The Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School will gain much-needed welding equipment, thanks to a $20,000 Career and Technical Education Equipment Grant from the state Department of Education.

A news release on Wednesday from the education department said more than $1.2 million was awarded to 33 career and technical centers and two school district across the state.

The grants are to used to purchase new equipment aligned to training students in high-demand occupations, the release said.

The grant amount must be matched by a local source, like the school or business and industry partners.

Regina Hiler, executive director at the Butler vo-tech, said the school will provide the matching funds to pay for the $40,000 outside welder with equipment set that was recently purchased by the school.

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