Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio receives $150K grant for program

CANFIELD — The Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio received $150,000 in grant funding to expand pre-apprenticeships and alternative graduation pathways for its districts.

Career counselors from the Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio (formerly Mahoning County Educational Service Center), participating districts, Ohio Carpenters' Apprenticeship Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee and The Builders Association of Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania will be collaborating to offer the pre-apprenticeship.

Ten local school districts have partnered with the group to offer the building trades pre-apprenticeship in the 2021-22 school year, including Austintown, Boardman, Brookfield, Canfield, East Palestine, Sebring, Springfield, United, Warren and West Branch.

"This program will enable students to enter into a high-paying career with no college debt," Gary Hartman, association services director for The Builders Association, said in a news release. The Builders Association has helped develop the program for the local districts.

Students completing the new pre-apprenticeship program will receive certificates for completion of carpentry projects at various skill levels, math for the trades and trades-related career exploration, as well as a carpenters pre-apprenticeship certificate. The program allows students to learn valuable job skills while remaining in their home school district. Students can earn up to 24 industry-recognized credential points and complete a pre-apprenticeship program while attending remotely, hybrid or in person.

"This is a great opportunity for students to gain valuable, in-demand skills," Robert Eggleston, lead career counselor at the Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio, said. "The job market for skilled trades is strong, and this program will let students leave high school with an edge on entering the workforce."

Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio's award was one of 11 grants awarded in the state through the RemotEDx initiative funded through CARES Act funds.

"We are grateful for the support of our state legislators in the award of this grant and for the partnerships that have been established through the ESC's highly impactful Business Advisory Council," Traci Hostetler, ESCEO superintendent, said.

This story was originally published April 10, 2021 at 8:29 AM with the headline "Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio receives $150K grant for program."