Instructors from the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center and Valley STEM Academy represented the Mahoning Valley at the Congressional Robotics Caucus meeting held Jan. 7 at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. Jeff Burnstein, president of A3, introduced the panel discussion, which included, from left, Boston Dynamics’ Brendan Schulman, Path Robotics’ Heather Carroll, Intrinsic’s Torsten Kroger, LCCC’s Terri Santu, and MCCTC and Valley STEM’s Jason Moore and Matt Peters. (Submitted photo)
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Instructors from the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center and Valley STEM Academy represented the Mahoning Valley at the Congressional Robotics Caucus meeting held Jan. 7 at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. Jeff Burnstein, president of A3, introduced the panel discussion, which included, from left, Boston Dynamics’ Brendan Schulman, Path Robotics’ Heather Carroll, Intrinsic’s Torsten Kroger, LCCC’s Terri Santu, and MCCTC and Valley STEM’s Jason Moore and Matt Peters. (Submitted photo)
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Jason Moore and Matt Peters in Washington D.C. representing the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center and Valley STEM Academy at the Congressional Robotics Caucus meeting held Jan. 7. (Submitted photo)
CANFIELD — Ohio’s Mahoning Valley is stepping up as a key player in the national conversation around robotics and advanced manufacturing. Instructors from the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center (MCCTC) and Valley STEM Academy represented the region at a meeting of the Congressional Robotics Caucus on Wednesday, Jan. 7, held at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C.
A Push for U.S. Manufacturing Competitiveness
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The meeting focused on the need for a skilled workforce and a national strategy to bring manufacturing back to the U.S.
The event, titled “The Keys to Reshoring Manufacturing: A Skilled Workforce, Advanced Robotics, and a National Strategy,” was led by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) and its member organizations, including MCCTC and Valley STEM. Discussions centered on the critical need for a unified national robotics strategy to bolster modern manufacturing and ensure a workforce prepared for the future.
Established in 2007 and co-chaired by Ohio U.S. Representative Bob Latta, the Congressional Robotics Caucus aims to educate lawmakers on the vital role automation plays in workforce development. Representatives Jim McGovern, Jay Obernolte, and Haley Stevens also attended the meeting.
Affordable Pathways to High-Demand Careers
Jason Moore, Industrial Robotics and Automation instructor, and Matt Peters, Technical integrator, represented the schools. They emphasized that students who train in robotics and automation can achieve industry-recognized certifications and access well-paying jobs without the hefty price tag of a four-year college degree.
“MCCTC and Valley STEM Academy were selected to participate because we are training both high school and adult students in a cooperative environment using the latest technology,” Peters explained. “Our investment in equipment, facilities, and personnel allows us to provide real-world, career-connected learning experiences that align directly with industry needs.”
Participation in the Congressional Robotics Caucus underscores MCCTC and Valley STEM Academy’s growing influence as leaders in innovative career and technical education. Their involvement highlights the Mahoning Valley’s commitment to preparing students for high-skill careers in advanced manufacturing and technology, and demonstrates the importance of career and technical education in building a skilled workforce for Ohio and the nation.
What kind of careers are we talking about? Robotics technicians, automation engineers, and mechatronics specialists are all in high demand, often earning significantly more than the median wage and requiring less traditional schooling.
The Future of Work is Automated
The push to reshore manufacturing isn’t just about bringing jobs back home; it’s about ensuring those jobs are filled by a workforce equipped for the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving technological landscape. The conversation in Washington D.C. signals a growing recognition of that fact.
