ohio's Tech Prep Regional Centers will transition to Career Pathway Support Networks. This transition will coincide with the addition of a seventh region to align with updates made by JobsOhio.

The state will invest $7.1 million in this program and the expansion of opportunities in career technical education. Each Career Pathway Support Network will be guided by a regional steering committee and will focus on increasing access to and participation in middle school career-technical education and ensuring all students receive high-quality career advising and mentoring.