Ohio Grants $675K to Promote Career-Tech Education at YSU
Lauren McNally, an Ohio state representative, has announced nearly $675,000 in grants to Youngstown State University (YSU) to support career-technical education.
The money is part of a broader state initiative via the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, aimed at expanding “career-connected learning opportunities and career planning support” for students across Ohio.
The things is, the grants will help YSU build what’s called a Career Pathway Support Network in Ohio’s eastern region. The idea is for schools, employers and community leaders to work together so students can more easily transition into meaningful jobs after high school.
A major change is happening on October 1, 2025. Ohio’s existing Tech Prep Regional Centers will transition into the new Career Pathway Support Networks. At the same time, a seventh region will be added to align with statewide updates via JobsOhio.
In all, the state is investing about $7.1 million in this program, expanding access to career-tech education, pushing into middle schools and making sure students receive quality career advice and mentoring.
What this really means: Students in the Youngstown region and beyond will have more structured support linking what they learn in school to real jobs. Schools and local businesses will have more reason and resources to coordinate. For the region, that could mean stronger alignment between education and workforce needs.
YSU took this as an opportunity to broaden its involvement in the development of the local workforce. With this subsidy, the university could evolve into a central station for technical education coordination, employer-interactions and student-access.
To summarize the situation: Ohio is deepening its commitment to career-tech education by providing money for networks that connect schools and workplaces, and YSU is the focal point of that in the east region.