Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel and Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) Chancellor Mike Duffey have announced that more high school students will now be able to take College Credit Plus (CCP) classes and earn free college credit to pursue careers in high-demand fields.

ODHE recently established a waiver that eliminates barriers that previously prevented some high school students from taking part in Ohio’s CCP program. The goal of the waiver is to provide more students with pathways to earn an industry-recognized credential or certificate tied to high-demand career fields including advanced manufacturing and more.

“As we continue our work to strengthen Ohio’s workforce pipeline, one of our top goals is to provide as many of our students as possible the chance to gain experience in the jobs that will define Ohio’s future,” said Lt. Gov. Tressel, who announced the new waiver today during a meeting of the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board at Columbus State Community College.

“The expansion of College Credit Plus eligibility will give more of our home-grown talent an affordable pathway to high-demand careers like advanced manufacturing and others, and will allow us, as a state, to be ready to fill the jobs we need to fill.”

The Statewide Innovative Waiver is available to all public two-year and four-year colleges and universities, as well as independent campuses.

Columbus State, Sinclair Community College, and Lorain County Community College are the first schools in Ohio to receive approval to utilize the waiver. For students who participate in CCP at one of these schools, the waiver will eliminate requirements that students achieve a cumulative unweighted 3.0 grade point average or pass placement tests before taking CCP courses.

“Ohio’s fastest-growing jobs include engineering technician roles connected to advanced manufacturing,” Chancellor Duffey said.

“Our Statewide Innovative Waiver opens this opportunity to many more K-12 students who want to get a head start on the jobs of the future. Columbus State, Sinclair, and Lorain County Community College are already among the largest schools providing these credentials and, of course, do an exceptional job creating opportunities for Ohio students. Given recent announcements regarding growth in manufacturing jobs, this is an opportunity for students to earn technology-focused degrees – in many cases partially paid for by an employer.”

CCP students pursuing technician certificates or degrees in electro-mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, manufacturing equipment, and semiconductor fundamentals can all benefit from the waiver.

“The approval of the Statewide Innovative Waiver for advanced technologies is an important step in widening the pipeline of talent pursuing high-demand careers in manufacturing and engineering technologies,” said Dr. Marcia Ballinger, President of Lorain County Community College. “By expanding College Credit Plus to include career-technical education programs and making this waiver available statewide, Ohio is a leader in unlocking new opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience and earn college credit while still in high school. This bold move enables colleges and K-12 partners across the state to work together in building direct pathways to in-demand careers. As Ohio’s economy grows in strategic sectors like semiconductors and smart automation, this waiver ensures we are preparing the skilled workforce needed to fuel our state’s future.”

“The implementation of this Statewide Innovative Waiver represents a significant advancement for Sinclair and the Dayton region,” said Dr. Steve Johnson, President and CEO of Sinclair Community College. “By broadening access to manufacturing-focused College Credit Plus coursework, we are providing high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while developing industry-aligned skills that meet the evolving needs of our regional workforce.”

The waiver is also supported by JobsOhio, the state’s economic development nonprofit, and advanced manufacturing employers around the state.

“As more and more manufacturers choose Ohio to expand operations, the need for highly skilled workers continues to rise,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. 

“The College Credit Plus waiver accelerates and expands Ohio’s talent pipeline, such as technicians and other high-demand occupations. By earning college credit and industry-recognized credentials through applied learning, students gain a head start in the fields that are critical to Ohio’s economic growth.”

Support the New Americans magazine to continue to serve our community with precise news that affect the new American, immigrant and refugee community. https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8LHFS78NRNJJY&source=url