Ohio’s Chemical, Energy Cluster Faces Aging Workforce

More than 91,000 Ohioans work in the energy and chemicals industry cluster, according to a new report from the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Service. The cluster is comprised of 12 industries or sub-sectors, including basic chemical manufacturing; resin, synthetic rubber, and artificial fibers manufacturing; agricultural chemical manufacturing; and paint, coating, and adhesive manufacturing.

Roughly 50% of energy and chemical workers are age 45 or older, compared to 44% of all Ohio workers. Businesses in this cluster may need to replace retiring workers sooner than businesses in other industries, the report concludes. 12/4/2019