Cuyahoga Community College celebrates Manufacturing Month in October

In recognition of Ohio's vital role in the manufacturing sector and the ongoing developments in high-tech industries, Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) has participated in a statewide celebration of Manufacturing Month throughout October.

This month, Tri-C has been actively engaging with students, high school counselors, employers, and the community to showcase its degree and certificate training programs in the manufacturing industry. The focus has been on the bright future for advanced manufacturing in Northeast Ohio.

Manufacturing Month has spotlighted Ohio's and the nation’s manufacturing capabilities, emphasizing the critical need to prepare the next generation of skilled workers. The initiative, proclaimed by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, has been celebrated nationwide by manufacturing leaders.

According to the Ohio Manufacturers' Association, manufacturing is the largest sector of Ohio's economy, accounting for 17% of the state’s GDP and employing approximately 700,000 workers. Cuyahoga County boasts the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the state, with more than 1,600 companies employing nearly 70,000 individuals. Recent high-tech investments in Ohio— focusing on semiconductors, electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, aerospace and defense, and solar panel production—have positioned the state as a key player in advanced technology and modern manufacturing.

As these industries expand and companies adopt advanced manufacturing technologies, Tri-C has launched several programs this month to equip students with the skills they need for the evolving job market:

• Tri-C introduced its first bachelor's degree this fall: a Bachelor of Applied Science in Integrated Digital Manufacturing Engineering Technology (IDMET), also known as "smart manufacturing."

• Tri-C received a $658,000 grant from the Ohio Governor's Office of Workforce Transformation to establish a utility technician program, serving as the designated training location for the 16-county Northeast Ohio region.

• An online EV technician program was launched in the spring, providing flexible learning options to meet the growing demand for skilled technicians.

JobsOhio, the state’s economic development entity, has highlighted the need for about 37,000 advanced technicians to fill upcoming 21st-century manufacturing positions. Community colleges play a vital role in meeting this demand, as one in three students enrolled in postsecondary education in Ohio attends a community college.

"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 has provided us with an opportunity to showcase the innovative prospects in high-tech manufacturing and connect our students with local and state leaders driving this transformation."

From certificates in semiconductor technologies to associate degrees in smart manufacturing, Tri-C continues to provide pathways for students to acquire the skills needed to thrive in Ohio's changing 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.