MANSFIELD — The Governor and Lieutenant Governor announced announced Friday that Intel will make the largest investment in Ohio history, building a state-of-the-art microchip manufacturing facility in central Ohio, employing thousands of people and encouraging dozens of new businesses to locate support facilities throughout the state.
“Ohio’s community colleges applaud Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted and JobsOhio for bringing Intel, with their extraordinary investment, world-leading technologies and well-paying jobs to Ohio,” said Jack Hershey, President of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges.
“By every measure, this is an historic moment for our state, a game-changing success that will bring lasting benefits to every corner of Ohio. The job opportunities generated by Intel and by other high-tech industries sure to follow will require a strong and sustainable pipeline of skilled workers ready and able to seize those opportunities,” Hershey said.
“Preparing that workforce will be an ongoing challenge, requiring the very best, coordinated efforts from every level of education in our state. Ohio’s 23 community colleges are well-prepared for that challenge and eager to collaborate to help Intel and other industries of the future thrive here by developing the talent they need to succeed.”
Higher education in Ohio is poised to provide critical support for Intel and the support businesses it will attract to central Ohio. Intel’s stated intent is for this new facility to become the largest microchip manufacturing complex in the world.
Planning to meet the massive need for the highly skilled workforce required to operate the facility is already underway. Colleges and universities are already developing curriculum, much of which is aligned to technical training and skills entrenched in the community college system – advanced manufacturing, robotics, I.T., automation, and logistics.
Dorey Diab, president of NC State sees opportunity for area business and students.
“We’re committed to working with these new businesses and the state of Ohio as an education partner to develop relevant coursework and training programs, beyond the ones we already have in these high-tech areas, to meet the unique needs of this new semiconductor industry segment in Ohio,” Diab said.
“The ripples of opportunity to hire our talented graduates from this exciting development will extend throughout the state. The residents and businesses of north central Ohio, just one hour north of the new Intel facility, are in a prime location for employment, living conditions, and technical support.”
Diab said NC State continues to meet the changing needs of employers throughout the region.
“These efforts have led to the development of new majors in Cyber Security, Bioscience, Plastics Manufacturing, Communication Tower Technician training, and the Bachelor or Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology,” he said.
“Our goal is to add microchip semiconductor manufacturing support to this list.”
