Submitted photo Matt Peters, left, and Jason Moore represented the Mahoning County Career & Technical Center and Valley STEM Academy at the recent Congressional Robotics Caucus in Washington, D.C.

CANFIELD — Instructors from the Mahoning County Career & Technical Center and Valley STEM Academy represented the Mahoning Valley at the Congressional Robotics Caucus last week in Washington, D.C.

The meeting brought together members of Congress, industry leaders and educators to highlight the critical role of robotics, automation and workforce development in strengthening U.S. competitiveness and reshoring manufacturing.

The event, titled “The Keys to Reshoring Manufacturing: A Skilled Workforce, Advanced Robotics, and a National Strategy,” was spearheaded by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) in partnership with several of its member organizations, including MCCTC and Valley STEM. Discussions emphasized the urgent need for a unified national robotics strategy to support modern manufacturing and workforce readiness nationwide.

The Congressional Robotics Caucus — established in 2007 and co-chaired by Congressman Bob Latta, R-Ohio — works to educate Congress on the vital role automation plays within the broader workforce development ecosystem.

The schools were represented by Jason Moore, industrial robotics and automation instructor, and Matt Peters, technical integrator. During the session, Moore and Peters highlighted how students trained in robotics and automation can earn industry-recognized certifications and gain access to high-wage, in-demand career pathways at a fraction of the cost of traditional four-year colleges.

“MCCTC and Valley STEM Academy were selected to participate because we are training both high school and adult students in a cooperative environment using the latest technology,” Peters said. “Our significant investment in equipment, facilities, and personnel allows us to provide real-world, career-connected learning experiences that align directly with industry needs.”

Participation in the Congressional Robotics Caucus reflects MCCTC and Valley STEM Academy’s growing role as a regional and national model for innovative career and technical education, preparing students for high-demand, high-skill careers in advanced manufacturing and technology.

Their involvement underscored the Mahoning Valley’s leadership in career-connected learning and demonstrated how career and technical education plays a vital role in developing a skilled, future-ready robotics and automation workforce for Ohio and the nation.