Welcome to the Northeast Node!

The Northeast Node network is focused on expanding the broadband & 5G infrastructure through regional partnerships. Our members offer flexible training programs and are committed to helping people gain the skills they need to thrive in the broadband workforce. Our collective efforts support the implementation of Ohio’s Broadband and 5G Workforce Strategy by expanding career awareness, coordinating wrap-around services, and connecting job training with real opportunities across 18 counties. These counties include Ashland, Ashtabula, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, and Wayne. We support current/future college students, rural Appalachian residents, justice involved individuals, and high school students to ensure broad access to successful broadband careers.

Resources for Students

Explore education and training programs to help jumpstart your career in the Broadband & 5G sector! Click on the links below and connect with valuable resources and program representatives.

Use these maps to find programs near you!

Getting started can be expensive, so explore these resources and reach out to financial aid experts to find available funding!

  • Ohio Based Employment Programs

    • A comprehensive tool to locate funded training resources by target group and offered services.

  • Ohio Department of Higher Education

    • Explore more state-sponsored funding opportunities and see if you are eligible.

    • Choose Ohio First

      • The Ohio Department of Higher Education provides funding to Ohio’s colleges and universities to support students in innovative academic programs. Participating universities and colleges award scholarships to students desiring a certificate, associate degree, baccalaureate degree, or graduate degree in eligible STEM fields or to students who want to become STEM teachers.

    • Ohio Work Ready Grant

      • The Ohio Work Ready Grant provides funding to Ohio residents who demonstrate the highest levels of financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligible students must be enrolled in a qualified program at an Ohio community college, an Ohio technical center, or a state university branch campus.

    • Second Chance Grant Program

      • Provides financial assistance to students who stopped out of an Ohio college, university, or Ohio Technical Center and are returning to finish their education.

    • Short-Term Certificate Grant Program

      • Funding for need-based financial aid students who are enrolled in a state supported community college, state community college, technical college, or an Ohio Technical Center in a program that may be completed in less than one year and for which a certificate or industry-recognized credential is awarded in an in-demand job as determined by a local and regional needs assessment.

    • Talent Ready Grant Program

      • Supports workforce credential and certificate programs of fewer than 30 credit hours at a community college, state community college, technical college, or university regional campus, or fewer than 900 clock hours at an Ohio Technical Center.

  • Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS)

    • Visit the ODJFS website and explore what services you may be eligible for including job services and unemployment, cash food and refugee assistance, child care, and more.

  • Visit your local OhioMeansJobs (OMJ) Center

    • Contact your Ohio Means Jobs Center (OMJ) and explore employment services through Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding and additional funding.

Check out these support services you may qualify for!

  • Child Care in Ohio

    • The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) offers financial assistance to eligible parents to help them with childcare costs while they engage in work, education, or job training.

  • Community Action Agencies

    • Serving low-income children, adults, and families with a holistic approach with credit consulting, emergency assistance, securing housing, and more.

  • Ohio Benefits

    • Learn about assistance programs in Ohio and access benefits for you and your family.

    Ohio Benefits Self Service Portal

  • Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS)

    • Visit the ODJFS website and explore what services you may be eligible for including job services and unemployment, cash food and refugee assistance, child care, and more.

  • Portage County Benefit Bridge

    • You could be paid for spending just a couple of hours each week learning about managing money and employment, if you’re eligible for the Portage County Benefit Bridge program. It’s designed to help you bridge the gap between being on benefits and self-sufficiency when your income from work exceeds eligibility limits. Benefit Bridge helps you achieve financial security so you and your family can thrive.

  • Cuyahoga County Bridge Beyond Benefits

    • Bridge Beyond Benefits is an 18-month program that was established to help people whose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Child Care benefits decreased or were discontinued due to higher employment income. The Benefit Bridge helps you achieve financial security so you and your family can thrive.

Click through the links below to plan your telecommunications career path!

Resources for Job Seekers

Click through the links below to plan your telecommunications career path!

Apprenticeships are for people 16 years and older who want to earn an income while also learning a new career. Learn more about Ohio’s Broadband & 5G sector apprenticeship opportunities by checking out these resources!

Check out the data driven Workforce Analysis interactive charts showing what jobs and skills Ohio’s telecom employers are looking for!

Explore these resources and tools below to start your telecom career!

Click on the links below to learn about the services and programs in Northeast Ohio you may be eligible for!

  • Portage County Benefit Bridge

    • You could be paid for spending just a couple of hours each week learning about managing money and employment if you’re eligible for the Portage County Benefit Bridge program. It’s designed to help you bridge the gap between being on benefits and self-sufficiency when your income from work exceeds eligibility limits. Benefit Bridge helps you achieve financial security so you and your family can thrive.

  • Cuyahoga County Bridge Beyond Benefits

    • Bridge Beyond Benefits is an 18-month program that was established to help people whose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Child Care benefits decreased or were discontinued due to higher employment income. The Benefit Bridge helps you achieve financial security so you and your family can thrive.

Resources for Business, Industry, and Employers

Click on the links below and reach out to these contacts to get started!

Connect with the programs and contacts below to learn if your company is eligible to participate!

  • Connect with your Northeast Ohio Regional Advisory Committee

    • Contact Information: ctrieden@ysu.edu

  • TechCred

    • TechCred helps Ohioans learn new skills and helps employers build a stronger workforce with the skills needed in a technology infused economy. Learn more about how TechCred works and how your company might benefit.

  • Workforce Bridge Program

    • Program providing financial incentives to help their associates gain independence from public assistance by increasing salary to bridge a Benefit Cliff. Explore the Workforce Bridge Toolkit to learn about public assistance, remove employment barriers, and retain employees.

Want to be involved with Ohio’s Broadband & 5G Sector Partnership? We invite you to take the first step by reaching out to the contacts below.

  • Connect with your Northeast Ohio Regional Advisory Committee

    • Contact Information: ctrieden@ysu.edu

  • Contact Frank Kohstall at kohstall.5@osu.edu to get involved join Ohio’s Broadband & 5G Sector Partnership

    Managing Director of 5G and Broadband Connectivity Center, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University

Learn how your company can host an apprentice by selecting these resource links!

About Broadband & 5G

Learn more about Broadband in Ohio!

  • Visit BroadbandOhio

    • Nearly 1 million Ohioans do not have access to high-speed internet and BroadbandOhio is working to ensure all Ohioans can participate in the modern economy.

  • Visit 5G-OH Connectivity Center at The Ohio State University

    • The 5G and Broadband Connectivity Center at the OSU College of Engineering delivers curriculum, research innovation, and workforce development solutions through analytics to provide a comprehensive view of Ohio's telecom industry workforce.

  • National Broadband Map

    • The National Broadband Map provides Information about the internet services available to individual locations across the country, along with new maps of mobile coverage, as reported by the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the FCC’s ongoing Broadband Data Collection.

  • Strengthening Ohio’s Broadband & 5G Workforce

    • Click here to learn more about Ohio’s strategy to ensure a skilled Broadband & 5G workforce to meet the growing needs of the industry working to expand this critical infrastructure.

Internet coverage varies by region. Explore these maps to learn more about where connectivity gaps still exist!

News and Events Archive

On April 10th, 2025, Youngstown State Launches STEM Workforce Education and Innovation announced a new pre-apprenticeship program for broadband industry careers with Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA).

On August 3rd, 2023, Metro Monthly reported on Youngstown State University’s role in Broadband & 5G Sector.

On October 17th, 2022, Youngstown State University was awarded $1.15 million by the Appalachian Regional Commission to implement broadband and 5G readiness training across eastern Ohio.

Latest News

New Fiber Broadband OpTIC Path™ class!
New Fiber Broadband OpTIC Path™ class!

View this LinkedIn post to learn about the next generation of fiber technicians at Youngstown State University.

New Fiber Broadband OpTIC Path™ class!