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CHAMPION -- Trumbull Career and Technical Center administrators will travel to Columbus in early February to meet with state officials on securing capital budget funds for equipment for industrial trade programs at the center.
Superintendent Jason Gray said he and Paula Baco, high school director, and Cody Holeko, treasurer / CFO, will be in Columbus Feb. 7 and 8 to meet with legislators on what funds the center can obtain. If they are able to secure funding, Gray said the administrators will prioritize where it will be used.
TCTC has made previous efforts to secure funds for the project, but were denied.
Baco said for the 2024-25 school year, there will be three new programs -- digital marketing and management, aviation and drone technology, and industrial technology. She said the three programs have received many student applicants, and the center plans to hire one additional instructor for each.
Baco said TCTC is working with business partners on the industrial trade programs. Gray said industrial technology already has a lot of interest.
"These programs will offer training for jobs that are in high demand. They will serve their purpose," he said.
Gray said the goal is to secure career technology grant money for equipment for the industrial trade programs.
"Every bit of money we can obtain will help," he said
He said if a student is unable to get into a program such as welding or engineering, they can get into the industrial trade programs.
Gray said plans are to house the industrial technology and technical construction program in a building at the southeastern side of the current building near the auto service program area.
"We can expand on industrial programs, which are in high demand by companies. The industrial trade program will be amazing. Students are interested," Gray said.
Baco said previously that students in their junior year will be able to explore the industrial trade programs, and in their senior year they will be let out into the workforce under internships.
Gray said the proposed program has received support from the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition, Star Manufacturing, Trumbull County Planning Commission and Trumbull County Educational Service Center.
Baco said more than 695 applications have been received from sophomores and juniors for programs next school year and 182 applications have been received for the freshmen early innovators program. She said some programs have as many as 50 applicants, with some programs closed with a waiting list.
Baco said students also provide a second choice program if they are unable to get their first choice, which is done by lottery.
Gray said the adult education programs are still functioning by serving the business population by offering customized training programs and part-time classes for adults and enrichment classes for the public.
Gray said the aviation and drone technology program is replacing the Air Force ROTC program, which ends in May.
The board also has approved an esports extracurricular program, which will be a club for students. A $500 donation was received from the Cafaro Foundation to be used for establishing the esports program.
bcoupland@tribtoday.com