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.

“We are blessed to have good opportunities for grant funding,” Hiler said.

She said the new welding equipment will greatly enhance the program.

“It will make the students more highly qualified for their postsecondary opportunities,” Hiler said.

The equipment grants are awarded each year by the education department.

The local vo-tech school received a $12,500 grant last year, Hiler said.

“Investing in career readiness and career exploration is a priority for PDE, and we encourage recipients to utilize this funding to enhance and expand these learning programs, which will help students excel in their chosen fields,” said Eric Hagarty, acting state secretary of education.