Ohio Hub Offers High Schoolers Fast Track to Tech Careers

High school students in Hamilton, Ohio can now graduate with a bachelor's degree and a job-ready skill set, thanks to a groundbreaking partnership between Butler Tech and Miami University.

The Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub opened last week, welcoming its first class of students to a 375,000-square-foot facility packed with professional-grade equipment. Picture teenagers learning circuit analysis, 3D printing, and coding on machines worth $200,000 per lab.

"I walk around, and it's like it's $200,000 worth of equipment in this lab," said Rousch Rousch, a Butler Tech student testing out the new space.

The program tackles two problems at once: the shortage of skilled workers in manufacturing and the rising cost of traditional college education. Students can start in high school and progress straight through to a bachelor's degree without leaving the facility.

Butler Tech currently sends 50 students per grade level, with plans to add 25 to 50 more students within the year. Dr. William Sprankles, Butler Tech's superintendent and CEO, expects demand to keep growing as word spreads about the opportunity.

Dr. Moira Casey, interim dean at Miami University's College of Liberal Arts & Applied Sciences, explained the streamlined approach. "Students can get an education, they can get the credentials and they can see what the job opportunities are," she said.

The Ripple Effect

The hub sits on the former VORA Technology Park campus, transforming an empty industrial site into a magnet for economic growth. Business leaders see it as a game-changer for attracting companies to the region.

"It's very exciting from an economic development perspective and a draw to Butler County," said Dan Bates, president and CEO of the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. Companies want to locate where skilled workers already exist, and this facility creates a steady pipeline of talent.

The program plans to expand beyond manufacturing into information technology over the next few years. That means even more career pathways for students who might not fit the traditional college mold but excel with hands-on learning.

Students praised both the advanced equipment and the quality of instruction, noting the massive upgrade from their previous facility. The official grand opening launches February 2, marking a new chapter for career education in Ohio.