A Ribbon-Cutting With Bigger Stakes
In Georgetown, Ohio, a crowd gathered to celebrate the opening of the upgraded Southern Hills Career and Technical Center. Governor Mike DeWine, wielding ceremonial scissors, hailed the $6.3 million project as a gateway to opportunity for students. New labs for healthcare and manufacturing, gleaming with tools like Anatomage Tables and CNC machines, promise hands-on training for careers in high-demand fields. It’s a scene that feels like progress, a tangible investment in young people navigating an uncertain economy.
Yet beneath the applause, a nagging question lingers. For every student who steps into these state-of-the-art labs, how many are left outside, unable to access the same chance to build a future? Ohio’s push to expand career and technical education, while commendable, reveals a deeper truth: investments like these, though vital, often fall short of addressing the systemic barriers that keep underserved communities from reaping the benefits of such programs.
The narrative of opportunity is compelling, but it’s incomplete. Advocates for equitable education argue that without broader access, targeted outreach, and sustained funding, facilities like Southern Hills risk becoming islands of privilege in a sea of need. The stakes are high in a state where manufacturing and healthcare face acute worker shortages, and where economic mobility remains elusive for too many.
This isn’t just about one school in Brown County. It’s about whether Ohio, and the nation, can deliver on the promise of education as a great equalizer, particularly for those who need it most.
The Promise of Career Tech, Narrowly Delivered
The Southern Hills expansion doubles capacity for its healthcare and manufacturing programs, now serving up to 50 students annually in each. Tools like the Anatomage Table, a 3D digital model of the human body, bring cutting-edge learning to rural Ohio, preparing students for careers in a healthcare sector desperate for talent. Similarly, the Machining Engineer Technologies Lab, equipped with CNC machines, aligns with the needs of local manufacturers facing a skills gap projected to leave 3.8 million jobs unfilled by 2033.
These advancements reflect a broader trend. Nationwide, career and technical education enrollment is climbing, with a 3% increase in course offerings since 2018. States like Utah report CTE graduates achieving a 98.5% graduation rate, far outpacing their peers. In Ohio, a 10% spike in CTE participation over four years signals growing demand for practical, job-ready skills. The economic impact is undeniable: regions with robust CTE programs see lower unemployment and higher wages, as seen in Arizona’s healthcare workforce initiatives.
But here’s where the story frays. The students benefiting from Southern Hills are largely from six surrounding districts, a limited footprint in a state where rural and urban divides persist. Low-income students and students of color, who make up 51% of CTE concentrators nationally, often face barriers like transportation, childcare, or underfunded schools that lack the resources to connect them to programs like these. Ohio’s $6.3 million investment, while significant, pales against the $1.5 billion requested for federal CTE grants in 2025, highlighting the scale of need.
Technology as a Game-Changer, If Accessible
The integration of emerging technologies in education could be transformative. Virtual reality simulations, AI-driven diagnostics, and 3D-printed organ models are revolutionizing healthcare training, offering students immersive experiences that bridge theory and practice. At Southern Hills, the Anatomage Table exemplifies this shift, letting students dissect virtual bodies with precision. Such tools could prepare a generation for a healthcare system increasingly reliant on digital innovation.
Yet access to these technologies is uneven. While Southern Hills boasts advanced equipment, many Ohio schools struggle to afford basic lab upgrades. The promise of VR or AI in education remains out of reach for districts grappling with budget cuts or outdated infrastructure. Without equitable distribution, these tools risk deepening disparities, leaving rural and low-income students further behind in a tech-driven economy.
Some argue that market-driven solutions, like private-sector partnerships, can fill the gap. But this approach often prioritizes profitable urban areas over rural ones, and it sidesteps the public’s responsibility to ensure every student has a shot. A truly equitable system would prioritize state and federal policies that channel resources to the most underserved, not just the most visible.
The Funding Fight and Its Real-World Impact
State funding has been the backbone of CTE growth, with 26 states enacting 63 funding policies in 2024 alone. Ohio’s $4.6 million Governor’s Career Tech Expansion Grant and $1.7 million equipment grant for Southern Hills are part of this wave. These investments yield results: Florida’s CTE students earned over 235,000 industry certificates in 2023, boosting employability. But funding is inconsistent, and Ohio’s efforts, while notable, don’t match the scale of need in a state with stark economic disparities.
Critics of robust public investment often point to fiscal restraint, arguing that taxpayers shouldn’t foot the bill for specialized programs. This view ignores the long-term payoff: CTE graduates contribute to higher tax revenues and lower social assistance costs. Cutting corners now means a weaker workforce later, especially in manufacturing, where 40% of core skills will shift in the next few years. A short-sighted approach risks leaving Ohio’s economy vulnerable.
For students, the impact is immediate. A low-income student in a rural district, unable to access Southern Hills, might miss out on a healthcare career that could lift their family out of poverty. Equity demands not just funding, but strategic allocation to ensure no community is left behind.
A Vision for a Fairer Future
Ohio’s investment in Southern Hills is a step toward a stronger workforce, but it’s not enough. To truly level the playing field, policymakers must commit to sustained, equitable funding that reaches beyond showcase projects. This means targeting resources to rural and urban districts alike, expanding transportation and childcare support, and ensuring that advanced technologies like VR and AI aren’t luxuries reserved for a few.
The alternative is a future where opportunity remains uneven, where only some students get the tools to thrive in a rapidly changing economy. Advocates for equitable education are clear: every young person deserves a chance to turn their potential into a career, no matter where they live or what they can afford. Ohio can lead the way, but only if it dares to invest boldly in all its students.