Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center in Chillicothe, OH marked a significant achievement with the commencement of its expansion project. The groundbreaking ceremony on May 6, 2024 coincided with Ohio’s In-Demand Jobs Week and featured Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, underscoring the state’s commitment to advancing career-technical education.
The center secured over $7 million to expand its carpentry, construction, robotics, and manufacturing programs, aligning with Ohio’s focus on enhancing vocational education initiatives. Lieutenant Governor Husted stressed the urgent need for expanded vocational education opportunities, noting the high demand for technical job skills among employers. The expansion initiative aims to accommodate the surge in enrollment and meet the growing interest in career pathways at Pickaway-Ross.
Superintendent Jonathan Davis expressed enthusiasm for the expansion project, attributing its realization to the state’s Career Tech expansion grants. The ceremony included speeches from Ohio ACTE Executive Director Dee Smith and Justin Hollandsworth of Acoustic Ceiling and Partition (ACP), who highlighted the positive impact of the center’s programs on the local workforce and economy. The expansion project signifies a pivotal moment for Pickaway-Ross, enhancing its ability to meet the educational needs of the community and beyond with state-of-the-art facilities and programs tailored to industry demands.