On April 30, we proudly celebrated the Early College Early Career (ECEC) Class of 2025—the largest cohort in the program’s history—during a heartfelt graduation ceremony at MAGNET Headquarters. This milestone event marked the culmination of 18 months of intensive workforce training, on-the-job learning, and personal growth.

Fifty-two seniors from 12 Cuyahoga County high schools crossed the stage, each earning a state-approved 12-point Industry Recognized Credential (IRC) in Manufacturing and an OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal—testaments to their dedication and perseverance. As Director Rahim Nichols reminded the graduates: “Success is never owned. It’s only rented—and the rent is due every day. Class of 2025, the rent is due, and you paid it in full.”

Over 90% of this year’s graduates have received full-time job offers, a powerful reflection of their hard work and the strength of our employer partnerships. Here are just a few shining examples of their next steps:

• Steven Marquez (East Technical High School) will major in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Akron.

• Christian McAlpine (Ginn Academy) begins full-time as an assembler at Lincoln Electric.

• Angel Shepherd (Garrett Morgan School of Leadership and Innovation) is starting a role in quality at Buyers Products.

• Messiah Burns (Warrensville Heights High School) will work part-time at Swagelok while attending Cleveland State University.

• Aneila Gonzalez (Garrett Morgan School of Engineering and Innovation) is headed to the University of Cincinnati to study Mechanical Engineering.

• Ricardo Sostre (Garrett Morgan School of Engineering and Innovation) will continue studying Welding at Cuyahoga Community College.

From college classrooms to factory floors, the ECEC Class of 2025 is ready to shape the future of Northeast Ohio manufacturing. Congratulations to each of our graduates—your journey is just beginning, and we can’t wait to see where it leads.