Building Ohio’s Tech Future: MCCTC on Display During Ohio Tech Day
By Daniel Herrmann
CANFIELD, Ohio - On Ohio Tech Day, organized by OhioX, communities across the state celebrated the role of technology in shaping Ohio’s future. The day is meant to highlight how students, schools, and businesses are building skills, careers, and opportunities in today’s fast-changing world. It is also a chance to showcase the next generation of innovators and remind everyone that Ohio’s future will be defined by technology.
I spent Ohio Tech Day at the Mahoning County Career & Technical Center (MCCTC) in Canfield. Right away, it was clear that MCCTC is exactly what Ohio Tech Day is all about.
What Ohio Tech Day Means
Ohio Tech Day is not just about celebrating companies or industries. It is about shining a light on the pipeline of talent that is being built right now. Across the state, students are showing off projects, schools are opening their doors, and people are starting to realize just how important digital skills and hands-on training have become.
It also reflects how Ohio itself is changing. The state is growing into a hub for technology with investments in things like semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and cybersecurity. And the people who will fuel that growth are not somewhere far away, they are sitting in classrooms across Ohio, learning and preparing right now.
MCCTC in Action
At MCCTC, Ohio Tech Day was not just a ceremonial thing. It was a real look at how education can launch students forward. The school mixes traditional classes with career-focused, tech-driven programs in areas like networking, cybersecurity, software development, and engineering. Students can start from the basics and work up to nationally recognized certifications like CompTIA A+ and Network+. Some even go further, earning advanced credentials that put them ahead of the curve.
One instructor, Mr. Benson, summed it up perfectly: “If they get their A+ and they get their Network+, they can choose another certification that they want to take. And that makes them highly valuable in the job market.” Hearing that makes you realize how much intention is behind the curriculum. It is about giving students real skills that matter in the world outside of school.
Students Finding Their Passion
Talking to students made it obvious how much this place changes lives. Some told me about discovering coding, building projects, and even getting internships that connect directly to careers. One student’s words stuck with me: “I love coding. I love developing. I love building something from nothing.”
That is not the kind of thing you usually hear from a high schooler. But it shows the kind of passion MCCTC helps create. And honestly, that is what Ohio Tech Day is supposed to spotlight: students finding purpose, creativity, and momentum through technology.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
What impressed me most was how modern the setup is. This is not a school with dusty old computers. MCCTC uses servers, racks, and networking equipment that look like what you would see in a real workplace. The administration actually pushes teachers to think five years ahead instead of five years behind. That kind of mindset is rare in education, and it fits perfectly with the whole idea of Ohio Tech Day, education and innovation working together to shape the future.
Why It Matters
In the end, Ohio Tech Day is about visibility. It is about showing students that tech is for them, showing businesses that Ohio has the talent, and showing communities that investing in education pays off. And MCCTC is proof of that in action.
The Mahoning Valley, once mostly known for its industrial past, is now producing the next wave of developers, engineers, and cybersecurity specialists. Watching Ohio Tech Day unfold at MCCTC made it clear to me that Ohio’s tech future is not just being written in big cities like Columbus or Cleveland. It is being built here in Canfield, one student, one certification, and one project at a time.
About the Author:
Daniel Herrmann is an 11th-grade student-athlete at Canfield High School. He hopes to study Chemical Engineering and Russian language in college. Daniel is also the founder of the Global Affairs Club of the Mahoning Valley, where he brings students together to discuss world events and ideas.