Together with the College of Applied & Technical Studies (CATS) and the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE), Kent State's Regional Campuses offer Talent Ready Scholarships up to $2,000. These scholarships, available through June 30, 2025, or when funds run out, will help local workers to enroll in specialized, industry-recognized certificate programs designed to open doors for career advancement.
Certificate programs, which include business, technology, healthcare and much more, require 15 to 30 hours each and are crafted to meet the demands of today's job market.
According to Flavia Inbanathan, Ph.D., assistant professor in electrical engineering technology at Kent State Trumbull, the certificates assist local employers and employees.
"Our Semiconductor Manufacturing Technician certificate empowers graduates to lead the charge in chip production and circuit board development," Inbanathan said. "As this industry continues to grow around Ohio, companies will need to fill many jobs. Our programs will help."
Shelly Weekly, director of Enrollment Management and Student Services for Kent State Columbiana County, believes the popularity of certificate programs stems from workers looking for convenient ways to advance their careers.
"With the ongoing changes to healthcare coverage and insurance, the Medical Billing certificate can open doors to a career in a high-demand field," offered Weekly. "The course work can be completed fully online and most who earn this certificate work from home."
are available for students in CATS short-term program certificates that require less than 30 credit hours. Programs include Essentials for Business Decision Making; CAD for Manufacturing; Computer Forensics and Information Security; Medical Assisting; Medical Billing; Semiconductor Manufacturing Technician; and Office Software Applications.
About Talent Ready Scholarships
The Ohio Department of Higher Education distributes award funding for the Talent Ready Grant Program to support workforce credential and certificate programs of fewer than 30 credit hours at a community college, state community college, technical college, or university regional campus, or fewer than 900 clock hours at an Ohio Technical Center. The goal is to establish and operate workforce credential and certificate programs of fewer than 30 credit hours or 900 clock hours, while providing additional support to short-term certificate programs.
The investments will support the state of Ohio's ability to attract new investments and talent, and grow and expand workforce credentials through short-term certificate programs.