Funded by Mantel Technologies, a defense technology company, the TECH Mobile Initiative will connect students with technology demonstrations, interactive workshops and career guidance from the program’s partner organizations, according to a recent news release. The project aims to forge education-to-career pathways by providing students with postsecondary training, industry-recognized credentials and in-demand jobs in Ohio.
“It is absolutely vital that Ohio continues to make strategic investments in our future workforce,” Director of the Department of Development Lydia Mihalik said in a public statement. “By bringing technology directly to schools, the TECH Mobile project will spark curiosity, inspire future entrepreneurs and keep Ohio at the forefront of innovation.”
The news release said the initial launch of the program will be limited to eight to 10 schools in regions with high economic need or low STEM exposure. It's expected to reach 800 students in its first year.
On top of federal efforts to expand STEM education in recent years, such as the launch of a national STEM festival and discretionary grants to support STEM, the TECH Mobile Initiative also builds on state-level initiatives to improve career readiness for the next generation of workers in STEM. In 2024, Ohio earmarked $32.5 million for STEM scholarships to local colleges, and in February 2025, state legislators introduced a bill to make computer science a graduation requirement for all high schoolers by 2027-28.
