YOUNGSTOWN — The division for Workforce Education and Innovation at Youngstown State University has been awarded $902,000 from the state to meet the need for more training in industrial maintenance, robotics and electrical technician.

Support, like the grant from the Super Regionally Aligned Priorities and Delivering Skills Program “strengthens the region’s ability to better support growing employer demand,” a news release states.

It’s estimated that more than 100 students across northeast Ohio will be helped by the grant in 2024.

“Technology is changing at a rapid pace. This grant ensures that our Northeast Ohio partner institutions have access to the latest technology and training platforms to support the emerging broadband and 5G industries,” Lindsey Ekstrand, director of YSU’s IT Workforce Accelerator Training Center, said.

YSU’s training facility, the Excellence Training Center, opened in June 2021. Since, it has served 535 members of the community, including YSU students, companies and individuals with 882 course completions.

Top programs include FANUC and Rockwell certifications, certified manufacturing associate, Occupational Safety and Health Administration certifications and industrial maintenance.

YSU previously received $126,920 for 5G readiness and broadband training through the grant program. The funds were part of a $742,734 grant awarded to YSU’s workforce regional northeast Ohio partners for equipment for training certificates, certification and degrees in several careers in the broadband and telecommunications industry.