Educator Spotlight: Belpre City School District
Belpre City School District
Jamey Erb, STEM teacher
Belpre High School (BHS) is expanding opportunities for students interested in engineering and advanced manufacturing through a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) Engineering Pathway, led by STEM educator Jamey Erb. During a recent K–12 Engagement call, Erb shared how the program is helping students build real-world technical skills while preparing for high-demand careers.
Developed in partnership with Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO), Micro Machine Works, and EZG Manufacturing, the pathway connects classroom learning with industry experience. Students explore automation, robotics, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), smart manufacturing systems, quality assurance, and workplace safety—skills essential in modern manufacturing.
Through the program, students can earn up to 20 industry-recognized certifications and 18 hours of college credit while still in high school. Courses align with WSCO, allowing students who maintain a 3.0 GPA and a B average to begin earning college credit early. Students prepare for the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Certified Production Technician (CPT) 4.0 credential, which focuses on safety, quality, production, and maintenance. They may also complete the Skill Boss hands-on assessment, demonstrating more than 60 essential manufacturing competencies to potential employers.
Robotics and automation are a major focus of the pathway. Through training on the FANUC industrial robot, students gain experience programming, operating, and troubleshooting robotic equipment commonly used in advanced manufacturing facilities. Thanks to a partnership with AOMC, the school is currently utilizing a FANUC robot on loan, giving students valuable hands-on experience with the same equipment used in industry. The program offers two potential FANUC credentials: Handling Tool Operations and Programming and CRX-Series Robot Operations and Programming, both of which validate students’ skills in working with industrial and collaborative robots.
Industry partnerships provide valuable hands-on opportunities. EZG Manufacturing is where students recently completed forklift operator training/test-taking and then they took the written certification exam at BHS. Jared Voldness from WSCO, met with students in the parking lot to help them practice their skills.
With demand for skilled technicians continuing to grow, programs like Belpre’s Engineering Pathway are helping students gain the certifications, experience, and confidence needed to enter the workforce or continue their education.
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