Podcast by Rachael Mann
25 November 2025
In the first episode of Series 2 of the OTCs Podcast, host Rachael Mann speaks with Derek Brown of the Scioto County Career & Technical Center (SCCTC) to examine how one of Ohio’s most robust OTCs is meeting workforce needs, expanding training opportunities, and transforming the lives of learners across the region.
Derek discusses SCCTC’s rapid program expansion, shaped by close collaboration with employer advisory committees and responsive program design. Listeners will learn how SCCTC has strengthened healthcare pathways, launched new high-demand programs in industrial and technical fields, and created innovative training opportunities for residents of the STAR Community Justice Center. Through this partnership, adult learners earn valuable industry credentials, develop essential employability skills, and gain access to adult diploma pathways that support successful reentry.
Topics covered include:
• How advisory committees directly influence new program development
• Healthcare pathways including LPN, LPN-to-RN Bridge, Medical Assisting, Surgical Technology, Phlebotomy, and more
• High-demand industrial programs such as electricity, industrial maintenance, welding, and power line mechanics
• The new Fiber Optic Technician program, aligned with Ohio’s statewide broadband expansion
• SCCTC’s role in supporting reentry at the STAR Community Justice Center, including awarding more than 120 adult diplomas in one year
• Customized training options, including ServSafe, OSHA 10, CEUs, Excel, and TechCred-approved credentials
• Future program development in behavioral and rehabilitation services
This episode highlights the critical role Ohio Technical Centers play in workforce development, second-chance pathways, employer partnerships, and community advancement.
Derek Brown is the Director of Post-secondary and Continuing Education at the Scioto County Career Technical Center, where he is now in his ninth year leading adult education programming. With sixteen years of experience in education—all within the career-technical field—Derek brings deep knowledge of workforce development, program design, and learner success pathways.
He began his career as a high school science teacher before transitioning into administration, where he has since focused on expanding access to high-quality technical training for adult learners. Derek earned his B.S. in Natural Science Education from Shawnee State University and his M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati.
Derek is an active member of the Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education and the Post-Secondary Adult Career-Technical Education (PACTE) network. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Portsmouth Kiwanis and is a 2019 graduate of the Byrl R. Shoemaker CTE Leadership Institute.
He is a frequent presenter at statewide professional events, including the Ohio Career Technical Education Professionals Conference, the Ohio ACTE Annual Conference, and the Ohio Technical Center New Director Seminar.
Scioto County Career & Technical Center https://www.sciototech.org/
STAR Community Justice Center http://www.starcjc.com/
Ohio Technical Centers – Find Your Local OTC https://www.ohtechcenters.com/
Ohio Association for Career and Technical Superintendents (OACTS) https://www.oacts.com/
TechCred Program (State of Ohio) https://techcred.ohio.gov/
SCCTC Adult Diploma Program Information https://www.sciototech.org/post-secondary/
SCCTC Customized Training Offerings https://www.sciototech.org/adult-education/customized-training
Special thanks to OACTS for its support in advancing this effort. OACTS continues to champion the work of Ohio Technical Centers, strengthening workforce development, adult education, and community-based career pathways across the state.
00:00
20:28
01 April 2025
In the final episode of Season One of the OTCs Podcast, Kim Gates, Director of Adult Education at Warren County Career Center, discusses the center's initiatives and programs with host, Rachael Mann.
Situated uniquely between Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, the center offers seven comprehensive program pathways, including manufacturing, HVAC, welding, electrical power lines, cosmetology, EMS, and IT. Gates elaborates on a noteworthy program for incarcerated students, providing them with advanced manufacturing and robotics training to ease their reentry into the workforce. She emphasizes collaboration with local businesses to create customized training programs and discusses the center's upcoming cybersecurity, cloud computing, and industrial electrical technician programs. Gates encourages individuals from high school seniors to mid-career professionals to explore career and technical education opportunities for robust, high-demand career paths.
To learn more about Warren County Career Center, visit https://www.mywccc.org/. For Ohio Technical Centers in your area, visit www.oacts.com or https://ohiotechnicalcenters.com/ for more information.
00:00
25:43
17 February 2025
In this episode of the OTCs podcast, explore how Upper Valley Career Center’s Adult Technology Center is shaping career pathways for adult learners in Ohio. Guest Duane Caudill shares insights into the center’s short-term training programs, focusing on high-demand fields like healthcare, advanced manufacturing, HVAC, welding, and automation. Key topics include the OTC Plus program, which allows high school students to enroll in technical education programs unavailable at their schools, and the center’s strong partnerships with business and industry to develop customized training solutions. Duane discusses the center’s International Apprenticeship Exchange Program, which connects students with Germany’s apprenticeship model and highlights the role of emerging technologies such as AI and automation in workforce preparation. Success stories of students advancing their careers through stackable credentials are shared, along with strategies for supporting adult learners balancing education with work and family responsibilities. The episode also covers the center’s approach to addressing skill gaps and the importance of industry collaboration in developing future-ready training programs.
To learn more about Ohio Technical Centers in your area, visit www.oacts.com or https://ohiotechnicalcenters.com/. Special thanks to the support of OACTS and its role in advancing this effort.
00:00
25:18
29 January 2025
In this episode of the OTC's podcast, learn about the critical role of Ohio Technical Centers in workforce development, focusing on the EHOVE Career Center. Guest Laura Dowdell, the Adult Education Director at EHOVE, shares insights from her 26 years of experience in education, particularly highlighting EHOVE's innovative programs and strong partnerships. Key topics include the center's LPN-RN diploma program, the collaboration with Fisher-Titus Medical Center, and the unique marine trades technician program. Laura underscores the importance of customizing training to meet local workforce needs, ensuring program alignment with job market trends, and creating flexible and engaging educational opportunities for adult learners. The podcast also highlights success stories, including a student who transitioned from earning her high school diploma to becoming a paramedic. Additionally, upcoming expansions at EHOVI, such as a CDL program and a new dental hygiene program in partnership with the local community college, are discussed.
To learn more about Ohio Technical Centers in your area, visit www.oacts.com or https://ohiotechnicalcenters.com/ for more information.
00:00
24:55
23 October 2024
In this episode of the OTC podcast, host Rachael Mann converses with Stephanie Jury, Manager of Clinical Learning and Development at Adena Health, about the impactful collaboration with the Ohio Technical Center (OTC), Pickaway Ross Career Technical Center (PRCTC). This partnership provides hands-on clinical placements for students, addressing staffing needs and fostering workforce development through programs like STNA, LPN, and MA training. The initiative allows students to gain real-world experience in specialty clinics and has led to career advancements from roles in environmental services and nutrition to medical assistants, supported by fully-funded educational programs. Additionally, the partnership facilitates LPN to RN transitions and hires high school students as Patient Care Associates. Stephanie discusses future goals, including enhancing educational programs and establishing new services such as an ambulance service. The collaboration is highlighted as a model for aligning educational programs with healthcare workforce needs.
To learn more about Ohio Technical Centers in your area, visit www.oacts.com or https://ohiotechnicalcenters.com/ for more information.
00:00
24:14
03 September 2024
00:00
21:51