🎉 Congratulations to Warren County Career Center on celebrating 50 years of career-technical education! WCCC marked this incredible milestone with a wonderful Open House on Friday, welcoming alumni, parents, students and community members to celebrate the school’s history, impact and continued commitment to student success. For five decades, Warren County Career Center has helped students build skills, explore career pathways and prepare for bright futures while strengthening the communities and workforce it serves. OACTS is proud to celebrate this special anniversary with WCCC and looks forward to many more years of opportunity, innovation, and success! #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

🎉 OACTS is proud to welcome Gingo & Bair Law, LLC as a new OACTS Platinum Level Business Partner! 🎉 Gingo & Bair provides experienced legal counsel to Ohio schools and education leaders, helping districts navigate the complex issues that impact students, staff and communities. We are grateful for their support of OACTS and their continued commitment to public education across Ohio. #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

October is Manufacturing Month — a great opportunity to recognize the vital role manufacturing plays in Ohio’s economy and workforce. According to The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, manufacturing generates $137.9 billion in GDP, accounts for 16.5% of Ohio’s private economy, and employs more than 687,000 Ohioans - ranking Ohio No. 3 nationally in manufacturing employment. OACTS is proud that Ohio’s 49 career centers play an important role in preparing the skilled workforce that keeps this critical sector strong. Every day, our career centers provide students with technical skills, industry credentials, hands-on experience, and connections to employers and careers. During Manufacturing Month, we join @OHIOMFG and @JobsOhio in celebrating Ohio’s manufacturers, educators, and the students preparing to become our next generation of skilled professionals. Ohio’s career centers are proud to be part of the workforce solution. #ManufacturingMonth #OhioManufacturing #CareerTech #CTE #WorkforceDevelopment #OACTS

🎉 Congratulations to Tri-Rivers Career Center on celebrating its 50th Anniversary! For five decades, Tri-Rivers has helped students build skills, discover career pathways and prepare for success through high-quality career-technical education. This milestone reflects years of dedication from students, educators, administrators, staff, families and community and industry partners who have all played a role in its continued impact. OACTS is proud to celebrate 50 years of opportunity, innovation, and student success at Tri-Rivers Career Center and looks forward to seeing the continued difference the school will make for students, employers, and communities across the region. Congratulations on this incredible milestone! 🎉👏 #OACTS #OhioCTE #CareerTechEd #TriRivers #50thAnniversary #StudentSuccess #WorkforceDevelopment

49 districts. 47 five-star ratings. An achievement worth celebrating! ⭐ On Ohio’s latest School Report Cards, 47 of Ohio’s 49 Joint Vocational School Districts earned 5 stars, with the other two earning 4.5 stars. These exceptional results reflect the leadership of our superintendents and administrators, the dedication of teachers and staff, strong partnerships with business and industry, and—most importantly—our students' hard work and success. Congratulations to all 49 JVSDs! These results are a powerful reflection of the strength of career-technical education across Ohio and its impact on students, communities, and Ohio’s workforce. Ohio CTE is delivering results—and there is so much to celebrate! #OhioCTE #CareerTechnicalEducation #StudentSuccess #WorkforceDevelopment #OACTS

🎉 Congratulations to the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center on the opening of its new 13,000-square-foot Medical, Wellness & Education Center! This exciting new space represents an important investment in hands-on learning, student opportunity and the future of Ohio’s workforce. OACTS is proud to celebrate MCCTC and its continued commitment to preparing students with the skills, experiences, and education they need to succeed. 👏 #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

Please join us in welcoming The Nutrition Group as a new OACTS Platinum Level Business Partner! 🎉 The Nutrition Group provides food service and management solutions to schools and communities, with a focus on quality, care, and service. We’re excited to welcome them to the OACTS community and appreciate their support of career-technical and adult education across Ohio. Welcome to OACTS, The Nutrition Group! #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

📚 Adult Education Week, Sept. 14–17 At OACTS, we celebrate the impact of adult education every day. This week gives us an opportunity to shine an even brighter spotlight on the adult learners, educators, and programs making a difference across Ohio. Adult education opens doors - helping Ohioans gain new skills, earn credentials, advance in their careers, and create new opportunities for themselves and their families. It also plays an essential role in building the skilled workforce that keeps Ohio’s communities and industries moving forward. This week and every week, OACTS is proud to support and celebrate adult education across Ohio! #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

Ohio’s workforce is changing - and preparing for what comes next will take all of us working together. Across the Mid-Ohio Valley, a projected 123,000-worker gap by 2040 is bringing education, career-tech, community, and workforce partners together to rethink the future. The Workforce30 study, facilitated by Washington State College of Ohio and SHP, is turning workforce data into action - from strengthening career pathways and aligning career-technical strategies to supporting STEM investments and long-term planning. For OACTS, this is a great example of why collaboration matters. When career-technical education has a seat at the table, we can help connect learners to opportunity and communities to the skilled workforce they need. 📖 Read the full executive brief to learn how the Mid-Ohio Valley is turning a shared challenge into a shared plan for the future: shp.com/pdf-flips/how-a-regi… #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

Want to create more meaningful opportunities for students to explore careers in manufacturing? Join the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association for Working with Youth in Manufacturing on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 10–11 a.m. You’ll get practical guidance on: ✅ Legal, safety, and compliance considerations for working with youth under 18 ✅ How schools and manufacturers can build strong work-based learning partnerships ✅ Real examples of programs helping students gain career awareness and hands-on experience Featuring Kevin Shimp, Dickson Wright; Jason Haak, Upper Valley Career Center; and Harry Snyder, Great Oaks Career Campuses. Help build the next generation of Ohio’s manufacturing workforce. 💪⚙️ 🔗 Learn more and register: ohiomfg.informz.net/informzd… #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

OACTS was pleased to join several of our members, including Great Oaks Career Campuses, Butler Tech, Warren County Career Center, and U.S. Grant Career Center, for Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel’s Heart of Opportunity Tour at Medpace Inc. in Cincinnati. The statewide tour celebrates Ohio’s recognition as CNBC’s No. 1 State for Business and highlights the partnerships, investments, and workforce strategies helping move our state forward. The Cincinnati conversation brought together leaders from education, business, and economic development, including Kimm Lauterbach, President & CEO of REDI Cincinnati; Michele O’Rourke, CEO of O’Rourke Wrecking Company; and Dr. Monica Posey, President of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. OACTS is proud to see Ohio’s career centers represented in these important conversations. Career-technical education is a critical part of Ohio’s continued economic success - connecting students and adults with opportunity while helping employers build the skilled workforce they need. #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives @MikeDeWine

Congratulations to the Mahoning County Career & Technical Center on the opening of its new LEAD Center! 🎉 This 40,000-square-foot expansion is more than a new building - it’s an investment in opportunity. With space for more than 100 additional high school and adult learners, the LEAD Center will help more students build skills, explore career pathways, and prepare for what’s next. LEAD stands for Leadership, Employment, Advancement, and Discovery - and this new space brings each of those ideas to life. Congratulations to MCCTC on this exciting milestone! 👏 bit.ly/4qJLIVb #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

🎉 Congratulations to Medina County Career Center on the opening of its new Construction Trades Academy! This exciting new space will give students more opportunities to gain hands-on experience, explore careers in the skilled trades, and develop the skills Ohio employers need. OACTS also recognizes Cleveland Construction, Inc. and the Ken Cleveland Foundation for their support and commitment to making this project possible. Partnerships between career centers, businesses, and community organizations are essential to creating meaningful opportunities for students and building a strong workforce! #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives @mcjvs

🎉 Congratulations to Four County Career Center on the ribbon cutting for its new 36,000-square-foot trade skills expansion! This exciting investment will help expand opportunities for students pursuing careers in welding and electrical trades, while helping meet the growing workforce needs of local employers. OACTS is proud to celebrate Four County Career Center and its continued commitment to career-technical education, student success and Ohio’s skilled workforce. 👏 13abc.com/2026/08/17/four-co… #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

🎉 OACTS congratulates Matt Winkle on his appointment as Interim Administrator for the Office of Career-Technical Education in Ohio. Matt brings extensive experience, a strong commitment to service, and a deep dedication to advancing high-quality career-technical education opportunities for Ohio’s students. In his previous role as Associate Administrator, he played an important part in strengthening programs, building partnerships, and supporting initiatives that prepare learners for in-demand careers. OACTS looks forward to continuing to work alongside Matt and offers our full support as he steps into this leadership role. Congratulations, Matt, and best wishes as you continue serving Ohio’s students, educators, and career-technical education community. #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

🌟 Do you know a special educator who demonstrates exceptional leadership and makes a meaningful difference for students, colleagues, and communities across Ohio? The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is accepting nominations for the 2026 Kathe Shelby Leadership Award, recognizing outstanding leadership by a special educator in Ohio. 📅 Nomination deadline: Monday, Aug. 31 Help celebrate the educators whose dedication and leadership inspire others every day. 🔗 Nominate an educator: education.ohio.gov/Media/Ed-… #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

🌟 Help us celebrate excellence in adult education! Nominations are now open for the FY26 Outstanding Adult Educator of the Year and Outstanding Adult Learner of the Year awards. Eligible educators and learners may represent the 22+ Program, Adult Diploma Program, Competency-Based Diploma Pilot, High School Equivalency, or Aspire programs, including English Language Acquisition. 📅 Nomination period: August 3–24, 2026 🏆 Recognition: OAACE Conference Award Luncheon 📣 Who may nominate: Colleagues, program administrators, and students Self-nominations are not permitted. Adult learner nominees must have attended classes or graduated between July 1, 2025, and August 1, 2026. Outstanding Adult Educator nomination: bit.ly/45MMxCY Outstanding Adult Learner nomination: bit.ly/4fWUWZ4 Selected honorees will also be submitted for consideration through the Coalition on Adult Basic Education’s Outstanding Adult Learner and Teacher awards. Let’s recognize the educators and learners making an extraordinary impact across Ohio! 🎓✨ #AdultEducation #OACTS #AspireOhio #AdultLearners #AdultEducators #OAACE #COABE

OACTS was pleased to participate in Wednesday’s Governor’s Executive Workforce Board meeting at Tolles Career & Technical Center. The meeting brought together leaders from education, business, workforce development, and government for meaningful conversations focused on strengthening Ohio’s workforce and supporting continued economic growth across the state. It was an informative and valuable opportunity to connect, collaborate, and share ideas around building a stronger future for Ohio’s workforce! #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives @LtGovJimTressel @TollesTech @OHEducation

OACTS is proud to share that Shelley Groves, OACTS Board member and superintendent/CEO of Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools, will take the main stage at the NCLA Best Practices & Innovations in CTE Conference! On Wednesday, September 23, Shelley will join Dwight Hughes, Rhonda Rhodes, Bobby Deetjen, and Heather Webb for “Making Waves: The Leadership Conversations We Didn’t Learn About in School.” Together, the panelists will share honest perspectives on the difficult decisions, risks, and real-world challenges that come with leading through change. Their conversation will offer practical insight for leaders navigating uncertainty while staying focused on their people, purpose, and values. Register today: bpcte.org/ #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

🏆 OACTS congratulates Harry Snyder, president of Great Oaks Career Campuses, on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from Ohio ACTE! When we talk about a lifetime achievement, we often measure it in numbers. Harry certainly has those: thousands of students served, tens of thousands of adult learners impacted, millions of dollars secured, new programs launched, facilities transformed, and communities strengthened. But Harry’s greatest legacy is his impact on people. ❤️ It is found in the student who discovered a career they never thought possible. It is found in the adult learner who found a new beginning. It is found in the educator who became a better leader because Harry believed in them. It is found in every colleague, partner, and community member whose life has been touched by his leadership, encouragement, and example. A lifetime achievement award recognizes not only what someone has accomplished but also how they have accomplished it. Harry Snyder has led with vision, humility, compassion, and an unwavering belief that career and technical education changes lives. 🌟 Harry, congratulations, and thank you! 👏 #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives