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Aim Hire
2026

Workforce & Education Conference

Aligning the Engines of Economic Mobility: Education, Workforce and Economic Development

Ohio Excels and the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation have come together again this fall to host the Aim Hire Workforce & Education Conference, which is designed to strengthen relationships between businesses and educators at all levels. Ohio business, education, political, and community leaders will discuss the state of education and workforce in Ohio and key issues and solutions to better prepare Ohioans for success. 

2026 Conference Content

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Welcome & Opening Remarks

Speaker Biographies:

9:15 am – 9:50 am

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Kick off the conference with a performance by the Findlay First Edition Show Choir, followed by welcoming remarks from Lisa Gray, President of Ohio Excels, and Chancellor Mike Duffey of the Ohio Department of Higher Education, as they set the stage for the day’s conversations around Ohio’s education and workforce future.

Morning Plenary

9:50 am – 10:50 am

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Hear from leaders across education, workforce, and economic development as they discuss how Ohio can better align these systems to create stronger pathways from the classroom to meaningful careers and expand economic opportunity across the state.

Speaker Biographies:

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Breakout Sessions Round 1

11:00 am – 11:45 am​

Breakout Sessions:

  • Rethinking Math Pathways: Building Stronger Foundations for Every Student: Explore strategies to strengthen math instruction through high-quality materials, evidence-based practices, and career-connected learning that prepares students for postsecondary success.

  • A Regional Blueprint: Transforming Workforce Education Through Partnership: Learn how a unique partnership between K-12, higher education, and local government expanded career pathways, increased enrollment, and strengthened regional workforce alignment.​

  • Investing in Internships: Creating Value for Students and Employers: Discover how high-quality internships benefit students, strengthen employer talent pipelines, and create lasting partnerships between education and industry.​

  • Industry Credentials for All: Expanding Career Readiness: Learn how one Ohio high school embedded industry-recognized credentials into everyday coursework, giving every student access to career-connected learning—not just CTE participants.​

  • Workforce Pell: Preparing for What's Next: Gain practical insights into the Workforce Pell implementation, federal requirements, and how Ohio institutions are preparing to expand access to short-term workforce credentials.

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Lunch, Networking, and Recognition

12:00 pm – 12:50 pm

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Join us for lunch and networking as Director Stephen Dackin shares his perspective on Ohio’s future in education and workforce. We'll recognize a champion of Ohio's Education and Workforce system, and we'll also take time to recognize individuals and partners helping strengthen education and workforce opportunities across Ohio. 

Speaker Biographies:

Breakout Sessions Round 2

1:00 pm – 1:45 pm​

Breakout Sessions:

  • Extending the Runway: Middle School Career Exploration: Discover practical tools and resources that help middle school students explore careers, identify strengths, and build meaningful plans for future education and employment.

  • Implementing Ohio's New Work-Based Learning Requirements: Hear directly from state leaders about Ohio's new higher education work-based learning requirements,
    implementation guidance, and strategies for building strong employer partnerships.

  • Hiring the Formerly Incarcerated: Unlocking Potential to Build a Strong Workforce: Explore how education, training, and workforce partnerships are helping justice-involved individuals successfully reenter the workforce while meeting Ohio employers' talent needs.​

  • Building Regional Talent Pipelines: Learn how WorkOhio and Ohio's Career Pathway Support Networks are connecting schools, employers,
    and community partners to expand career-connected learning through regional collaboration.​

  • The Power of Proactive Student Support: Explore how two proactive student support models are improving student persistence and completion through
    comprehensive wraparound supports and intentional coaching.

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Choose Your Experience

1:55 pm – 3:30 pm​

Choose from the options below:

  • Credential Design Workshop (Aminah Robinson Ballroom): Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Ohio Excels, and Watershed Advisors
    Collaborate with state and national experts to explore Ohio's redesigned industry-recognized
    credential framework and provide feedback on implementation. 
  • Mentoring (Kojo Kamau C): You’ll have the unique chance to sit down with seasoned experts from across the state who know the ins and outs of the field and are ready to share their insights and ideas with you. Here's how it works:

    • Choose your guides: Select up to three mentors that match your interests.

    • Get quality time: Enjoy focused 20-minute conversations.

    • Walk away with answers: Bring your toughest questions and leave with clear, practical takeaways.​​

  • Networking, Exhibit Hall, and Resource Row (Aminah Robinson : Network and visit exhibitors and agencies from across Ohio to discover innovative programs, tools,
    resources and partnerships supporting students, schools, employers, and more.    ​​

    • Attendees can meet exhibitors throughout the conference to learn about cutting-edge programs, technologies, and resources that support students and educators statewide. Featured exhibitors include:

      • College Board

      • Edmentum

      • Future Plans

      • Ohio Department of Education & Workforce

      • Ohio Workforce Coalition

      • The Ohio Academy of Science

      • YouScience

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Breakout Sessions Round 3

3:40 pm – 4:25 am​

Breakout Sessions:

  • Experiential Learning for Career Readiness: Discover scalable approaches to providing students with authentic, hands-on learning experiences that build career readiness through research, innovation, and real-world problem-solving.

  • Reconnecting Adult Learners: Learn how statewide initiatives and community partnerships are helping adults return to college, earn valuable credentials, and reconnect with Ohio's workforce.​

  • Building Ohio's Advanced Manufacturing Talent Pipeline: Explore how schools, employers, and workforce partners are expanding advanced manufacturing
    pathways and preparing students for Ohio's fastest-growing industries.​

  • Aligning Aptitude with Opportunity: The Career Exploration Program and ASVAB: Learn how the Career Exploration Program and ASVAB help students identify strengths, explore career options, and make informed postsecondary decisions.​

  • Youth Apprenticeships: Growing Ohio's Future Workforce: Explore emerging youth apprenticeship models, employer partnerships, and practical strategies for
    expanding high-quality work-based learning opportunities across Ohio.

Graduation Celebration

Thank You, Sponsors!

We are deeply grateful for your sponsorship, which helps make this day of learning possible. 

Plenary Sponsor
Breakfast Sponsors
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Lunch Sponsor
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Opening Remarks Sponsor
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Mentoring Sponsor
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Networking Sponsor
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Breakout Sponsor
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Hosts

Ohio Excels
Governor's Office of Workforce Transformation
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