News Releases
Owens Machining Program Gives 11 Young Adults a Paid Path into Manufacturing 
Posted on July 28th, 2026
Preston Reasonover watches a machine during a Harbor Pre-Apprenticeship class at the Haas Machining Lab at the Dana Center.
Owens instructor Kevin Walker works with a Harbor Pre-Apprenticeship student in the Haas Machining Lab.
Preston Reasonover, left, and Carlos Nesbitt were among 11 students who completed the Harbor Pre-Apprenticeship class at Owens.This summer, 11 young adults made an investment in their future by attending the Harbor Pre-Apprenticeship Program at Owens Community College.
The students will receive their machining certification this week after finishing the eight-week course through the Owens Division of Workforce and Community Services. They were also involved in classes for basic math skills, electricity and soft skills such as professionalism, leadership and resume writing.
The students were selected by the Harbor Career Connections, a specialized employment program designed to help individuals find and keep meaningful work. Criteria for the program included being between 18 and 24 years old, availability and need, and a desire to learn about manufacturing and becoming employment ready.
“It’s all viable for my future because it’s teaching me new skills and you get hands-on experience,” student Carlos Nesbitt, of Toledo, said. “Having the hands-on learning has been great. I never used this machine before, but I just had to listen and watch.”
The students learned outcomes including how machining produces goods used in the manufacturing sector. The course covered machine types, tools and tooling, measuring equipment, machine safety and their application in industry.
Not only did the students receive vital work skills, they were paid during their pre-apprenticeship training, too. For student Preston Reasonover, of Toledo, it was a win-win.
“It’s teaching me skills that I need in my future career. Anything from trades to industrial work, it’s helping me,” Reasonover said.
“It’s a great learning experience, especially if you’re trying to move up in your career,” he added. “There were definitely new things I didn’t know about myself. It’s taught me a lot about myself. It taught me that I can do hard things.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 290,000 machinists are employed nationally with a median wage of just over $50,000 annually. The job outlook is solid, with around 34,200 job openings annually from worker turnover.
Owens Workforce has similar pre-apprenticeship program with Glass City Academy and training programs with Cherry Street Ministries, the Zepf Center and the Perrysburg Heights Association.
“Core to all we do in Workforce is a strong desire to reach everyone and introduce them to the manufacturing world while providing necessary job skills,” said Patrick Calvin, Director of Business and Program Development at Owens.
For Nesbitt, Reasonover and the rest of the cohort, the certification marks the start of a career path they can now pursue with employers across the region. Owens Workforce plans to continue expanding these partnerships in the months ahead, giving more young adults a paid route into skilled manufacturing careers.
Owens Launches Earn and Learn Program to Connect Students with Manufacturing Careers
Posted on June 25th, 2026
Owens Community College is launching a new pathway into advanced manufacturing careers, where students get paid to learn, graduate with hands-on experience and potentially walk into a full-time job offer when they’re finished.
The Earn and Learn program, a U.S. Department of Labor-funded workforce initiative set to launch this fall, places students directly into partner facilities while they’re still earning their degree. The program operates on a block schedule: students spend two days a week in Owens classrooms and labs, and three days a week working on the floor of a partner facility.
The result is a built-in apprenticeship that lets students apply what they’re learning in real time and collect a paycheck while doing it.
“Our goal isn’t just to help students cross the graduation line,” said Taylor Tucker, Earn and Learn success coach at Owens. “It’s to help them cross it with a resume full of real-world experience.”
Owens is one of five Ohio community colleges participating in the initiative as part of a grant led by Lorain County Community College, along with Terra State Community College, Cuyahoga Community College and North Central State College.
While the grant framework is shared, each college has latitude to shape its program to fit its community. Owens tailored its model with a deliberate ramp-up period: first-semester students are treated as full-time students, completing foundational safety training and coursework before transitioning to the three-days-on, two-days-in schedule in the spring.
“We’re not sending them out there completely unprepared,” Tucker said.
The program is focused on industrial and advanced manufacturing pathways, fields where demand for skilled workers is high and pipelines are thin. Current emphasis is on electrical engineering technology and welding, with other programs in development. Partner employers are being recruited from regional manufacturing, clean energy and high-tech facility sectors.
Tucker’s role as success coach is central to how the program works. She serves as the link between students and employer partners, monitoring academic performance, staying in contact with supervisors on the shop floor and helping students navigate the kind of real-world obstacles — financial strain, lack of equipment, unfamiliarity with the hiring process — that often derail people before they can finish.
To that end, Tucker has built a cash incentive structure into the program designed to reward progress and keep students on track. For instance, students can earn extra money for completing a mock interview and having their resume finalized through career services, securing a work-based learning placement and finishing a semester with a 3.0 GPA and a positive employer review. For students whose financial aid status makes cash incentives complicated, the program can instead provide tools and gear needed for their work placement.
The program is open to all enrolled Owens students, though Tucker said she is particularly focused on reaching veterans, women and individuals who have faced significant barriers to higher education, where the cost and complexity of college have historically put a degree out of reach.
“People like me know how hard it can be to get through college without going deep into debt or having someone to co-sign a loan,” Tucker said. “This gives students a real shot, not just to get into college, but to maybe graduate debt free and already have experience on the floor.”
For employers, the program offers something beyond a traditional hiring pipeline. Tucker describes her role as acting as an embedded resource for partner companies, vetting and connecting them with multi-skilled candidates who arrive ready to contribute.
“They no longer have to jump through the hoops of finding the right hire,” she said. “They can build a pipeline with the college and have that capacity building brought directly to them.”
Participation is voluntary and does not lock students into a contract, though students who want to access the incentive program are asked to check in with Tucker monthly.
Interested students should start by applying to Owens and visiting the Earn and Learn program page at owens.edu/earn-and-learn. Prospective employer partners can also reach out to Tucker directly through that page.
Twelve Students Graduate from Northwest Ohio Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Posted on November 21st, 2025
Twelve Glass City Academy students received their Northwest Ohio Pre-Apprenticeship Program certificates at a ceremony at Friday at the Owens Community College Dana Center for Advanced Manufacturing Training. The students also will earn their OSHA 10 certification and Ohio Means Jobs Readiness seal and complete the Lead 4 Change program.
The ceremony was held in the Dana Center’s Haas Machining Lab.
“These students are coming in with solid entry-level manufacturing skills, which gives them a real advantage in the northwest Ohio job market,” said Charlene Page, Owens executive director of Workforce and Economic Development. “Our goal is to grow machining talent right here in the region. A lot of young people don’t really know what machinists do, but these students have taken the first big step toward that career, and right now, local employers are actively looking for people with this kind of training.”
Program graduate Rhia’Na Smith and Owens manager of recruitment Troy Brown fill out an Owens admissions application before the ceremony.The students completed the 16-hour basic machining course at the Owens lab at Cherry Street Mission Ministries, learning many outcomes including how machining produces goods used in the manufacturing environment. The course covered machine types, tools and tooling, measuring equipment, machine safety and their application in industry.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, machinists in Toledo earn a median annual salary of approximately $57,000.
“It teaches you the basics of what you’re supposed to do, step-by-step, how to take care of it, how to make it,” said program graduate Rhia’Na Smith, who filled out an Owens admissions application before the ceremony. “It wasn’t overwhelming like I thought it would be. It was easy to keep in my mind, once I went slow and took my time and made sure I wasn’t hurting myself or others by being prepared.
“You get to meet some amazing people, you get to work together with people and make some friends along the way, and you can add something to your resume that can help you get better jobs with better pay.”
In addition to Page, speakers at the graduation included Glass City Academy interim director Jennifer Globig, Cherry Street Mission Ministries president and CEO Ann Ebert and Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce vice president for talent and workforce Sara Swisher.
This program was developed as a partnership between Owens, the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, Cherry Street Mission Ministries, Glass City Academy, Wood County OMJ/JFS and the Educational Service Center of Lake Erie West. Red Wing Boots in Maumee donated a pair of boots for each graduate.
Owens Welcomes Around 150 Students for Jill of All Trades
Posted on October 23rd, 2025
Owens Community College hosted around 150 students from nine local schools to the third annual Jill of All Trades event on Thursday, October 23, to learn about careers in the skilled trades.
“We’re excited to provide this opportunity for young people to explore the skilled trades. By partnering with Jill of All Trades, we’re proud to ignite curiosity, build confidence and educate young people about potential careers and all of the things they could do in their future,” said Dr. Dione D. Somerville, Owens president.
Jill of All Trades was started in 2014 in Canada, providing hands-on experiences to young people in grades 9-12 and introducing them to the possibilities of a career in skilled trades. Owens was the first institution in the United States to host the event.
Students were split into 12 groups, with each participating in three different workshops. Held at the Dana Center, Welding Design Center and Transportation Technology buildings on the Toledo-area campus, workshop topics included robotics, welding, CNC/machining, auto service and repair, crane rigging and diesel technology.
Students from Central Catholic High School, Clay High School, Horizon Science Academy, Jones Leadership Academy, Northview High School, Penta Career Center, Scott High School, Southview High School, Toledo Technology Academy and Whitmer High School participated in the 2025 event. Despite increased interest from area schools, this year’s event was capped with the number of participants to ensure the best experience and most interaction with mentors.
Over the three years of Jill of All Trades, Owens has welcomed more than 250 students from 13 local schools. In addition to the participating schools this year, students from Maumee Valley Country Day School, Perrysburg, Start and St. Ursula Academy have attended the event in the past.
“It’s been incredible to see our Jill of All Trades event grow and thrive over the past three years, and it wouldn’t be possible without the amazing partnerships we’ve built with our local schools. We’re truly honored by the trust they place in us and excited to help inspire and guide their students toward bright, bold futures in the skilled trades,” said Erin Kramer, Owens director of admissions.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are projected to be 20 job openings in the skilled trades for every new employee between 2022 and 2032. That’s an estimated 584,000 annual openings for skilled trades roles. Owens remains at the forefront of addressing the workforce needs of the future with its wide variety of programs, certificates and associate degrees.
Students began and ended their day at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, where program sponsors were set up with information about working in the trades.
For the first time, the Owens Community College Foundation sponsored a $1,000 scholarship for a student. The winner was Alayshia Mallett from Scott High School.
“The Owens Foundation is proud to support the dreams of our students, and this scholarship is a powerful example of that commitment. We’re honored to play a part in helping young people pursue their goals and build meaningful, successful careers in the skilled trades through an education at Owens,” said Kelle Pack, Owens vice president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of the Owens Foundation.
Sponsors of the event were presenting sponsor Owens Corning, Enbridge, Magna, Toledo Rotary Foundation, MCA of Northwest Ohio Women in Mechanical Industry, First Solar, Murphy Tractor & Equipment Company, Specialized Carriers & Rigging, City of Toledo, Advanced Technologies Consultants, Tarta, ACG of Northwest Ohio and The Andersons.
To learn more about the Owens School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, please visit owens.edu/stem.
To see more from Thursday’s event, go to owens.edu/jillofalltrades.
ODHE Rapids Grants Allows Owens to Expand PLC Training
Posted on October 9th, 2025
Responding to a need for people with programmable logic controller (PLC) technician experience in northwest Ohio, Owens Community College received a grant totaling more than $59,000 from the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) RAPIDS program to increase the student capacity in PLC classes by 50%.
The program prepares technicians and professionals with specialized training for regionally in-demand occupations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs associated with PLC technicians are expected to grow annually by 2% from 2024-2034, with an average of 8,400 open jobs per year. Pay for the jobs average approximately $71,000 in Ohio, according to glassdoor.com.
A PLC is an industrial computer that has been adapted for the control of manufacturing processes that require high reliability, ease of programming and fault diagnosis like assembly lines, machines and robotic devices.
The college’s current PLC classes are at maximum capacity at 12 students. The grant totaling $59,046.99 will ensure access for more students, instructors and space. Now, Owens has acquired the additional space and preparing the classrooms for multiple PLC courses as well as workforce training.
The school has purchased a Portable PLC Troubleshooting Learning System, Studio 5000 Mini PLC Programming Software and FactoryTalk View ME Programming Software.
“This grant will allow us to make our PLC classes and training more accessible to a great number of students, who will receive hands-on education to help fulfill an employment gap in the region,” said Dan Burklo, Owens dean for the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. “The purchase of the equipment and software will allow our students to not only learn about programmable logic controllers but to experience it firsthand.”
Owens offers two 16-week courses in basic PLC and advanced PLC. They’re part of various degree offerings in the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, including Advanced Manufacturing, Electrical/Electronics Engineering Technology, Building Maintenance, and Electrical, and certificates in Building Maintenance and Electrical. The course and degree offerings will focus on electrical, mechanical, CAD technology, applied engineering, machining, tool and die and HVAC.
The new equipment will also allow Owens Workforce and Community Services to offer more customizable trainings for community partners.
Students will enhance their skillset and improve their understanding of PLC functionality, develop troubleshooting skills and become more proficient in maintaining automation systems.
Occupations impacted by the addition of PLC courses and equipment include electrical and electronic technologists and technicians, maintenance and repair workers, robotics engineers, mechatronics engineers, and electricians and electrician helpers.
To learn more about the Owens School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, please visit owens.edu/stem.
To learn more about Owens Workforce and Community Services, please visit owens.edu/workforce_cs.
Owens Hosts Partner CHIP Institutions for Tour During Ohio In-Demand Jobs Week
Posted on May 7th, 2025
Owens Community College welcomed three partner institutions from the National Science Foundation Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) grant on Wednesday, May 7, as part of the Ohio In-Demand Jobs Week.
Representatives from Cuyahoga Community College and Youngstown State University in Ohio, and Madison Area Technical College in Wisconsin toured the Engineering Building and Dana Center, featuring Owens programs in the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Advanced Manufacturing, Skilled Trades and Workforce and Community Services.
Tuskegee University in Louisiana is also a member of the EPIIC grant but was unable to attend the tours.
The week also includes tours of Cuyahoga Community College and Youngstown State. It is the first collaboration meeting among the partners with the intent to see each of the schools and learn more about them.
The grant is titled Collaborations with High-Tech Industry Partners (CHIP). It aims to enhance capacity building by strengthening individuals, organizations and communities in research and education activities, focusing on new technologies and workforce development. The partner institutions will address challenges such as resource allocation and cultural differences.
The partners will engage in monthly meetings, enhancing advisory boards, reviewing funding opportunities and advancing tailored capacity building activities.
Owens Strengthens Regional Education Partnerships, Accelerates Pathways to Workforce Success with Penta and UToledo Collaborations
Posted on April 15th, 2025
Owens Community College has reinforced its role as a pivotal connector in the regional education ecosystem with a pair of Express agreements designed to streamline students’ pathways from high school through higher education and into the workforce. In collaboration with Penta Career Center and the University of Toledo (UToledo), Owens solidified separate agreements aimed at addressing the region’s workforce needs and supporting economic growth in northwest Ohio.
“At Owens, we are committed to providing students with the education they need to succeed,” said Dr. Dione D. Somerville, president of Owens Community College. “By partnering with Penta and the University of Toledo, we are ensuring that students have a clear, accessible pathway to higher education and meaningful careers, all while addressing the workforce needs that are so critical to the region’s economic growth. These agreements are a great example of how we can collaborate to make a tangible difference in the lives of our students and the broader community.”
Owens and Penta Career Center signed a new pathway agreement that allows high school students to start their college journey early, offering a seamless transition into higher education. The partnership offers guaranteed admission to Owens upon high school graduation, with qualifying students receiving a $1,000 scholarship plus the opportunity for additional scholarships.
“We are looking forward to the implementation of the Penta Express for our students, providing them with pathway options for post-secondary education at Owens Community College,” said Edward Ewers, superintendent of Penta Career Center. “This partnership is a perfect fit for many of our students who may benefit from additional support as they transition to college. Through priority admission and registration, access to scholarships, and dedicated support services, we believe the Penta Express creates valuable options for our students to pursue and achieve their goals in higher education.”
Additionally, Owens reaffirmed its long-standing partnership with the University of Toledo, extending a pathway agreement that was first established in 2017. Originally renewed in October 2022, the agreement enhances transfer opportunities, allowing Owens students guaranteed admission into bachelor’s programs at UToledo upon completing their associate degrees at Owens.
The renewed Rocket Express Admission Pathway is an evolution of the original agreement between the two institutions, and a reassertion of the commitment to working together for the betterment of the economy and workforce in northwest Ohio.
Since the inception of Rocket Express in 2017, a total of 7,559 students enrolled in the program. In the same timeframe, 4,932 Owens students transferred to UToledo. Nearly one-third of the Owens transfer students (1,522) were enrolled in Rocket Express.
“UToledo is proud of our longstanding partnership with Owens to provide this pathway to success that supports our region’s efforts to grow and retain talent right here at home,” UToledo Interim President Matt Schroeder said. “Higher education has always played a critical role in shaping the workforce. We have the power to do more by working together than we can as individual institutions. I look forward to building on this Rocket Express partnership with even more ways to collaborate and positively impact our community.”
The collaboration between Owens, Penta and UToledo is an essential part of regional workforce development, particularly for industries such as advanced manufacturing, technology and engineering. These fields are expected to see substantial growth in the coming years. According to JobsOhio, there is a significant gap between the talent supply and projected market demand in Ohio, particularly in areas like technology and advanced manufacturing. By 2030, northwest Ohio is expected to see a 2.7 percent job growth rate, with particular increases in the demand for Computer and Mathematical Occupations (7.9 percent growth), Architecture and Engineering Occupations (8.1 percent) and Construction and Extraction Occupations (4.1 percent).
As part of these efforts, Owens has worked closely with industry leaders to develop programs that equip students with the skills necessary to meet the demands of the future workforce. In fact, roughly 70 percent of the employees needed by advanced manufacturing companies are in engineering technologies.
A key highlight of the day was the visit from JobsOhio representatives, including Kristi Clouse, Senior Managing Director of Talent, who attended the signings plus toured the Dana Center for Advanced Manufacturing Training and Engineering Technologies buildings. JobsOhio leaders saw firsthand the critical work Owens is doing in areas such as robotics, machining, motor controls, cybersecurity and electrical engineering, among others.
The visit underscored Owens’ commitment to regional workforce development and its pivotal role in the state’s broader efforts to attract and retain a skilled workforce. More than 13,000 students graduate annually in engineering and engineering technology from colleges across Ohio, helping the state remain a leader in manufacturing sectors such as solar panel production, battery production, and glass, plastics and rubber products.
As part of JobsOhio’s “Let’s Grow, Together” initiative and Ohio’s broader economic development strategy, Owens is helping to build out Ohio’s “Silicon Heartland.” This initiative is bolstered by major investments like the arrival of Intel and efforts to attract semiconductor supply chains and innovative companies. Owens is proud to collaborate with Intel to provide 25 scholarships for students studying advanced manufacturing, electrical/electronic engineering technology and semiconductor technician certifications.
“Ohio’s manufacturing workforce is the backbone of its economy, and Owens Community College plays a critical role in developing that talent,” said Kristi Clouse, senior managing director of talent at JobsOhio. “Through partnerships like those signed between Owens, Penta Career Center and the University of Toledo, we can ensure students have clear, seamless pathways and are well-prepared to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving industries that will shape Ohio’s future.”
For more information on the Owens School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, please visit owens.edu/stem. To learn more about the Owens Workforce and Economic Development, please visit owens.edu/workforce_cs.
More information on Owens Community College is available at our website, owens.edu.
Owens Participates in Joint Effort to Train Workers for Hydrogen-Based Infrastructure
Posted on February 26th, 2025
A collection of colleges and universities in northern Ohio, including Owens Community College, recently secured $3 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to support the Academic Programs to Enhance the Hydrogen Economy project.
The effort brings together Owens, the University of Toledo, Case Western Reserve University, Cuyahoga Community College and Northwest State Community College with the Ohio Aerospace Institute and the Workforce Intelligence Network. The goal is to train workers for new and existing jobs to safely store and handle hydrogen and build and maintain hydrogen-based infrastructure.
“Owens Community College is happy to collaborate with such amazing institutions to study the future of a hydrogen-based infrastructure. This project could not happen without the efforts of the University of Toledo, along with United States Representative Marcy Kaptur. This is another way for Owens to help train and educate the workforce of tomorrow in northwest Ohio,” said Charlene Page, executive director of Owens Workforce and Economic Development.
An online discussion on “Workforce Readiness for the Hydrogen Economy in Ohio and Michigan” will take place from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, February 27. The virtual discussion will identify current and future workforce needs in Ohio and Michigan. The public is welcome to attend the discussion to learn more about the efforts. You can register for the discussion at this link.
The funding from the Department of Energy will allow the collaborative effort to establish a workforce development program and expand course offerings. The project aims to develop new training programs to provide skilled workers needed for the hydrogen-based economy in northern Ohio while also serving as a model for future expansion of workforce development programs.
Owens will develop and implement new credit and workforce training programs to support the hydrogen economy. It will collaborate with the other institutions to develop the course content. The schools will also explore a transfer program that would allow students from Owens to transfer to a bachelor degree program in hydrogen academic program at Toledo or other Ohio universities.
“Owens’ STEM and Workforce departments will continue to develop strong academic and workforce programs in coordination with regional employers, secondary schools and stakeholders,” Page said. “This funding will support and encourage Owens’ ability to be an indispensable partner in workforce and economic development throughout northwest Ohio.”
Page said one of the most important steps is establishing a map of our current hydrogen-based infrastructure. With the project still in the information-gathering stage, the group sent a survey to key stakeholders in the area, called the Hydrogen Social Network Analysis, an effort to map the regional hydrogen ecosystem that will shape the future of hydrogen. The first survey identifies connections and collaboration opportunities among organizations, and a second survey will concentrate on workforce needs and job skills.
Plans are to recruit students as early as Fall 2026.
Owens Among Ohio Community Colleges to Receive $5.7 Million Grant for Educating Manufacturing Engineers
Posted on February 10th, 2025
The U.S. Department of Labor approved a $5.7 million Strengthening Community Colleges Training grant for the North Shore Manufacturing Workforce Partnership, a consortium of five Ohio community colleges working to educate and train manufacturing engineers for the state’s advanced manufacturing workforce.
Owens Community College is one of the consortium members, along with Lorain County Community College, Cuyahoga Community College, Terra State Community College and North Central State Community College.
“We’re excited to see the impact the North Shore Manufacturing Workforce Partnership can make in Ohio. By helping Owens continue to educate the future workforce, this partnership will keep Ohio as one of the nation’s leaders in advanced manufacturing,” said Dan Burklo, Owens dean of the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
The award puts the North Shore Manufacturing Workforce Partnership as one of 18 similar initiatives funded across the United States; a total of $65 million was awarded in grants to 18 colleges in 14 states.
The grant empowers the consortium to scale affordable, high-quality engineering technician career pathways, expand earn-and-learn opportunities and support underserved communities in accessing high-demand manufacturing careers.
The program will expand critically needed capacity to meet the needs of Ohio’s rapidly growing advanced manufacturing center through integrated industry-education collaboration. The program will prepare 875 individuals to enter good paying, in-demand jobs, with each college committing to at least 175 participants.
Along with the community colleges, the partnership works closely with the Ohio Technical Skills Innovation Network, the Ohio Association of Community Colleges and the Ohio Manufacturer’s Association, as well as regional, industry-led partnerships.
Owens is one of the area’s leaders in training the next generation of skilled manufacturing professionals in the Department of Advanced Manufacturing and Department of Skilled Trades. Students can choose from associate degrees in CAD, Electronics Engineering Technology and Advanced Manufacturing, and certificates in Semiconductor Technician, Water Treatment Professions and Manufacturing Foundations. The advanced manufacturing programs are housed in the Dana Center, which was designed to provide highly technical and integrated training in a modernized setting.
To learn more about advanced manufacturing programs at Owens, please visit owens.edu/stem.
Owens Receives Grant to Help Fund 2025 Jill of All Trades™ Event
Posted on January 23rd, 2025
Owens Community College was the first institution in the United States to host a Jill of All Trades event.
