It’s hard to think of a better place to put down roots -- especially one that offers so many opportunities. We encourage you to visit and look around.
Education and Training Resources
Portage County, Ohio is a great place to call home for so many reasons – and one of the most important is our area’s strong focus on lifelong learning. Whether you’re looking into postsecondary education options, are interested in adult education opportunities, or you are an employer who wants to strengthen your workforce with training and other resources, you’ll find what you need in our communities.
Postsecondary Education
At the postsecondary level, there are many great options to choose from – for everyone from recent high school grads to adult learners who want convenient postsecondary options that fit their schedule and needs. Among the options available, Portage County is home to Kent State University, judged by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s top-tier universities. Additionally, for more than 40 years, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) has worked in collaboration with its educational, clinical and research partners to successfully train health professionals and medical researchers. Explore the different options to find which is best suited for your career and personal goals:
- Kent State University – Kent State is a world leader in liquid crystal and polymer-related research. Choose from 280+ Bachelor’s Degree programs and many opportunities for study at the master’s and doctoral levels at this public research university.
- Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) – A public health sciences university in Rootstown, NEOMED offers opportunities to pursue a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree, Master's and Ph.D degrees in addition to medical research opportunities.
- Hiram College – Hiram College is a private liberal arts college that offers 29 majors and 36 minors to further your education. Hiram also offers weekend, community college partnership sites, and online education options convenient for adult learners.
- The Northcoast Medical Training Academy – A short-term medical training facility located in Kent, Northcoast Medical provides Practical Nursing, Medical Assistant, Veterinary Assistant, Massage Therapist and Phlebotomy Technician Training Programs.
Adult Education
Are you an adult learner looking for the next steps in furthering your career? Whether you want to work towards your GED or are interested in vocational training, Portage County offers free programs and affordable solutions to do just that!
- Maplewood Career Center – A vocational facility located in Ravenna, Maplewood offers GED testing in addition to programs that focus on career and technical education.
- ASPIRE/College & Career Readiness Program – ASPIRE is a free program that guides adults in Portage County with General Education Diploma (GED)/High School Equivalent (HSE) preparation, job readiness, computer skills, education skills, life skills, and more. Learning centers located throughout Portage County include:
- Catholic Charities, Ravenna – afternoon classes
- Maplewood Career Center, Ravenna – evening classes
- Goodwill, Ravenna – evening classes
- OhioMeansJobs, Ravenna – morning classes
- Opportunity Resource Center, Ravenna – morning classes
- Windham Renaissance Family Center, Windham – morning/afternoon classes
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) – Also a part of ASPIRE, ESOL classes and materials are offered free-of charge. Morning, afternoon, and evening classes are offered all year round in Kent and Streetsboro:
- Lake Brady United Methodist Church – morning/evening classes
- Streetsboro Municipal Center – afternoon classes
Workforce Development
For companies interested in expanding the talent of their workforce, Portage County offers some great ways to help. From opportunities to train and apprentice while saving money to helping your existing employees develop new skills and competencies, explore the workforce development resources available.
- Kent State University Center for Corporate and Professional Development – Meet your company’s talent development needs and develop employee competencies in supervision, management and leadership, team building and more. KSU provides customized on-site employee training and public professional development programs and certifications.
- Maplewood Career Center – Learn more about the diverse range of specialty programming offered for workforce development ranging from Trade and Industry to Computer and more.
- OhioMeansJobs – From On-The-Job Training which offers partial reimbursements, to registering your business with ApprenticeOhio for the opportunity to train your workforce while saving money, OhioMeansJobs offers great ways for companies to strengthen their workforce and grow.
Other Resources
Not finding what you’re looking for in the sections above? Explore additional education opportunities for veterans and service members, vocational resources for individuals with disabilities, information about financial aid, job readiness workshops, and more. The following links provide some additional helpful resources for those interested in landing a great job or furthering their education:
It’s hard to think of a better place to put down roots -- especially one that offers so many opportunities. We encourage you to visit and look around.