This program will train climate-ready workers, including technicians, scientists and engineers, to fulfill the specialized workforce needs of the water industry in the great lakes

This Cooperative Agreement award, funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Sea Grant Support program (CFDA 11.417), will train at least 100 climate-ready workers, including technicians, scientists, and engineers, to address water resource challenges in the Great Lakes region by 2028. The $5,122,819 award to The Ohio State University aims to build a diverse, digitally fluent workforce capable of providing climate-resilient water system services to communities in the Western Lake Erie Basin. Key sub-awardees include the Student Conservation Association, Lorain County Community College, Cleveland Water Alliance, Junction Coalition, and Central State University, who will support recruitment, training, and placement of the climate-ready workforce. Activities involve curriculum development, hands-on internships, stakeholder engagement, and community outreach to ensure a strong pipeline of skilled professionals capable of addressing water-related impacts of climate change.

Through a knowledge and skills-building framework, participants will build a diverse, digitally fluent workforce that can provide their communities with climate-resilient water system services at various career levels. Expected outcomes involve training at least 100 climate-ready workers, including technicians, scientists, and engineers, by 2028 to address the challenges posed by climate-exacerbated effects such as degraded water quality and toxic algal blooms. Intended beneficiaries include the program trainees and residents of the lake erie watershed, local businesses relying on coastal resources, and the communities threatened by climate-induced water system challenges.