Tri-C To Celebrate Manufacturing Month in October
College will highlight future of high-tech industry with visits and outreach
In recognition of Ohio's vital role in the manufacturing sector and the future of high-tech industries, Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) will join in a statewide celebration of Manufacturing Month this October.
Through visits and outreach to students, high school counselors, employers and the community, the College will showcase degree and certificate training programs in the industry and the bright future for advanced manufacturing in Northeast Ohio.
Manufacturing Month spotlights Ohio's and the nation's manufacturing prowess and the critical need to prepare the next generation of skilled workers. The initiative was proclaimed by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and celebrated nationwide every year by manufacturing leaders.
The Ohio Manufacturers' Association estimates that manufacturing is the largest sector of Ohio's economy, accounting for 17% of the state's GDP and 700,000 workers. Cuyahoga County has the state's highest concentration of manufacturing employment, home to more than 1,600 companies employing nearly 70,000 workers. Recent high-tech investments across Ohio in semiconductors, electric vehicles (EV) and batteries, aerospace and defense, and solar panel production have positioned the state as a central player in forward-thinking technology and 21st-century manufacturing.
As these industries expand and companies adopt advanced manufacturing technologies, Tri-C has launched multiple programs to equip students with real-world skills that prepare them for the future of work:
- The College introduced its first bachelor's degree this fall, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Integrated Digital Manufacturing Engineering Technology (IDMET), often referred to as "smart manufacturing."
- Tri-C received a $658,000 grant from the Ohio Governor's Office of Workforce Transformation to launch a utility technician program and serve as the designated training location for the 16-county Northeast Ohio region.
- An online EV technician program began in the spring with flexible learning options to address the growing need for skilled technicians.
JobsOhio, the state's economic development entity, has identified the need for about 37,000 advanced technicians to fill the 21st-century manufacturing jobs coming online in the next few years. Community colleges help meet that goal — one in three students enrolled in post-secondary education in Ohio is a community college student.
"Ohio has a strong history of manufacturing strength, educational excellence and technological innovation," said Shana Marbury, J.D., executive vice president of Workforce, Community and Economic Development at Tri-C. "As our state embarks on an exciting new economic chapter, Manufacturing Month allows us to showcase the innovative opportunities in high-tech manufacturing and to connect our students with the local and state leaders who are driving this transformation."
From certificates in semiconductor technologies to associate degrees in smart manufacturing, Tri-C provides pathways for students to gain the skills needed to thrive in Ohio's evolving manufacturing landscape.
For more information, email sarah.baldwin@tri-c.edu.
Learn more about Tri-C’s manufacturing programs at www.tri-c.edu/manufacturing.
October 01, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT: Anthony Moujaes, 216-987-3068 or anthony.moujaes@tri-c.edu