By Matthew Sotlar / The Jambar
In April, Youngstown State University received over $30,000 in funding from the Ohio Department of Higher Education through the Super Regionally Aligned Priorities and Delivering Skills Program as part of an $8.3 million statewide grant awarded to 39 universities, community colleges and career technical centers.
RAPIDS and Super RAPIDS serve to help prepare students entering the workforce with hands-on career training through facilities such as YSU’s Workforce Education and Innovation and Excellence Training Center.
In addition to YSU, the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center was granted over $126,000 in Super RAPIDS funding.
In a statement, WEI and ETC Executive Director Jackie Ruller said grants for RAPIDS will help provide equipment for the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
“Youngstown State University has received a RAPIDS 7 grant this year to support the purchase of welding equipment for its [College of STEM]. This grant aligns with the university’s recent approval from the state to offer a new associate degree in welding,” Ruller stated.
Through Super RAPIDS funding, YSU’s new welding program offers students the chance to be trained in welding processes, drafting and interpreting welding-specific blueprints. The program also teaches industry-standard safety techniques relevant to the workplace, among other topics.
Ruller stated that a portion of the grant will also go toward purchasing equipment for different technical centers in the area.
“In addition to strengthening YSU’s on-campus welding programs, a portion of the grant funding will also be used to purchase training equipment for partner institutions, including Choffin Career and Technical Center, Mahoning County Career and Technical Center and Columbiana County Career and Technical Center. This collaborative effort aims to expand access to training across the region, preparing students for in-demand careers in the skilled and medical trades,” Ruller stated.
In April 2024, the WEI received a $902,000 Super RAPIDS grant, along with an additional grant of over $126,000 for YSU’s 5G Readiness and Broadband training. In December 2023, over $902,000 of Super RAPIDS funding was granted to YSU, along with an additional grant of over $379,000 to Choffin.
The OHDE has seven desired outcomes from RAPIDS grants, such as supporting struggling regional industry sectors, building on regional strengths and fostering strategic local partnerships to encourage manufacturing.
Students interested in learning more about programs offered by ETC and WEI can visit the Excellence Training Center at Kohli Hall or ysu.edu/workforce.