Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center Embarks on Major Expansion Project to Enhance Vocational Education Programs

Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center in Chillicothe, OH is celebrating a major milestone with the commencement of its expansion project. The groundbreaking ceremony held on May 6, 2024 marked the beginning of the center’s efforts to enhance its vocational education programs. Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted attended the event, emphasizing Ohio’s dedication to advancing career-technical education during In-Demand Jobs Week.

The center received over $7 million to expand its carpentry, construction, robotics, and manufacturing programs. This shows the state’s commitment to vocational education initiatives as it recognizes the urgent need for more technical job skills in the workforce. Employers are struggling to find qualified candidates and this expansion project aims to meet the growing demand for vocational education as enrollment numbers rise.

Superintendent Jonathan Davis expressed enthusiasm for the expansion project, crediting the state’s Career Tech expansion grants for making it possible. Ohio ACTE Executive Director Dee Smith also praised the center’s commitment to providing high-quality career and technical education.

Justin Hollandsworth of Acoustic Ceiling and Partition (ACP) underscored the positive impact of Pickaway-Ross’s programs on the local workforce and economy. This expansion project represents a significant moment in the history of Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center as it allows them to better serve their educational needs while enabling them to deliver innovative programs tailored to meet industry demands.

Overall, this expansion will greatly benefit students by providing them with more space for their chosen career paths while also ensuring that they receive top-notch training that prepares them for success in their future careers.