10/28/2026

Building Ohio’s Future Workforce: Takeaways from ACEC Ohio’s OTEC University Panel

 

Strengthening Ohio’s engineering workforce starts with connecting students, educators and employers. At the 2026 Ohio Transportation Engineering Conference, ACEC Ohio brought together representatives from four institutions for “Building Ohio’s Future Workforce: University Perspectives on Engineering Talent Development.”

Panelists included Deogratias Eustace of the University of Dayton, Allison MacKay of The Ohio State University, Jon Link of Columbus State Community College, and J.D. Yoder of Ohio Northern University. They shared perspectives on enrollment, career readiness and how engineering firms can help prepare and inspire future professionals.

An encouraging takeaway: engineering program enrollment is up at all four participating institutions. Panelists also emphasized that preparing students for the workforce requires both technical knowledge and professional skills. Their programs continue to focus on developing well-rounded graduates through design and construction education, communication, leadership, teamwork and ethical use of artificial intelligence.

The discussion highlighted the importance of reaching students before college. Introducing middle and high school students to engineering takes sustained involvement from professionals who can explain the opportunities available and share what makes their work meaningful. Panelists encouraged the industry to present engineering as a creative profession where people can make a difference, broadening the message beyond an aptitude for math and science.

For firms looking to strengthen their talent pipeline, early and meaningful internships were another key recommendation. Engaging students early in their college careers and introducing them to different specialties and company leaders can help them better understand the profession and make the most of their experience.

Each participating institution also welcomes involvement from consulting firms. Classroom visits, capstone projects and mentoring programs offer opportunities to support student learning while building relationships with potential future employees. For firms willing to invest their time, these connections can become a valuable part of recruitment.

The session underscored the opportunities for engineering firms to participate throughout a student’s journey—from introducing a young person to engineering to providing an internship or mentoring a future graduate. ACEC Ohio thanks our panelists and attendees for contributing to this conversation and helping strengthen connections between education and industry.