Concord Twp., Ohio — Auburn Career Center, Perry Local Schools, and Lake Erie College are proud
to announce a new partnership to expand welding and Career Technical Education opportunities for
students at Perry High School and across Lake County. Through this collaboration, our institutions are
working together to strengthen workforce development, expand access to hands-on career training, and
create additional pathways for students to earn industry credentials and college credit while preparing for
high-demand careers in the skilled trades.
This collaboration marks an important milestone for Auburn Career Center as the district prepares to
open its first satellite Career Technical Education program within one of its member school districts.
Through the partnership, Auburn Career Center will add a full-time welding instructor who will be based
at Perry High School, helping expand access to high-quality career training for students in Lake County.
Students enrolled in the program will also have the opportunity to earn college credit through Lake Erie
College, further strengthening the pathway from high school to postsecondary education and workforce
readiness.
“This partnership represents exactly where Career Technical Education needs to go,” said Dr. Joe Glavan, Superintendent of Auburn Career Center. “Our goal is to expand career exploration and hands-
on learning opportunities to as many students as possible. By partnering together, we are able to maximize opportunities for students while minimizing costs through alignment, shared resources, and collaboration between educational institutions. We are excited to open Auburn Career Center’s first satellite program at one of our member districts and continue expanding access to Career Technical Education across our region.”
The partnership also builds upon Auburn Career Center’s growing collaboration with Lake Erie College.
Beginning this fall, Lake Erie College will open a satellite campus at Auburn Career Center, with more
than 18 college credits available to students through expanded dual-credit opportunities.
“This partnership demonstrates what can happen when educational institutions work together with a
shared vision,” said Todd Porcello, Superintendent of Perry Local Schools. “Our welding partnership
with Lake Erie College has already created valuable opportunities for students, and adding Auburn
Career Center allows us to broaden that impact across Lake County. Together, we are preparing students
for successful futures in the skilled trades and workforce.”
Jennifer Schuller, President of Lake Erie College, added, “Lake Erie College is committed to creating
innovative educational partnerships that connect students to meaningful career pathways. This
collaboration between Perry Local Schools, Auburn Career Center, and Lake Erie College demonstrates
how institutions can work together to provide students with valuable technical skills, college credit
opportunities, and direct connections to the workforce.”
The expanded welding program will utilize Perry Local Schools’ newly renovated 2,400-square-foot
welding lab, which opened in the fall of 2024. The $600,000 renovation was partially funded through an
Ohio Workforce Improvement Program (IWIP) grant and significantly expanded Perry’s Career
Technical Education welding space. The upgraded facility includes modern welding equipment,
advanced ventilation systems, ten new welding machines, a plasma cutter, and additional metalworking
tools that allow students to pursue valuable industry credentials in materials manufacturing.
As demand for skilled trades and Career Technical Education programs continues to grow across Ohio,
the partnership aims to provide students with access to modern training facilities, industry-aligned
instruction, college credit opportunities, and direct connections to high-demand careers in manufacturing
and the skilled trades.