Northeast Ohio’s polymer industry is a cornerstone of the regional economy. As the industry advances toward more sustainable materials and practices, keeping the workforce equipped with relevant skills is essential to sustaining innovation, economic growth and global competitiveness.

The University of Akron is helping address this need through the Workforce Initiative for a Sustainable Environment (WISE), a regional partnership that connects education with industry workforce needs.

Led by UA in collaboration with Kent State University, Stark State College, Case Western Reserve University and Central State University, WISE operates under the Polymer Industry Cluster’s Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub. The initiative is funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, with cost-share funding from JobsOhio.

“For more than a century, The University of Akron has been a driving force in the advancement of the polymer industry, supporting the innovation, talent and research that have helped shape Northeast Ohio’s economic identity,” said Dr. Debmalya Mukherjee, the associate dean for academics in UA’s College of Business. “Through WISE, the College of Business is contributing to this effort by incorporating the economic impact and opportunities of sustainable polymers into the classroom through its economics course. This helps students understand the industry’s evolving role in regional economic development while preparing future professionals to support a more sustainable and globally competitive polymer sector.”

In spring 2027, Dr. Dibyajyoti Sinha, assistant professor of instruction in the Department of Economics, is set to teach a course called Economics of Natural Resources and the Environment, bringing an economic perspective to polymer sustainability. The course aligns with WISE’s mission to prepare students and professionals to understand the intersection of environmental responsibility, industry innovation and economic growth.

“Economics offers an important perspective on the challenges and opportunities in polymer sustainability,” said Dr. Sucharita Ghosh, professor and chair of the Department of Economics. “Through applied assignments and projects, students will examine how firms balance environmental goals with economic realities, including costs, incentives, and market competitiveness. Our goal is to equip students with the analytical skills to evaluate real-world industry challenges and to understand how sustainable practices can contribute to innovation and economic growth in Northeast Ohio.”

Through industry-aligned courses, webinars and experiential learning, WISE helps students and industry professionals develop expertise in polymer sustainability. Eligible UA courses offer tuition incentives of up to $500 per credit hour.

WISE also offers noncredit lifecycle assessment (LCA) courses, which examine the environmental impact of products from raw materials through end-of-life. Eligible UA students and industry professionals may receive up to $1,000 in tuition incentives per course or micro-credential.

Additionally, WISE supports four paid, one-year LCA internships for UA students, contingent on partial industry sponsorship. Opportunities include a $20,000 stipend and up to $12,950 in tuition remission.

By integrating sustainability and economics into workforce development, WISE helps prepare talent to meet the evolving needs of Northeast Ohio’s polymer industry.

Click here to learn how UA’s economics program prepares students to analyze economic trends, evaluate complex challenges and apply economic principles across industries.