Ohio employers along Dublin's I-270 west corridor can tap up to $10,000 per worker to train for hard-to-fill technician jobs under a state incentive program that launched Aug. 31.

JobsOhio introduced the Technician Path program at seven events statewide, targeting industries that include advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and aerospace and defense. The central Ohio launch took place at Eastland Career Center in Groveport, co-presented by JobsOhio and One Columbus, the regional economic development partner serving the Columbus area, including Dublin.

The program pays employers in three milestone-based installments as each worker completes an approved training pathway. Eligible training includes associate degree programs, technical certificate courses and registered apprenticeships. Workers keep earning wages while they learn.

"It's an earn-to-learn program, so they're working and they're learning at the same time," Dani Robbins, CEO of Lake to River Economic Development, said at the program's Youngstown launch event Aug. 31. "They're paying their bills, they're getting a salary, but they're also skilling up and training to move into a new role."

To qualify, a company must operate in Ohio in a JobsOhio targeted industry and pay participating employees at least $20 per hour. Both new hires and current employees are eligible.

For every dollar JobsOhio disburses at the second and third milestones, the employer must document a matching investment, according to the program's official announcement. That match can include wages paid during training, tuition, books, supervisor mentoring time and program administration costs.

The gap between supply and demand is steep. For every technician trained in Ohio, five positions go unfilled, according to JobsOhio. WSYX/ABC6 reported the state expects demand for more than 230,000 technically skilled workers over the next decade.

JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef said in the announcement that the program puts the state's talent-pipeline strategy into action as companies weigh Ohio for growth and evaluate the availability of technical talent.

Technician Path is the first phase of a $300 million JobsOhio Experiential Learning Initiative announced earlier in 2026 by Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel and JobsOhio. The Ohio Manufacturers' Association serves as concierge lead, and Guild is the central program administrator.

No Dublin-specific employer or chamber of commerce reaction was available at publication. Dublin-area companies in eligible sectors can apply through JobsOhio at jobsohio.com/path.