TUSCARAWAS COUNTY, OHIO — TEAM Tuscarawas has been recognized by the Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) with the 2026 Excellence in Workforce Development Award, honoring the regional partnership’s innovative approach to connecting manufacturers, educators, workforce organizations and communities to strengthen the local talent pipeline.

The initiative was created after the Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation (TCEDC) identified the need for a more coordinated approach to workforce development within the region. What began with a small group of committed local partners has since grown into a collaborative network of more than 27 organizations across four counties, bringing together manufacturers, K–12 schools, career technical education, higher education, workforce development organizations and economic development partners.

The OEDA Excellence in Workforce Development Award recognizes the collaborative, systems-driven approach behind TEAM Tuscarawas and the measurable impact the partnership has achieved in a short period of time.

Rather than creating isolated workforce programs, TEAM Tuscarawas serves as a convener, connecting organizations and resources around a shared regional talent strategy. Guided in part by the Civic Lab systems-building framework, the partnership works to reduce duplicated efforts, leverage available resources and create programs based directly on workforce needs identified by local employers.

Those efforts have resulted in initiatives including Made in Tusc Tours, Career Shadow Programs, manufacturing career awareness campaigns, maintenance technician training development, and local research into the qualities residents and students value most in a high-quality job.

TEAM Tuscarawas has already scheduled five Made in Tusc Tours for middle school students throughout Tuscarawas County, while its Career Shadow Program placed 22 students in paid work-based learning opportunities with area employers.

The partnership has also taken a new approach to changing perceptions of modern manufacturing. Through locally produced digital storytelling and career-focused video campaigns featuring real employees and workplaces, TEAM Tuscarawas has generated more than 700,000 views across social media platforms, introducing hundreds of thousands of viewers to manufacturing careers and opportunities available within the region.

“I believe strongly in the importance of investing in our local community and making sure people recognize the opportunities available to them in our area,” said Megan Zimmerman. “TEAM Tuscarawas is doing exactly that by bringing businesses, schools, and community organizations together to connect people with education, resources, and career opportunities close to home. I have been proud to be part of an organization that is not only promoting local careers, but also helping our community work together to create stronger opportunities for the next generation. This award is a reflection of the passion and collaboration that so many people have brought to this effort, and I am excited to see where TEAM Tuscarawas goes from here.”

That collaboration extends throughout the region’s education and training network. By bringing higher education, career technical education and K–12 partners into direct conversation with manufacturers, TEAM Tuscarawas helps create a clearer connection between what employers need and the education and training opportunities available to students and workers. The result is a workforce strategy shaped not by any one organization, but by the combined knowledge, experience and resources of partners across the region.

Paul Dykshoorn, Director of Engineering Technology at Kent State University at Tuscarawas, said that ability to bring different organizations together is one of TEAM Tuscarawas’ greatest strengths.

“Collaboration is key. Bringing multiple entities to the table expands opportunities for success,” Dykshoorn said.

That philosophy is reflected in TEAM Tuscarawas’ continued growth. The partnership has expanded from 10 founding organizations to more than 27 partner organizations across four counties, while maintaining 100% retention among active meeting participants. Partners regularly come together through bi-monthly meetings, one-on-one conversations, strategic planning sessions and regional workforce initiatives to identify challenges, share resources and develop solutions that no single organization could accomplish alone.

The partnership also hosted its inaugural Workforce Summit in May 2026, bringing together more than 50 attendees to explore research-backed approaches to workforce development, local resources and best practices.

TEAM Tuscarawas has successfully leveraged federal, state and private resources to expand workforce programming throughout the region, including support through the Ohio Industry Sector Partnership SPARK Grant, Civic Lab, the U.S. Department of Labor Charged Up grant, and Appalachian Regional Commission funding through Building Bridges to Careers.

The recognition represents a significant milestone for an initiative that began without a dedicated operating budget and grew from the commitment of TCEDC staff, board members and community partners who believed a more coordinated workforce strategy was possible. That commitment ultimately helped secure the resources necessary to establish dedicated talent development leadership and expand TEAM Tuscarawas into the regional partnership it is today.

The strength of that model has also earned recognition from manufacturing workforce leaders beyond the immediate region.

“TEAM Tuscarawas is a model industry sector partnership. They have a deep understanding of their local community, industries, schools, and all the resources available to get people into family-sustaining careers in manufacturing,” said Dr. Ken Poland, Director, Research and Documentation for The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “Even better, TEAM Tusc knows how to get these players to the table and focused on effective and achievable workforce initiatives that drive economic prosperity in the region.”

TEAM Tuscarawas continues to grow its work across Tuscarawas, Muskingum, Coshocton and Guernsey counties, with a focus on building sustainable talent pipelines, increasing awareness of modern manufacturing careers and creating stronger connections between education and industry.

The 2026 OEDA Excellence in Workforce Development Award recognizes not only the initiatives developed through TEAM Tuscarawas, but also the collaborative regional system behind them — and the businesses, educators, organizations and individuals working together to strengthen the future of the Tuscarawas Valley.

About TEAM Tuscarawas

The Training and Education Alliance for Manufacturing (TEAM) Tuscarawas is an Ohio Manufacturers’ Association-endorsed, manufacturing-led industry sector partnership connecting employers, educators, workforce organizations and community partners to strengthen the regional manufacturing workforce. TEAM Tuscarawas works across the Tuscarawas Valley and surrounding region to increase career awareness, develop talent pipelines and connect people with high-quality career opportunities close to home.

Learn more at teamtuscarawas.org.