March 10, 2026
Over the past few months, Future Plans and The GRIT Project have been on the ground across Ohio—working alongside schools, employers, workforce partners, and community organizations to turn career insight into real opportunity.
From classrooms and career fairs to workforce meetings and regional collaborations, this period reflects steady, purposeful progress. Students completed assessments and coaching, educators used data to guide next steps, employers opened doors to exploration and credentials, and communities came together to strengthen local pathways.
Get full detailed updates by county here.
A defining moment of this quarter was the 2026 GRIT Days of Learning, where leaders from across Ohio gathered to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and recommit to building stronger education‑to‑workforce connections. The energy and alignment from that event continues to show up in the work happening every day across the region.
🎥 Featured Video: Leadership, Purpose, and the Power of GRIT
Keynote remarks from Jim Tressel, Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, at the 2026 GRIT Days of Learning
Jim Tressel | Lieutenant Governor of Ohio
2026 GRIT Days of Learning – Keynote Address
What We’re Seeing on the Ground
In just a few months, the work has included:
- Students completing career assessments and coaching that connect strengths to real pathways
- Schools and districts using data to guide programming, credentials, and career exploration
- Employers and workforce partners engaging directly with students through fairs, site visits, and training opportunities
- Community coalitions and regional partners aligning efforts to remove barriers and expand access
Across counties and communities, the pattern is consistent: when insight, coaching, and partnership come together, individuals gain clarity, confidence, and momentum.
Why It Matters
This work isn’t about a single event or initiative—it’s about building durable systems that help people see what’s possible and take the next step forward. The updates from this quarter reflect growing trust, deeper collaboration, and tangible progress toward shared goals.
As we move into the next phase of the year, Future Plans and the GRIT Project remain focused on strengthening partnerships, expanding access to opportunity, and continuing to listen closely to what’s happening in the field.
This momentum is made possible through the commitment of funders, partners, educators, employers, and community leaders who believe that clear pathways change lives—and communities.
