(Photo by Gwen Sour) Amy Queen presents awards during the closing ceremony of the GRIT Days of Learning conference hosted at Washington State College of Ohio.

Over 200 educators, workforce organizations, business leaders, community partners and elected officials from around the state gathered Thursday at Washington State College of Ohio for the opening day of the 2026 GRIT Days of Learning Conference.

The two-day event centered on workforce development and regional collaboration.

The conference, held Thursday and Friday in Marietta, featured keynote speakers including Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, Future Plans CEO Denise Reading and SHP Vice President Shea McMahon, according to GRIT Ohio’s conference agenda.

Tressel used part of the discussion to highlight a statewide youth fitness initiative he said has reached “about 391,000 kids,” describing it as a goal-based program that includes nutrition, sleep, cardio, strength, flexibility and “quiet time.” He said the program is designed to be inclusive for students with varying needs and abilities.

“It’s not a competition, it’s not a test,” Tressel said. “It’s a challenge for you to become the best version of you you can become.”

(Photo by Gwen Sour) From left, Alison Boggs presents an award to Warren High School Career Based Intervention Specialist Jenny Higgins during the GRIT Days of Learning conference hosted at Washington State College of Ohio.

He also connected his coaching background to workforce and education, arguing that helping young people set goals–and building the willingness to work toward them–is foundational to long-term success.

Elsewhere at the conference, Wiley Shipley, public relations and marketing specialist for Future Plans, described the GRIT project as a statewide effort to help students and adults identify career options and access training or job opportunities through local partnerships.

“GRIT stands for Growing Rural Independence Together,” Shipley said, adding that the effort began in Adams County in 2019 and has expanded across Ohio’s Appalachian counties.

Shipley said the program emphasizes “boots on the ground” work in schools and communities and relies on partnerships with groups such as OhioMeansJobs, Job and Family Services, chambers of commerce, schools and businesses.

“We really value our partnerships,” Shipley said. “With the goal of helping youth and adults find out what they’re doing next.”

Shipley said Thursday’s agenda included breakout sessions and group discussions bringing together participants from across Ohio, including educators, business owners and representatives of local organizations. She cited a student panel from Warren High School as one example of programming designed to show how career assessments and coaching can shape post-graduation plans.

She said one theme emerging from the sessions was that communities often have strong resources already–but people may not know how to access them.

“We’re not lacking in resources,” Shipley said. “It’s knowing about them, and sharing them.”

Asked how the program fits into an uncertain job market, Shipley said Future Plans and GRIT emphasize there are multiple ways to enter the workforce, including short-term training leading to industry-recognized credentials. She said the project aims to help participants sort what opportunities are real and connect them to pathways that match their goals, whether that involves certifications, college or direct employment.

Shipley said state support has been central to the project’s growth, describing the lieutenant governor as supportive and the program’s mission as aligned with statewide workforce goals.

According to GRIT Ohio’s description of the initiative, the project is designed to build a high-demand workforce by uniting partners across education, workforce and community systems and providing career assessments and coaching for students and adults.

The conference also recognized one Navigator of the Year: Jenny Higgins, cited for coordinating coaching for 99 students in a single day at Warren High School.

GRIT Partners of the Year

– Ohio Valley Employment Resources, Area 15, recognized for promoting the GRIT workforce and economic development model regionally.

– South Central Ohio Educational Service Center and Business Advisory Council, honored for the “Jumpstart Your Future” initiative, which implements the first three GRIT steps to engage sophomores and juniors in experiential learning and employer interactions.

– OhioMeansJobs Pike County, cited for proactive collaboration and solution-focused support to reduce barriers for participants and employers.

Employers of the Year

– Vitruvian, for partnering with local schools to provide advanced manufacturing technology and pre-apprenticeship learning using the GRIT five-step model, achieving a 100% completion rate.

– Sunset Transportation, for expanding routes and hours to address transportation barriers for individuals working or training in the evenings through partnership with the Ashtabula GRIT project and county commissioners.

– Pioneer Pipe, for supporting school-based pre-apprenticeships and providing training and mentorship in the skilled trades.