Ohio Construction Academy (OCA) creates a direct pathway for students from high school to industry. It prepares them for careers in construction through classroom learning, hands-on trade education, industry-recognized credentials and employer partnerships.
A tuition-free public charter school, OCA was established to make the skilled trades part of a student's high school education. Learners divide their time between core academics that meet Ohio's graduation and testing requirements and technical instruction in carpentry, electrical, welding and plumbing.
“Our mission is not to supply students with jobs, but to give them careers that create lasting opportunities long after they leave our classrooms,” says Matthew Demosky, director of high school operations.
Creating Industry-Ready Graduates through Hands-On Learning
Learners can specialize in a single trade, develop skills across multiple disciplines or combine programs to create an educational experience aligned with their interests and career aspirations.
OCA’s National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) aligned curriculum provides students with the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications. Students graduate with credentials that carry real value in the construction industry, all at no cost. By graduation, they complete industry training worth 15,000 to 20,000 dollars. Employers also benefit by hiring graduates who have already completed foundational industry training, reducing onboarding time and introductory training costs.
It connects learners with real-world construction employers during their education, helping them develop a practical understanding of the profession. Through job-site visits and monthly real-life Wednesdays, students engage with HR representatives, superintendents and other construction professionals to learn about salary expectations, required qualifications and career opportunities across the industry.
-
Our mission is not to supply students with jobs, but to give them careers that create lasting opportunities long after they leave our classrooms.
OCA’s annual job fair further strengthens connections by bringing students and construction employers together to discuss career opportunities. By graduation, many have already established relationships with employers who are evaluating them for internships, apprenticeships and full-time positions.
One student's journey demonstrates how the academy's model comes together in practice. Before joining the academy, the student was facing academic setbacks. Through its drop prevention and recovery model, the student was able to catch up. After developing an interest in carpentry, the focus shifted to completing safety training and earning industry-recognized credentials. A connection made at the spring job fair led to paid summer work, a pre-apprenticeship throughout high school and ultimately full-time employment with the same company after graduation.
Building Skills Inside and Outside the Classroom
Trade education at OCA begins with the industry's most fundamental expectation; safety. Every student begins their OCA journey with OSHA 10, CPR and first aid certification before entering a trade program, reinforcing that safety is the foundation of every skill they develop. Beyond certifications, the training gives them the confidence to work with the tools, equipment and machinery used throughout the program. Instructors also reinforce safe practices, proper use of personal protective equipment and professional job-site standards.
Together, these elements have helped shape an educational model that continues to gain momentum. From an inaugural class of 25 students and three graduates, OCA has grown to 150 students with 36 graduates, while achieving job placement rates as high as 90 percent. It now looks toward expanding enrollment, adding new career technical education pathways such as HVAC and auto mechanics and reaching more learners across Central Ohio.
Every element of OCA's model, from technical instruction to employer engagement, is designed to prepare students for opportunities beyond graduation. By connecting classroom learning with industry experience from day one, the school is preparing graduates for lifelong careers while helping address one of the construction industry's most pressing workforce challenges.
