Tolles Awarded State Grant to Expand Manufacturing Career Pathways

Tolles Awarded State Grant to Expand Manufacturing Career Pathways as Campus Growth Continues
 

Tolles Career & Technical Center has been awarded a $320,000 Career-Technical Education Access Grant from the State of Ohio to support the development of a new manufacturing career-technical education program that will expand opportunities for students across the Tolles district.

Announced by Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, the competitive grant is part of a $3.2 million statewide investment awarded to just 10 career-technical planning districts and Ohio Technical Centers. The funding will support planning, curriculum development, equipment, staffing, employer partnerships, work-based learning, student recruitment, and other startup costs as schools prepare to launch new manufacturing programs for the 2027-2028 school year.

The award comes as Tolles continues to experience historic growth. The career-technical education center is preparing to welcome the largest incoming class in school history this fall, with anticipated enrollment reaching approximately 1,500 students during the 2026-2027 school year. At the same time, construction remains on schedule for Tolles' $30 million campus expansion, which is expected to be completed in December 2026. The expansion will add nearly 50,000 square feet of new instructional space to support continued enrollment growth and workforce training.

“Ohio continues to attract businesses that are creating new jobs and investing in our communities – particularly in the manufacturing industry,” said Governor DeWine.“We have a responsibility to ensure that our students are prepared to take advantage of those opportunities. By expanding access to career-technical education in manufacturing, we're providing these opportunities to more communities across Ohio and helping more young people discover their talents, build valuable skills, and live up to their God-given potential.”

Dr. Todd F. Hoadley, Superintendent and CEO of Tolles Career & Technical Center, said the grant reflects both the growing demand for career-technical education and the importance of preparing students for Ohio's evolving workforce.

"This investment comes at an exciting time for Tolles. As our enrollment continues to reach new heights and our campus expansion moves toward completion, we're focused on creating even more opportunities for students to develop the skills today's employers need. Manufacturing remains one of Ohio's most critical industries, and this grant will allow us to work alongside business and industry partners to build a program that prepares students for high-demand, high-skill careers while strengthening the workforce throughout our region."

Tolles will partner with the Ohio Manufacturers' Association through its WorkAdvance model to develop the new program in collaboration with regional employers. The initiative emphasizes employer-designed curriculum, paid work-based learning experiences, career coaching, and training aligned with current workforce needs.

Planning and program development will begin during the 2026-2027 school year, with the new manufacturing program expected to welcome its first students in the 2027-2028 school year.

About Tolles Career & Technical Center

Founded in 1971 and named after its first superintendent, Harry E. Tolles, Tolles Career & Technical Center serves students from seven partner districts: Dublin, Fairbanks, Hilliard, Jonathan Alder, London, Madison-Plains, and Jefferson Local. In addition to its high school programs, Tolles offers adult and continuing education in areas such as public safety, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. With a 95 percent graduation rate and 97 percent placement rate, Tolles continues its 50-year mission of preparing learners for college, careers, and life.