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. 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 on Tuesday, April 21, at 8:30 AM

Aaron Burdette, University of Cincinnati

Assistant Professor of Practice | Department of Biomedical Engineering

Co-Director, Medical Device Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program

Faculty Director, Workforce Development and Continuing Education

The University of Cincinnati (UC) will provide updates on key workforce development initiatives aimed at strengthening Ohio’s talent pipeline. The presentation will cover recent enhancements to UC’s co-op program, efforts to align and expand Registered Apprenticeship pathways, and the continued expansion of UC Skills as a flexible, industry-driven learning platform. UC will also highlight custom employer-partnered training programs designed to meet specific workforce needs and support upskilling across the region.

Important Update: Ohio TechNet Monthly Meetings are now hosted on Microsoft Teams. An updated invitation has been sent for all 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

Leaders from industry, education, and workforce development across seven Midwest states recently convened to advance regional readiness for the nation’s growing semiconductor industry. More than 65 organizations participated in the April 9th convening, highlighting strong multistate momentum behind a proposed Midwest Regional Node for the SEMI Foundation’s National Network for Microelectronics Education (NNME). With over 120 partners already engaged and plans for rapid workforce impact underway, this work represents a significant step forward for the region.

Read more about the convening, the proposal, and what’s next here: Midwest NNME Partner Convening

Northshore Manufacturing Workforce Partnership:

Connecting Students to Careers, Industry Day at Tri-C

Supported by a grant from the USDOL SCC Round 5

Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) recently hosted an Industry Day at its Advanced Technology Training Center, bringing together employers and current and prospective students for meaningful career exploration in advanced manufacturing and engineering technology. This event was supported by the Northshore Manufacturing Workforce Partnership, with funding from a Strengthening Community Colleges round 5 grant.

Designed as a tradeshow-style experience, the event gave students direct access to employers, along with insights into career pathways through a featured panel discussion, “A Day in the Life: The Technician vs. The Technologist.” Employer panelists shared real-world perspectives on the day-to-day differences between technical and engineering roles—helping students better understand where they fit in the industry.

The impact was immediate: two SCC5 students enrolled in Tri-C’s Smart Manufacturing program interviewed with a participating employer and accepted job offers following the event.

This effort highlights how Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) is connecting education and industry in ways that lead to real outcomes. By partnering directly with employers, Tri-C is accelerating pathways from training to employment and strengthening regional talent pipelines aligned with industry demand.

Photos courtesy of Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C).

Visit our website for the latest updates as this project continues to move forward.

You are invited to register for one or all of the five remaining sessions to explore strategies, insights, and best practices that support impactful, hands-on learning opportunities. Join us to connect with peers, gain valuable knowledge, and enhance your approach to experiential education. The Ohio Association of Community Colleges and Ohio TechNet host the webinar series.

Who Should Attend? Faculty, staff, administrators, and partners interested in enhancing experiential learning opportunities and aligning education with workforce needs.

Upcoming Webinars:



• Designing Earn and Learn Programs - May 28, 2026
• Building Industry Partnerships - July 22, 2026
• Innovative Approaches: Micro-Internships and Project-Based Learning - September 30, 2026
• Leveraging Simulations and Virtual Labs - November 18, 2026
• Recap & Launch of the Updated Experiential Learning Replication Guide - December 9, 2026

Catch up on the first webinar, "Foundations of Experiential Learning" - slides and recording are available on Ohio TechNet's website, found here.

Listen to Ohio TechNet's Director, Terri Sandu, on the latest Design World's podcast 'Securing the engineering workforce through partnerships'.

Most industries face a critical talent shortage in engineering, but what if the real problem isn’t just quantity — it's quality and connection?

In this eye-opening episode, Rachael Pasini sits down with Terri Sandu, a leading force behind Ohio’s innovative workforce initiatives, to reveal how industry and education can work smarter to fill these gaps. Discover how real partnerships, strategic funding, and targeted training are transforming the future of engineering talent today.

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

April 2026

🔹 SEMIEXPO Heartland | April 29–30, 2026

This event convenes automotive and semiconductor leaders to explore emerging mobility and manufacturing technologies. Lorain County Community College will present and share insights on innovative solutions and workforce strategies shaping the future of the industry.

May 2026

🔹 SME Fusion | May 5–6, 2026

You're invited to the industry's premier event focusing on manufacturing training and workforce development. At SME FUSION 2026, speakers will share actionable insights and strategies to fill the workforce pipeline, efficiently onboard and train new hires, upskill existing talent, or transfer institutional knowledge. 

Terri Sandu from Ohio TechNet will join a panel highlighting Ohio’s innovations with the Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Partnership, alongside colleagues Lauren Massie from the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, Shawn Hendrix from JobsOhio, and Kyle Fulton from Central Ohio Manufacturing Partnership. 

🔹 OCEA 2026 | May 13–15, 2026

This annual conference convenes educators, employers, and workforce innovators to explore experiential learning, cooperative education, and internships that prepare Ohio students for meaningful careers while strengthening the state’s talent pipeline.

June 2026:

🔹 2026 Dayton Digital Transformation Summit | June 8–10, 2026

This summit, hosted at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, brings together more than 500 leaders, researchers, and innovators from industry, government, and academia to explore advancements in engineering, manufacturing, defense, AI, cyber-physical systems, and next-generation technologies, including Advanced Air Mobility and Unmanned Aerial Systems.

🔹MEW Workshop | June 15–18, 2026

This hands-on workshop allows participants to build their own open-source melt electrowriting (MEW) platform while learning the principles and possibilities of this emerging technology. Registration is open through March 31, 2026 (extensions available). Fees range from $2,550–$5,450 and include materials, housing, and meals.

July 2026:

🔹 Summer Workshop Opportunity for Educators – Advanced Metalworking

An in-depth professional development experience for educators looking to expand advanced manufacturing knowledge and skills.

Ohio TechNet members are encouraged to apply for a national Work-Based Learning (WBL) Capacity-Building Cohort led by New America and Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). This opportunity will support six community colleges in expanding employer-connected learning opportunities through a structured self-study and strategic planning process.

Selected colleges will receive $20,000, along with technical assistance and peer learning from June 2026 to December 2027.

Key Dates:

• Application Deadline: May 8, 2026

Learn more and apply here!

Ohio’s aerospace and defense industry is creating strong career opportunities across the state—and connecting talent to these roles is key to sustaining that growth.

An upcoming Career Summit, led by FindYourOhio, will bring together employers and skilled professionals to explore pathways into Ohio’s growing aerospace and defense sectors.

Ohio TechNet continues to support this work by aligning education, training, and industry needs. Through initiatives like the Ohio TechNet Defense Industrial Base STEM Consortium, supported by DoD STEM, partners are building the workforce needed to support Ohio’s defense manufacturing base now and into the future.

Read more in the Executive Summary.

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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