The Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) has announced the allocation of $8 million in RAPIDS grants to fund state-of-the-art training equipment at various colleges and career centers across Ohio. This initiative aims to enhance job preparedness, as said in a press release dated April 1, 2025.
According to the announcement made by Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel, and ODHE Chancellor Mike Duffey, the new RAPIDS grants are intended to strengthen workforce training throughout Ohio's higher education institutions. The funding will enable public universities, community colleges, and technical training centers to acquire advanced equipment for programs in high-demand fields such as healthcare, information technology (IT), advanced manufacturing, industrial trades, and aviation maintenance. The program seeks to align training with regional workforce needs to boost job preparedness and economic growth.
In central Ohio, several institutions have been awarded grants. These include Central Ohio Technical College, Columbus State Community College, and North Central State College. Additional funding has been allocated to career centers like Knox County Career Center, Delaware Area Career Center, and Eastland-Fairfield Career Technical Schools. The specific awards are designed to support hands-on training in industrial trades, aviation maintenance, and healthcare sectors, thereby equipping students with essential skills for employment.
Governor DeWine said that "Our RAPIDS grants offer a unique opportunity for Ohio’s campuses and career technical centers to help address specific workforce needs at the local level." He added that "On an individual level, these grants give our students a tremendous opportunity to learn and refine their skills on the same top-of-the-line equipment being used by cutting-edge businesses across Ohio."
The Ohio Department of Higher Education is a state agency tasked with overseeing higher education in Ohio. Its responsibilities include approving degree programs, managing financial aid, and shaping policies aimed at enhancing education's impact. Since January 2024, Chancellor Mike Duffey has led the agency in collaboration with public universities, colleges, and workforce education centers to support affordability and economic growth while implementing the governor’s higher education initiatives.
