In an era of rapid technological advancement and evolving workforce demands, the college’s Center on Education and Training for Employment (CETE) is leading transformative efforts in Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across Ohio.
CETE is focused on ensuring that Ohio remains at the forefront of delivering future-ready, responsive education and training. Its forward-thinking initiatives such as CAREER 500, the Ohio Broadband and 5G Regional Node and the Technical Testing Project lead the way.
CETE is uniquely positioned to influence educational systems, industry collaborations and workforce development efforts statewide. Its work exemplifies the university’s enduring commitment to its land-grant mission.
CETE is an UNEVOC Center, operating under the guidance of the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training.
As such, it is aligned with global TVET priorities. This underscores its role in upholding the university’s foundational goal: preparing learners to thrive in a rapidly changing world while driving innovation and economic growth statewide and beyond.
CETE’s work is advancing several key global trends in TVET identified for 2025, including:
- the integration of artificial intelligence in learning
- the emphasis on digital and green skills
- learner-centered approaches
- expansion of lifelong and flexible learning pathways
At the heart of CETE’s transformative efforts is a structure organized around specialized program areas.
Each area brings deep expertise and targeted focus to distinct aspects of education, training and workforce development.
Yet, all are unified by CETE’s integrative mission to:
- translate research into actionable practices
- cultivate a skilled workforce
- foster thriving communities that prioritize well-being and economic prosperity
Several of CETE’s program areas and projects are actively shaping how both learners and educators prepare for a future driven by innovation.
CETE leads the development of valid, performance-based assessment systems aligned with industry-recognized credentials.
Collaborating with state agencies and employer partners, CETE ensures students graduate with competencies that meet workforce needs across industries. These industries include agriculture, advanced manufacturing, health sciences and green technologies.
These systems support personalized learning pathways and serve as key tools in learner-centered instruction.
One of CETE’s most TVET-related projects is the Technical Testing Project. For many years, CETE has led the design and implementation of Ohio’s standardized assessment system for secondary CTE programs.
In partnership with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, CETE develops end-of-course exams across 16 career fields to ensure alignment with industry standards and accountability requirements.
Delivered through CETE’s WebXam™ platform, these assessments also support professional development for educators and provide valuable feedback for student improvement, advancing both educational quality and equity.
CETE designs and updates competency-based curricula informed by current labor market trends and employer input. This learner-focused approach ensures that content remains relevant and flexible, supporting pathways from secondary education through adult reskilling and lifelong learning.
This program area is dedicated to advancing the Broadband and 5G Regional Node: Powering Smart Learning and Workforce Training project.
CETE plays a key leadership role in Ohio’s Broadband and 5G Workforce strategy. In fact, CETE personnel serve on the Sector Partnership Management Team housed at the 5G-OH Broadband and 5G Connectivity Center.
CETE leads the curriculum and program development working group and contributes across all project areas, including outreach, workforce entry and data evaluation.
CETE also serves as the university partner for program implementation in the Central Ohio region.
“With employers and educators, we are developing the skilled workforce to build and maintain broadband and 5G infrastructure for businesses, schools and communities throughout the state,” said Traci Lepicki, Associate Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives at the Center on Education and Training for Employment as well as the director of the Curriculum and Training program. “Our work ensures the high-speed connectivity needed to support next-gen skills development in fields such as smart agriculture and advanced manufacturing —promoting digital and green skill development essential to the future workforce.”
Excellence in Engagement and Evaluation
CETE collaborates with organizations and communities to support to offer support of data collection, development and implementation of evaluation plans and technical assistance to ensure desired outcomes.
One of the most recent projects is Columbus Access to Resources for Expanding Employment Readiness (CAREER) 500: Bridging Education and Employment.
Funded by the Columbus City Council, CAREER 500 connects underemployed residents with training, wraparound support and job placement services. The aim is to uplift at least 500 individuals.
CETE leads the program’s evaluation, identifying effective strategies for recruiting, retaining and advancing a diverse workforce while supporting economic mobility and workforce growth.
CAREER 500 is a quiet but powerful transformational project. The Excellence in Engagement and Evaluation team at CETE gets to contribute to this transformation through data-driven evaluation and a commitment to continuous improvement. The work we do supports workforce development agencies in helping over 500 underemployed and unemployed Columbus residents toward more meaningful careers, where they can earn more, achieve stability and build better futures for themselves and their families.
Abena Anyidoho, PhD, research administration management senior analyst for CETE and leader of the CAREER 500 project
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education and Training
CETE’s AI in Education and Training program is a dedicated research and development initiative committed to advancing AI in education and workforce training.
This program leverages interdisciplinary expertise to bridge the gap between the rapid evolution of AI technologies and the preparedness of educators, trainers and professionals.
The vision is to foster a generation that is not only proficient in AI, but also responsible in its application. The goal is to ensure ethical and effective integration into education and the workforce.
As CTE and TVET evolve to meet shifting labor market demands, including AI literacy, data fluency and digital skillsets, CETE’s AI in Education and Training program plays a vital role in driving this transformation.
By integrating technological training into existing workforce education systems, the program helps prepare learners not only for today’s jobs, but also for the future of work.
“Our program complements and enhances CTE and TVET by embedding technological training into traditional workforce development pipelines,” said Ana-Paula Correia, director of CETE and professor of educational technology. “We prepare a new generation that is not only technically proficient, but also equipped with the critical, ethical and practical skills required to thrive in AI-influenced industries.”
CETE’s leadership in advancing digital innovation, learner-centered approaches and workforce development across Ohio is at the level of local, national and global CTE and TVET transformation.
Through strategic research, design and implementation, CETE continues to support UNESCO-UNEVOC’s global call for future-ready, sustainable and fair vocational education systems.
