The Ohio Technical Skills Innovation Network, or Ohio TechNet (OTN), is a statewide consortium of over 40 community colleges, universities, and technical centers that accelerate innovation to meet manufacturing and tech workforce needs. Facilitated by Lorain County Community College, OTN’s strategic areas of focus include reaching new audiences, expanding innovative earn and learn opportunities, engaging industry partners, supporting faculty development, and strengthening K-12 talent pathways.  

Ohio TechNet invites you to join us this Tuesday, January 20th at 8:30 AM for an exciting session of peer-to-peer collaboration, access to valuable resources, and innovative program models designed to accelerate growth in Ohio's manufacturing and technical workforce.

Learn more about the following in this month's meeting:

Recognition Robotics: Driving Innovation & Workforce Development

Join us for an engaging session with Recognition Robotics, a leading industry partner revolutionizing automation and robotics. In this presentation, they will:

• Provide an overview of their cutting-edge products and technologies.
• Share their vision for contributing to workforce development.
• Highlight how industry partnerships bring capacity, resources, and best practices to Ohio TechNet education members.

Industry partners like Recognition Robotics play a critical role in shaping Ohio TechNet’s efforts to build a pipeline of highly skilled talent tailored to meet evolving workforce needs. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how collaboration between education and industry is driving innovation and preparing Ohio’s workforce for the future.

Brad Conrad (National Institute of Standards and Technology -NIST), Workforce Development Manager from the Office of Advanced Manufacturing, will share a brief overview of the connections between CTE, America Makes, and ARM, highlighting how these partnerships strengthen pathways from education to in-demand careers.

Important Update: Ohio TechNet Monthly Meetings are now hosted on Microsoft Teams. A new invitation has been sent for November and all future meetings. Contact us to have the meeting series added to your calendar. 

Click Here to join us.

MS Teams Meeting ID: 260 407 490 160 85

MS Teams Passcode: tP27xk3n

Last Fall a request for proposal was issued by the SEMI Foundation for organizations interested in hosting regional nodes under the national NNME Hub, managed by SEMI Foundation.

To meet the needs of this growing industry in the Midwest, a proposal for a 7-state Midwest regional node was submitted to the SEMI Foundation on December 21st. Co-led by Lorain County Community College on behalf of Ohio TechNet, The Ohio State University, Columbus State Community College, Ivy Tech Community College, and our partners at the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium (MMEC), and with strategic partners including the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, the Ohio Workforce Association and others, this initiative demonstrates plans to have rapid and sustainable impact on meeting the talent needs of industry with an initial one year, $5M investment across OH, IN, IL, PA, MI, KY, and WI. Over 120 partners are involved in this initial effort, a number that will continue to grow.

In Ohio, we are grateful for the support of Intel, JobsOhio and many other industry, education and workforce partners. In Year 1, the initiative aims to add additional partners, reach 14,000+ students, award 5,000+ industry-recognized credentials, and build a sustainable ecosystem to advance semiconductor workforce development. The National Network of Microelectronics Education has strong alignment to help us advance Ohio TechNet’s Strategic Focus Areas and Ohio’s Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint by strengthening workforce development, expanding industry partnerships, and aligning education and training pathways with regional employer needs.

We are deeply grateful to all who contributed and invite everyone to stay involved and collaborate as this work moves forward. Regardless of who SEMI Foundation chooses to lead regional NNME nodes, we will be paying close attention and sharing with all of our Ohio TechNet partners opportunities for you, your students and your industry partners to benefit.



If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact us to learn how you can contribute to this exciting initiative.

Supplier Innovation Summit 

Manufacturing Works invites suppliers to connect with Parker Aerospace, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, and other industry partners at the Supplier Innovation Summit, held February 12th at Lorain County Community College. Learn where real opportunities are emerging, how to stay competitive, and how workforce strategy ties to supplier growth. Engage with OEMs, manufacturers, and peers in aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

See the agenda and save your seat!

Ohio TechNet is excited to welcome three new additions to our network, supporting our Strengthening Community College Round 5 projects:

• Michelle Prager, Program Developer, Lorain County Community College
• Tonisha Glover, Earn & Learn Manager, Cuyahoga Community College
• Taylor Tucker, Earn & Learn Success Coach, Owens Community College

We’re thrilled to have them on board as we continue to strengthen workforce pathways, expand industry partnerships, and grow earn-and-learn opportunities across Ohio!

Microelectronics Grad Bill MacKeigan Retires from RBB


Congratulations to Bill MacKeigan, LCCC Microelectronic Manufacturing graduate and earn and learn student, on retiring from RBB! His journey from career-focused training to a full-time role in microelectronics highlights how innovative earn and learn programs connect education, industry experience, and in-demand careers. Bill was one of the first earn and learn students in Ohio TechNet's DOL TAACCT grant in 2016. (Photo courtesy of RBB | LinkedIn) Read more

Ohio's Manufacturing Talent Partnership

Missed a Meeting or Past Newsletter? 

Access recent meetings and newsletters on Ohio TechNet's website.

We’re always looking to highlight podcasts, success stories, new team members, upcoming events, and requests for collaboration or support related to workforce development, manufacturing, and connected industries. If it’s helping move pathways, partnerships, or learners forward, we’d love to feature it in an upcoming Ohio TechNet newsletter. Submit items via email to: ohiotechnet@lorainccc.edu

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Got something to share in the newsletter? Email us at ohiotechnet@lorainccc.edu!