Clark State College receives grant from Ohio Department of Higher Education
The grant will support career training in engineering, robotics, and industrial technology.
Clark State College has received a $180,871 Regionally Aligned Priorities in Delivering Skills grant from the Ohio Department of Higher Education. The grant will allow the college to enhance its career training programs for engineering, robotics, and industrial technology through technology upgrades and acquisitions.
According to an article on Clark State College’s website, Adam Parrillo, who serves as the dean of business and applied technologies, was quoted as saying, “The success of our technical programs depends on ongoing collaboration with industry. Every piece of equipment in this project was chosen based on employer feedback and labor market needs. Clark State’s continued investment in equipment, collaborative learning spaces and workforce-aligned curriculum ensures that students are not only well-educated, but also equipped with the skills and experiences employers value most. These upgrades will be leveraged across multiple academic programs and will play a vital role in fast-track training opportunities designed to meet the needs of both new learners and incumbent workers seeking upskilling. We’re not just teaching theory—we’re replicating real-world scenarios so that when students step into their first job, they’re already ahead of the curve.”
Among the equipment that will be purchased for the college’s career training programs is a metrology table workbench, a Titan 25T CNC Press Brake, and Fanuc Certification mobile carts. The metrology table workbench will benefit the robotic technical certificate and workforce development programs. The Titan 25T CNC Press Brake will benefit the training the school offers in CNC programming, CAD, welding, and industrial maintenance.
Additionally, the school will be able to create Zoom room collaborative engineering and robotics classrooms. These classrooms will allow students to work in a simulated cooperative work environment and will be enhanced with live data, 3D models, and simulation software.
Parillo said, “These additions will significantly enhance the student experience by providing hands-on learning with technologies that mirror those used in today’s most advanced production facilities. This RAPIDS grant allows us to expand our capabilities and respond to the direct needs of local industry, ensuring our graduates are workforce-ready from day one.” He added, “This equipment gives our students access to the same technology used by regional manufacturers. Whether they’re learning robotic programming or press brake operations, they’re developing the exact skills our employers need.”
For more information about Clark State College, visit the school’s website.