Director of Governor’s Office of Appalachia Visits Zane State College’s Training Center

CAMBRIDGE, Ohio – The newly appointed Director of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia was in Cambridge on Wednesday.

John Carey toured Zane State College’s Willett-Pratt Training Center and discussed regional workforce trends and challenges. Carey served as the Chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education where he worked to align higher education programs with Ohio’s job creation and workforce needs. He spoke with Zane State President, Dr. Chad Brown during his visit about workforce development and how it affects our region.

“It’s really a high tech, high skill economy that we’re looking at in the future. And how do we get not only young kids interested in that, but how do we get adults who are looking to upskill their opportunities interested in that. And all of that certainly helps make an economic impact in our region,” said Brown.

One of the main challenges in the area is the high number of open jobs, but the lack of training to fill them. Carey said he praised Zane State College with their ability to prepare students and provide the education to enter the workforce.

“Being able to provide that training and finding a pathway for people to go to a job where they can make a good living is something that we’re all striving for,” Carey said.

Zane State also received $235,700 in 2018 in the first year of the Regional Job Training grant program through OMEGA from the Governor’s Office of Appalachia.