Cincinnati-based nonprofit organization Partnership for Innovation in Education announced its receipt of $250,000 from Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted, director of the governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, as one of 26 Industry Sector Partnerships throughout the state. With an additional community funding match of $125,000, PIE received a total of $375,000 in funding supporting collaborations bringing Ohioans into the workforce pipeline while meeting the needs of job creators and the local economy.
The award focuses on developing an electric vehicle, advanced mobility and automotive K-12 tool kit programming for Ohio’s 1.6M students with authentic in-classroom and afterschool curriculum, immersive learning, hands-on career-based activities, educator professional development, industry-recognized credentialing and programs prequalifying Ohio students for multiple in-demand industry sectors, including advanced manufacturing, transportation, and aerospace.
Lt. Governor Husted said, “It’s important that we encourage collaboration throughout communities so we can train our students with the skills businesses in their regions need and expose them to opportunities available in their own backyards.”
Industry Sector Partnerships are designed to develop regional workforce strategies, with the goal of driving collaboration between local businesses, education and training providers, and community stakeholders. These grants support the operations of both new and existing Industry Sector Partnerships around Ohio.
Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development said, “Not only are we strengthening the bridge between education and employment, but we’re empowering communities to cultivate strategies that will ensure a skilled workforce for generations to come.”
Ohio invested $12.5 million in Industry Sector Partnerships since 2020. The first three rounds of the Industry Sector Partnership Grant program awarded 27 partnerships a total of $7.5 million.
PIE CEO Mary Welsh Schlueter said, “We are incredibly honored and excited to receive this funding award. The automotive, advanced mobility and electric vehicle tool kits will offer workforce learning that can be similarly woven into K-12 academic and career tech classrooms, including afterschool and summer programming. We are excited to continue to provide transformational and immersive learning opportunities to students where they can become prequalified in high school for technician and operator jobs in Ohio spanning electric vehicle design, energy sustainability, vertiport and EV charging station construction, EV battery manufacturing, unmanned vehicle production, ground drone pilot certification, and advanced manufacturing in transportation industries.”
Established in 2009 and headquartered in Cincinnati, Partnership for Innovation in Education develops transformational educational and industry skill certification tools preparing the 21st century workforce for success in the global marketplace.
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