What Upper Valley Joint Vocational School does

Upper Valley Career Center (formerly Upper Valley Joint Vocational School) is a public career-technical education school district headquartered in Piqua, Ohio, founded in 1975 and serving students from 14 associate school districts across Miami and Shelby Counties with open enrollment extending into Auglaize, Mercer, and Darke Counties. The institution delivers over 25 career-technical programs to high school juniors and seniors, including trades (Welding, HVAC/R, Electrical, Carpentry, Construction, Automotive), advanced manufacturing (CNC Technology, Robotics and Automation, Manufacturing and Machining Technologies), services (Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Medical Careers Academy), and digital pathways (Computer Information Technologies, Design and Digital Print Technologies). Core technology centers on career-technical education labs and hands-on training facilities across two main Piqua campuses (8811 Career Drive main campus and 8901 Looney Road Adult Technology Center), supplemented by satellite programs delivered at associate district sites that reach an additional 3,300+ students beyond the 1,100+ on the main campus. The institution also operates student-operated real-world businesses including The Cornerstone@8811 restaurant, The Salon@8811 salon, and UVCC Preschool, which serve as training environments.

Upper Valley's business model is anchored in public school funding from state and local tax sources, with no tuition charged to high school students attending from associate districts. Supplemental revenue streams include Adult Education full-time certificate programs (CNA, Practical Nursing, LPN to RN, HVAC/R, Precision Tooling, Welding, Electrical Power Line Mechanic) and the OTC+ program offering tuition-free adult education classes to high school students, both accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. The go-to-market motion is event-driven, centered on school visits during October-November, Explore Careers Day in December, and Open House events coordinated by a District PR & Recruitment Specialist. Distribution is primarily direct, through the main campus, satellite programs at associate districts, and the Adult Technology Center.

Customer segments span High School Students (Grades 11-12) from associate districts, Adult Learners pursuing career transitions or industry credentials, Students with Disabilities (Launch Program, ages 18-22), Families with Young Children (Preschool), and Regional Employers seeking skilled entry-level workers. Higher-education partnerships with Edison State, Clark State, Sinclair, University of Northwestern Ohio, Columbus State, and Hocking College enable College Credit Plus pathways, with articulation agreements delivering up to 21 semester hours in programs like HVAC/R. The school-to-apprenticeship program, approved by the US Department of Labor Bureau of Apprenticeship, holds State Model Apprenticeship designation and has earned national and international recognition, allowing students to complete up to one year of apprenticeship credit during senior year.

Name

Upper Valley Joint Vocational School

Legal name

Upper Valley Career Center

Website

https://uppervalleycc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Upper Valley Career Center is a public career-technical school district in Piqua, Ohio, serving high school students from 14 associate districts, adult learners, and regional employers across Miami and Shelby Counties with 25+ accredited programs and apprenticeship pathways.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Career and Technical Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs (EDAJAAAJ)

Keywords

• Career-technical education
• Vocational training programs
• Adult education services
• Apprenticeship programs
• High school career pathways

Headquarters

HQ city

Piqua

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Public School Funding: As a public career-technical school district, funding comes from state and local tax sources. There is no tuition for high school students attending from associate school districts.
2. Adult Education Programs: Full-time certificate programs offered through Adult Education are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Programs include healthcare (CNA, Practical Nursing, LPN to RN), industrial trades (HVAC/R, Precision Tooling, Welding, Electrical Power Line Mechanic), and education services (GED, ESOL, Aspire).
3. OTC+ (Ohio Technical Center Plus): Tuition-free adult education classes for high school juniors and seniors, allowing students to gain real-world job training, earn college credits, and work toward industry-recognized certifications while still in school.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Upper Valley Career Center is a public career-technical school district that delivers more than 25 high school career-technical programs and accredited adult education certificate programs to students in Piqua, Ohio and across 14 associate school districts. Students earn college credits, industry-recognized certifications, and apprenticeship credit, and gain hands-on experience through student-operated businesses including a restaurant, salon, and licensed preschool.

Product overview

Upper Valley Career Center (formerly Upper Valley Joint Vocational School) is a career-technical education institution offering over 25 high school career-tech programs and Adult Education certificate programs. The high school programs include diverse career pathways such as Ag & Power Technologies, Auto Collision Repair, Automotive Technologies, Building Maintenance, Computer Information Technologies, Construction Technologies, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Design and Digital Print Technologies, Early Childhood Education & Care, Electrical Trades, First Responders Academy, HVAC/R, Interactive Media, Landscape & Natural Resources, Manufacturing and Machining Technologies, Medical Careers Academy, Pre-Engineering and Design Technologies, Robotics and Automation, Sports Medicine, Teacher Academy, Veterinary Science, and Welding Technologies. Students gain hands-on experience through on-campus labs and student-operated businesses including The Cornerstone@8811 restaurant, The Salon@8811, and UVCC Preschool. The Adult Education division provides full-time certificate programs and short-term training, all accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. The OTC+ program allows high school students to access adult education classes tuition-free. The School-to-Apprenticeship program, Ohio's Model Pre-Apprenticeship, enables students to earn up to one year of apprenticeship credit during senior year.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UVCC Adult Education: Adult Education division offering full-time certificate programs, Aspire classes, and customized short-term training for adult learners.
• UVCC Preschool
• The Cornerstone@8811
• The Salon@8811
• OTC+ (Ohio Technical Center Plus)
• Launch

Products and services

• High School Career-Technical Programs Over 25 career-technical education programs for high school students, including Ag & Power Technologies, Automotive Technologies, Computer Information Technologies, Construction Technologies, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, HVAC/R, Manufacturing and Machining Technologies, Medical Careers Academy, Robotics and Automation, Welding Technologies, and others. Students earn college credits and industry certifications.
• Adult Education Full-time certificate programs, Aspire, and short-term training for adult learners, accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Programs include Industrial Training (Advanced Manufacturing, HVAC/R, Precision Tooling, Welding, Electrical Power Line Mechanic), Healthcare Programs (CNA, Practical Nursing, LPN to RN), and Education Services (GED, ESOL).
• OTC+ (Ohio Technical Center Plus) Opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to take adult education classes at Ohio Technical Centers tuition-free while still in school, gaining real-world job training, college credits, and industry-recognized certifications.
• School-to-Apprenticeship Program Ohio's Model Pre-Apprenticeship program helping students enter occupations requiring high skill levels, with formal apprenticeship approved by the US Department of Labor. Students can complete up to one year of apprenticeship credit during senior year in fields including CNC Technology, Carpentry, Electrical Trades, HVAC/R, Welding, and Electronics.
• The Cornerstone@8811 A full-service, student-run restaurant located at the southwest corner of the Upper Valley Career Center campus. Students in the Culinary Arts program gain hands-on experience running the restaurant, preparing food and serving customers.
• The Salon@8811 A student-run salon providing quality salon services under licensed instructor supervision. Cosmetology students gain valuable hands-on experience in a real salon setting.
• UVCC Preschool A state-licensed preschool for children ages 2-5 operated by the Early Childhood Education and Care program. ECEC students gain experience working with young children by planning and implementing the preschool curriculum.
• Launch Program A one-year high school transition program for individuals with disabilities providing training and education leading to community employment. Serves young adults ages 18-22 who defer their diploma in their last year of high school.
• Explore Program A unique opportunity helping students experience different careers through career-technical programs and work opportunities within the school and community, designed to help students discover their interests and secure employment.
• Academic Course Offerings Academic classes including Mathematics (Algebra 2, Precalculus, Statistics, Technical Math), English (College English, Literature courses), Science (Anatomy, Chemistry, Environmental Science), and Social Studies. Includes College Credit Plus options.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98.7% 4-Year Graduation Rate
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Edison State Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollege credit agreements allowing students to earn semester hours upon successful completion. Medical Careers Academy students can earn up to 3 CTAG credit hours and access EMT/Phlebotomy certification pathway.
• Edison State Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComputer Information Technologies program: Earn up to 19 Semester Hour Credits and up to 13 Semester Credit Hours in Microsoft applications and Programming.
• Edison State Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing and Machining Technologies: Earn up to 12 Semester Credit Hours.
• Edison State Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRobotics and Automation program: Earn up to 9 semester hours.
• Edison State Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSports Medicine program: Earn up to 7 Semester Hours.
• Edison State Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPre-Engineering and Design Technologies: Earn up to 13 semester hours.
• Edison State Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHVAC/R program: Earn up to 21 semester hours.
• Clark State Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAg & Power Technologies program: Earn up to 3 semester hours. Cosmetology program: College credit agreements available.
• Clark State Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape & Natural Resources program: Earn up to 4 semester hours.
• Sinclair Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction Technologies program: College credit agreements. Culinary Arts: Scholarship available. Manufacturing: Earn up to 21 Semester Credit Hours.
• Sinclair Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape & Natural Resources program: Earn up to 8 semester hours. Sports Medicine: Earn up to 8 Semester Hours.
• Sinclair Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRobotics and Automation program: Earn up to 6 semester hours.
• Sinclair Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPre-Engineering and Design Technologies: Earn up to 11 semester hours.
• University of Northwestern OhiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAg & Power Technologies program: Earn up to 9 semester hours. Robotics and Automation program: College credit available.
• Columbus State Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape & Natural Resources program: Earn up to 8 semester hours. Construction Technologies: College agreements available.
• Hocking CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction Technologies program: College agreements available.
• US Department of Labor, Bureau of ApprenticeshipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal apprenticeship program approval for School-to-Apprenticeship program covering CNC Technology, Carpentry, Electrical Trades, Environmental Occupations, Design and Digital Print Technologies, HVAC/R, Ag and Power Technology, Welding, and Electronics.
• SkillsUSAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer Technical Student Organization providing leadership development and competitive events. UVCC has national SkillsUSA Chapter Recognition with 24 state medalists and 11 national competitors.
• FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer Technical Student Organization for family and consumer sciences programs including Culinary Arts and Early Childhood Education. Students participate in competitive events.
• FFA (National FFA Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural education student organization for Ag & Power Technologies and Landscape & Natural Resources programs.
• Upper Valley Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunch program partner providing training office, computer lab, and on-campus work rotations for students with disabilities.
• Van Crest | Upper ValleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunch program partner providing training office, computer lab, and on-campus work rotations for students with disabilities.
• El SombrerominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunch program partner providing training on food safety and preparation.
• RT IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner providing oversight and continued support for Launch program interns gaining employment.
• Shelby County Board of Developmental Disabilities (SCBDD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal agency providing oversight and continued support for Launch program interns.
• Miami County Board of Developmental DisabilitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal agency providing oversight and continued support for Launch program interns.
• NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research)coreTechnology or IntegrationHVAC/R program is NCCER certified and nationally recognized for excellence and innovation in construction education.
• Marianna (Beauty Supply)minorOthersCosmetology student kit supplier - kits must be purchased directly through Marianna.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves17 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Miami Valley Career Technology Center: Public career-technical education center serving students in the Miami Valley region of Ohio, including multiple overlapping counties with UVCC. Offers a comparable mix of high school career-tech programs, adult education, and satellite partnerships with associate school districts.
• Apollo Career Center: Ohio public career-technical center offering high school and adult education programs in trades, healthcare, and technical fields. Comparable in scale, structure, and mission to UVCC within the same state CTE system.
• Butler Tech: Ohio public career-technical education district serving high school students and adult learners with similar program offerings in trades, healthcare, IT, and engineering. Comparable governance and associate-district structure.
• Warren County Career Center: Ohio public career-technical center with high school and adult education programs covering trades and technical fields. Comparable size and operational structure, though serving a different southwestern Ohio county cluster.
• Tolles Career & Technical Center: Ohio public career-technical education center serving multiple associate school districts with similar program breadth, apprenticeship pathways, and adult education offerings. Operates with comparable governance as a joint vocational school district.
• Great Oaks Career Campuses: Large Ohio public career-technical education provider serving multiple associate school districts with high school career-tech, adult education, and corporate training. Directly comparable operating model and program breadth to UVCC.

Regional players

• Sinclair Community College: Ohio community college that is a current UVCC college-credit partner. Serves overlapping adult learner and workforce development populations in the Dayton region with broader post-secondary credentialing, providing an alternative pathway to UVCC's adult programs.
• Edison State Community College: Ohio community college and primary UVCC credit-transfer partner for nearly all career-tech programs. Represents the strongest post-secondary pathway alternative for UVCC graduates and a comparable workforce development provider in the same service region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/uvjvs
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHVFDCIyqJ3BWPlEUX-Q4_g
• Facebookfacebook.com/2053592
• Instagraminstagram.com/uppervalleycareercenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Upper Valley Joint Vocational School