Training students to meet the needs
of area employers and grow the local economy is part of Central Ohio Technical
College’s mission. That’s why COTC’s Workforce Development Innovation
Center jumped at the chance to be part of a collaborative effort with Columbus
State Community College and Marion Technical College to meet the current and
future talent needs of growing, emerging and high-demand industries in our
region. The state Controlling Board recently awarded $1 million in capital
funds to the effort through an Ohio Department of Higher Education request
related to the department’s Regionally Aligned Priorities in Delivering Skills
(RAPIDS) program.
“Upon learning of the
opportunity for the RAPIDS grant opportunity through the Ohio Department of
Higher Education and realizing the increasing need for qualified technicians in
regional manufacturing companies due to elevated production demands, it was
natural for the Workforce Development Innovation Center at COTC to pursue such
funding in an effort to address the skills gap and to maximize the learning
opportunity for our current Engineering Technology students,” said Workforce
Development Innovation Center Director Vicki Maple.
The collaborative will focus on
manufacturing occupation education and training for entry to mid-level
positions. Included is funding for equipment that will be housed at the Career
and Technology Education Centers (C-TEC) of Licking County. The collaborative
also includes several business partners and economic development groups,
including Columbus 2020.
“Our focus was on creating a sustainable
education pipeline that would lead to high-demand manufacturing technology
positions,” said Maple. “Initiatives such as this are critical because there is
simply not a sufficient pipeline of skilled workers in this industry to meet
the current demands nor those of the future, so we must attract, train, and
retain a qualified workforce; all the while, creating a mechanism to keep
dialogue and collaboration efforts alive between industry, education, and
workforce.”
The collaborative was one of two
regional awards. The RAPIDS program was launched in 2014; these are the first
of the regional awards. Other regions will be funded as those collaborative
strategic plans are submitted.
“We understand that appropriately trained
workers are the gateway to continued growth; therefore, this grant will provide
necessary equipment and technology, training students with such competencies to
fill jobs with these industry partners in the immediate future,” said Maple.
“In the long run, the pipeline will continue to connect individuals to
high-demand manufacturing positions, and ultimately the success of this program
will attract more students, creating a positive economic impact.”
