The Ohio Technical Skills Innovation Network, or Ohio TechNet (OTN), is a statewide consortium of 45+ community colleges, universities, & technical centers that accelerate innovation to meet manufacturing & tech workforce needs. OTN’s strategic areas of focus include expanding innovative earn & learn opportunities, engaging industry partners, supporting faculty & educator development, reaching new audiences, & strengthening K-12 talent pathways.  

Ohio TechNet invites you to join us on Tuesday, October 20, at 8:30 AM

All are welcome to join Ohio TechNet’s monthly virtual meetings. Connect with education, industry, and workforce professionals, hear updates from across the consortium, and engage in conversations focused on strengthening Ohio’s talent pipeline. Contact us to have the meeting series added to your calendar.

Joining us this month are Madeline (Maddie) Frantz, Director of Employer Engagement at Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP), and Chris Picha, Managing Veterans Workforce Consultant with the Ohio Department of Veterans Services. We will also welcome Ohio Northern University (ONU) as our newest OTN member!

Maddie will share findings from Greater Cleveland Partnership’s summer research on AI adoption among college interns. The discussion will explore how employers and students are experiencing the growing use of AI in the workplace and what these findings may mean for workforce and talent development.

Chris will provide an overview of veteran hiring, including finding, interviewing, and retaining veterans in the workplace. He’ll also share insights into military structure and culture, with opportunities for participants to interact and ask questions throughout the discussion. This presentation offers 1 SHRM professional development credit (PDC).



Looking ahead

November 17 | OTN Monthly Meeting

Samantha Trzinski, Director of Education Outreach & Workforce Development at the College of Engineering NSF HAMMER-ERC will highlight upcoming METAL training opportunities at The Ohio State University, including hands-on bootcamps focused on forging, metallurgy, Industry 4.0 technologies, and digital simulation. We’ll share more about these opportunities later in the newsletter.

September OTN Meeting Recap

At our September meeting, we welcomed Cassie Palsgrove of Ohio Excels to share updates on Ohio’s K–12 industry-recognized credential requirements and opportunities to strengthen connections between education and industry.

Cassie shared several resources, including the Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education Bundle Board. Additional resources from the meeting are available in the presentation slides on OhioTechNet.org.

We thank Cassie for joining us and sharing her insights and resources with the Ohio TechNet network!

Experiential Learning

Ohio TechNet and the Ohio Association of Community Colleges continue the Experiential Learning Webinar Series focused on strengthening hands-on learning and workforce alignment.

Upcoming Webinar:

November 18, 2026 | Making Experiential Learning Count: Data, Insights, and Outcomes that Matter

Learn how institutions are capturing meaningful experiential learning data and turning it into actionable insights. Participants will discover tools, metrics, and reporting strategies that help showcase student outcomes and support statewide workforce and education goals.

Missed a session? Access past slides and recordings at OhioTechNet.org.

The OACC Success Center invites faculty, staff, administrators, and higher education professionals to participate in a six-part webinar series focused on practical strategies for strengthening teaching and learning.

Sessions will explore innovative instructional approaches, emerging technology, and actionable strategies faculty can apply in the classroom. We encourage you to attend any or all sessions you can.

Series Overview



• October 16, 2026 | 12:00 PM — Project-Based Learning
• November 20, 2026 | 12:00 PM — AI in the Classroom
• January 22, 2027 | 12:00 PM — Assessment of Student Learning
• February 24, 2027 | 10:30 AM — Ethical Use of AI
• April 16, 2027 | 12:00 PM — AI and Learning Management Systems

Coming soon: Presentation slides and recordings from the sessions will be available through the OER Commons curated collection.

The HAMMER Engineering Research Center and METAL program are offering free, hands-on training opportunities at The Ohio State University focused on forging, metallurgy, Industry 4.0 technologies, and digital simulation for the forging industry.

All trainings are free of charge and run 8am to 5pm at The Ohio State University!

Upcoming Training:

• October 13–16, 2026 | METAL Forging Bootcamp

Gain hands-on experience in metallurgy, forging processes and presses, and Industry 4.0 technologies during this four-day bootcamp provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation HAMMER Engineering Research Center and the Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL) program. 

AdditionalTrainings:

• December 10–11, 2026 | METAL Digital Simulation Bootcamp

Gain hands-on experience in finite element modeling (FEM) and finite element analysis (FEA) and their applications for the forging industry during this two-day bootcamp provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation HAMMER Engineering Research Center and the Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL) program. 

• December 14–17, 2026 | METAL Forging Bootcamp

Gain hands-on experience in metallurgy, forging processes and presses, and Industry 4.0 technologies during this four-day bootcamp provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation HAMMER Engineering Research Center and the Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL) program. 

Stark State College Awarded $2.35 Million NSF Advanced Manufacturing Grant

Stark State College was recently awarded a $2.35 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to support advanced manufacturing education and workforce development. Lorain County Community College (LCCC), Owens Community College, and the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) are partners on the project, bringing together Ohio institutions to strengthen pathways and opportunities in advanced manufacturing.

Read more about the NSF-funded project!

INTEL SEPP Program | 2027

We’re excited to continue our partnership with Intel through the Semiconductor Education and Pathways Program (SEPP), Intel’s new initiative supporting education and workforce development pathways into semiconductor careers. We recently learned that our 2027 proposal has been selected for funding, pending receipt of the official award notification. We look forward to continuing this work with Intel and building on our partnership to expand opportunities in advanced manufacturing and semiconductor careers.

Learn more about Intel’s Semiconductor Education and Pathways Program

Ohio TechNet Defense Industrial Base STEM Consortium ​

Participation in the OTN Defense Industrial Base STEM Think Tank is open to any Ohio TechNet member institution or strategic partner.

The Think Tank brings partners together to align with defense and manufacturing workforce priorities, help shape consortium strategies and curricula, assess regional assets and opportunities, and share innovative practices and high-impact models.

Interested in participating?

Scan the QR code for meeting information and to join the Think Tank.

Learn more about this project, and its impact to date in the Executive Summary!

Free Robotics & Automation Training Opportunities

The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) and Mahoning County Career & Technical Center (MCCTC) are offering free robotics and automation courses to eligible adult Ohio residents through Ohio’s Individual Microcredential Assistance Program (IMAP).

The courses are designed for students, educators, supervisors, managers, current workers, and businesses interested in robotics and automation. Available topics include industrial robotics, automation ROI, and robot safety, with additional courses coming soon. Learners who complete the requirements and pass the end-of-course test earn an A3 micro-credential certificate and Credly digital badge.

Learn more about eligibility, available courses, and registration at Automate.org.

Opportunities in Tech Student Success Spotlight:

Lorain County Community College

A Lorain County Community College Data Analytics student gained valuable hands-on experience through a 150-hour internship with LCCC’s Tutoring Services Department. As part of the work-based learning experience, the student collaborated with department staff and Institutional Research to analyze data, identify service usage trends, and explore opportunities to better support student needs.

Using descriptive and predictive analytics, the student developed insights that were shared with the Careers by Design committee and campus stakeholders. The project demonstrated the value of applying classroom knowledge to real-world challenges while providing meaningful data to help inform future improvements to student services.

The project demonstrates the value of work-based learning for both students and institutions: students gain the opportunity to apply their skills to real challenges, while colleges benefit from fresh perspectives and data-driven insights that can inform their work.

 Stay engaged with upcoming events supporting advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity readiness, and innovative instruction across our network!

October 2026:

🔹 2026 NCWE Annual Conference | October 20–22, 2026

The National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE) Annual Conference will bring together community college, workforce, and industry leaders in Palm Springs, California, to share ideas and strategies for advancing workforce education, strengthening partnerships, and expanding career pathways. 

New Growth Group will present alongside the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) and the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) as part of this year’s conference. Learn more!

November 2026:

🔹 2026 Cincinnati Internship Excellence Lab | November 3, 2026

The Internship Excellence Lab at Cincinnati State Community College in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a hands-on learning experience for employers looking to strengthen internship programs and develop future talent. The program provides practical strategies, tools, and research to help organizations create meaningful internship experiences that support both students and employers. Designed for HR professionals, recruiters, internship coordinators, supervisors, managers, and others who develop or support internship programs. SHRM credit: 6 PDCs.

🔹 ARM Institute 10th Annual Member Meeting | November 17–19, 2026

Join industry, government, and academic partners for the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute’s annual member gathering in Pittsburgh. This 2.5-day event will feature project updates, keynote sessions, breakout discussions, and networking opportunities focused on robotics, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development across the ARM ecosystem. Organizations may benefit from joining ARM to access collaborative project opportunities, connect with a national network of robotics and advanced manufacturing partners, and engage in initiatives that help accelerate technology adoption and workforce innovation across industry sectors.

January 2027:

🔹 2027 AACC Workforce Development Institute | January 26–29, 2027

The AACC Workforce Development Institute in San Diego, California, brings together community college workforce leaders and partners to share strategies, best practices, and innovative approaches to workforce development.

Save the Date

🔹 2027 OMA Workforce Summit | April 14, 2027

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) will host its ninth annual Workforce Summit, bringing together manufacturers, education and training providers, workforce partners, and state leaders to discuss strategies and partnerships shaping Ohio’s manufacturing workforce.

Additional details, including registration and agenda information, will be announced in the coming months.

Want your event included in a future Ohio TechNet newsletter? Submit details to ohiotechnet@lorainccc.edu for consideration.

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

Ohio TechNet | www.ohiotechnet.org | Contact Us

Have news or updates to share? Send it our way: ohiotechnet@lorainccc.edu