Workforce

A major expansion of federal financial aid is set to take effect July 1, as the new Workforce Pell Grant Program opens Pell Grant eligibility to short-term workforce training programs for the first time. The change will allow eligible students to use federal aid for high-quality certificate and technical training programs that can often be completed in as little as 8 to 15 weeks.

Gov. Mike DeWine has designated the Ohio Department of Higher Education to implement and oversee Workforce Pell, with support from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. As part of the rollout, the state is required to consult with the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board and issue policy guidance before opening the application process for eligible programs.

For manufacturers, training providers, and education partners, Workforce Pell presents a significant opportunity to expand access to fast, industry-aligned credential pathways in advanced manufacturing and other in-demand sectors, while reducing financial barriers for learners – a major step toward strengthening the nation’s skilled talent pipeline. 5/27/2026

Ohio manufacturers face more than 22,000 technician openings annually, with an additional 15,000 technician jobs projected by 2037. To address this growing workforce need, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) developed the Technician Fast Track Program with input from more than 45 manufacturers as an employer-led approach to accelerate training, align learning with real job requirements, and strengthen technician talent pathways across the state.

On June 25 from 10 to 11 a.m., OMA will host the Build Your Technician Pathway webinar, featuring program partners involved in the inaugural Technician Fast Track cohort, including Alex Hertzer of Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition (MVMC) and Jackie Ruller of Youngstown State University. Attendees will learn how Technician Fast Track is being implemented through manufacturers, Industry Sector Partnerships and training providers across Ohio, what differentiates the program from traditional approaches, and how manufacturers can get involved and strengthen technician training pathways across Ohio.

Register for the webinar to learn how manufacturers can get involved in the Technician Fast Track Program and strengthen technician training pathways across Ohio. 5/27/2026

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association has released an updated Good Jobs Challenge Impact Report featuring refreshed statewide outcomes and new success stories that highlight the continued impact of Ohio’s employer-led workforce strategy. The report showcases how manufacturers, Industry Sector Partnerships, and workforce partners are strengthening pathways into manufacturing careers through coordinated workforce initiatives and the statewide expansion of the WorkAdvance model.

As of May 1, 2026, more than 900 employers across Ohio have engaged in the initiative, connecting more than 4,200 individuals to quality manufacturing careers. The report highlights the regional collaboration, industry leadership, and individual success stories behind these outcomes —demonstrating how coordinated workforce strategies are helping manufacturers meet talent needs while creating meaningful career opportunities across the state.

Explore the updated Good Jobs Challenge Impact Report to view the latest stories, outcomes, and statewide impact. 5/21/2026

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, in partnership with CESMII, recently hosted the Start Your Smart Manufacturing Journey webinar bringing together manufacturers and industry experts to explore how Smart Manufacturing is reshaping operations, workforce strategies, and competitiveness across Ohio. The session focused on defining Smart Manufacturing in practical terms and helping manufacturers better understand how data, connectivity, AI, and emerging technologies are being applied across manufacturing environments.

Through manufacturer perspectives and real-world use cases, participants gained insight into how connected data and technologies can support operational improvements and long-term growth. Speakers also highlighted Ohio-based resources and tools available to support manufacturers at different stages of the journey, helping organizations better understand where they are today and how to begin internal conversations around Smart Manufacturing adoption.

Register for the next webinar in the series, Building Your Smart Manufacturing Roadmap, on Thursday, July 23 at 11 a.m. 5/20/2026

Senate Bill 328, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA)-supported legislation to strengthen Ohio’s education-to-workforce alignment, passed the Senate this week and now heads to the House. The bill would create the Education and Workforce Return on Investment Initiative, giving policymakers and employers better insight into whether education and training programs are preparing students for in-demand careers.

“This bill is about turning workforce data into better decisions,” said Lindsey Short, OMA managing director of energy and advocacy services. “Manufacturers need talent pipelines that start earlier, align with real employer demand and help students see clear pathways into high-value careers.”

OMA will continue working with lawmakers as the bill moves to the House to ensure the final legislation supports employer-led workforce solutions and measurable outcomes for Ohio’s economy. 5/20/2026

This week, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association convened partners from across the state to celebrate the impact and momentum of the Good Jobs Challenge initiative. The event brought together manufacturers and Industry Sector Partnership leaders to reflect on the collaborative efforts that have connected thousands of Ohioans to manufacturing career opportunities through employer-led workforce strategies.

Throughout the event, partners highlighted the strength of Ohio’s coordinated workforce system and the impact of models like WorkAdvance in expanding access to training, placement, and career advancement opportunities. The celebration also recognized the employers and regional partners whose leadership helped drive results across the state and strengthen pathways into manufacturing careers.

Explore the Good Jobs Challenge Impact Report and Celebration Video to learn more about the initiative’s statewide impact, partner collaboration, and participant success stories. 5/13/2026

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) convened its Workforce Committee this week, bringing together manufacturers, ISPs, education leaders, and workforce partners to discuss employer-led workforce solutions shaping Ohio’s manufacturing sector. The meeting featured updates on Technician Fast Track, OMA’s new one-year earn-and-learn technician program launching this summer through pilot ISPs, as well as discussions around AI and Smart Manufacturing adoption across the industry.

Manufacturers participated in peer discussions on how AI technologies are impacting operations and workforce development, while AI Owl shared its partnership with OMA to embed practical AI competencies into workforce programs. Additional updates included the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s new CTE Access Grant to expand WorkAdvance into high schools and Ohio Technical Centers, along with workforce policy updates from Tyler Jones, Legislative Assistant for U.S. Senator Jon Husted, on childcare provisions included in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act.

Register for the next OMA Workforce Committee meeting on Aug. 12 to engage in discussions on the workforce priorities and strategies impacting Ohio manufacturers. 5/13/2026

The Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition, an OMA-Endorsed Industry Sector Partnership, recently hosted its first BattleBots competition in Marietta, giving students the opportunity to design, build, and test robots while applying real-world STEM and manufacturing skills. The event brought students together for hands-on learning experiences that encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity while increasing awareness of modern manufacturing careers.

Events like this help manufacturers connect with students in engaging and meaningful ways while showcasing the technical and innovative nature of today’s manufacturing industry. By combining competition-based learning with industry engagement, the BattleBots event highlighted how hands-on experiences can spark early interest in engineering, robotics, skilled trades, and advanced manufacturing career pathways. 5/12/2026

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) this week applauded the Senate Education Committee’s unanimous passage of Senate Bill 328, OMA-supported legislation aimed at strengthening Ohio’s education-to-workforce alignment through expanded career exploration, improved coaching consistency and greater transparency on workforce outcomes.

The bill would create the Education and Workforce Return on Investment Initiative, require structured middle school career exploration and establish a statewide career coaching framework to better connect education pathways with labor market demand.

“This is about building the talent pipeline earlier and with greater clarity,” said Lindsey Short, OMA managing director of energy and advocacy services. “When students understand how coursework connects to real careers and employers are part of the process, outcomes improve for families and for Ohio’s economy.”

Senate Bill 328 now heads to the full Senate before moving to the House for consideration. OMA said sustainable funding, phased implementation and strong employer partnerships, including through its Career Ambassador Program, will be essential to ensuring the legislation delivers measurable workforce results. 5/14/2026

At this year’s SME FUSION Conference, held in Nashville, national leaders across manufacturing, education, and workforce development came together to address the industry’s most pressing talent challenges. The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA), alongside key statewide partners, took the stage to present the Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint — an ambitious, industry-driven strategy designed to strengthen and future-proof Ohio’s manufacturing talent pipeline.

Ohio’s mission is clear: to build a dynamic, future-ready workforce that evolves alongside innovation and reinforces the state’s position as a modern manufacturing powerhouse. The session featured perspectives from leaders representing education, industry, and economic development, including Terri Sandu with Ohio TechNet and Lorain County Community College, Shawn Hendrix with JobsOhio, Kyle Fulton with the Central Ohio Manufacturing Partnership, and Lauren Massie with OMA.

OMA’s presence at SME FUSION underscores Ohio’s national leadership in workforce innovation and its ongoing commitment to ensuring manufacturers have access to the talent needed to succeed — today and into the future. 5/7/2026

As manufacturers navigate an increasingly data-driven and connected environment, Smart Manufacturing — alongside the growing role of AI — is becoming essential to staying competitive and responsive. In partnership with CESMII, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association is launching a three-part webinar series designed to provide a clear entry point for manufacturers exploring Smart Manufacturing technologies.

The series is structured to guide manufacturers through a clear journey — from foundational awareness to practical roadmapping and action-oriented next steps. Each session is designed to help participants understand what Smart Manufacturing is, why it matters to their operations, and where to find resources and partners to support their next steps.

The series kicks off on May 21 at 11 a.m. Explore the upcoming sessions and register to learn how your organization can take the next step in its Smart Manufacturing journey. 5/7/2026

Child care affordability remains a major workforce issue for employers and working parents, affecting workforce participation, attendance and retention across Ohio. U.S. Sen. Jon Husted recently highlighted child care provisions in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act that expand tax tools aimed at easing those costs. These include increasing the dependent care FSA limit from $5,000 to $7,500, expanding the child and dependent care tax credit, and enhancing the employer-provided child care credit for businesses that help offer child care support.

Reliable child care helps parents stay attached to the workforce, making this a practical business issue as much as a family issue.

“Child care is a workforce issue, and manufacturers feel it when reliable care is out of reach for working parents,” said Lindsey Short, OMA managing director of energy and advocacy services. “Policies that give families and employers more flexibility can help reduce absenteeism, improve retention and support a stronger workforce.” 4/29/2026

In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association is highlighting Technician Fast Track, a new one-year earn-and-learn program designed to help manufacturers build technician talent more efficiently and at scale. Developed by manufacturers across Ohio, the program reflects real-world skill requirements and provides a structured pathway for individuals to enter and advance in high-demand technician roles.

Technician Fast Track combines on-the-job learning with related technical instruction, aligned to a shared, statewide definition of entry-level technician skills. This approach allows manufacturers to develop talent on their floor while ensuring consistency in training across regions. Designed for flexibility and scalability, the program supports employers in addressing critical workforce needs while expanding access to career opportunities in modern manufacturing.

The program pilot will launch this summer through Industry Sector Partnerships, including COMP, MVMC, and MAGNET, representing a coordinated, employer-led approach to apprenticeship that strengthens Ohio’s manufacturing workforce and supports long-term growth. Manufacturers interested in participating can submit an interest form to learn more and confirm pilot eligibility. 4/29/2026

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) recently hosted Midwest Representative from the U.S. Department of Labor, Danielle Vale, for a series of visits and discussions highlighting Ohio’s employer-led workforce strategy. During her visit, Vale engaged directly with WorkAdvance cohorts at C-TEC and Worthington Enterprises and participated in the Central Ohio Manufacturing Partnership’s quarterly meeting, where she noted the strong alignment between Ohio’s efforts and America’s Talent Strategy.

The visit showcased what distinguishes Ohio’s approach — an industry-led model supported by statewide alignment at the strategy level and implemented through a robust network of Industry Sector Partnerships. OMA and its partners highlighted the success of the WorkAdvance model, as well as the development of the new Technician Fast Track program launching this summer, positioning Ohio as a national demonstration site for an employer-driven workforce system.

Discussions also focused on opportunities to better align federal policies and funding structures to enhance flexibility, expand access, and scale employer-led workforce pathways — reinforcing Ohio’s leadership and readiness to advance this work at a national level. 4/22/2026

Central Ohio’s manufacturing sector is growing and the supply chain that supports it needs to grow with it.

The Ohio Supply Chain Academic Network (O-SCAN) brings employers, educators, and workforce partners together to strengthen the supply chain talent pipeline, improving awareness, aligning training to real industry needs, and connecting students and jobseekers to clear career pathways.

If you’re a manufacturer, logistics provider, distributor, or supply chain employer, we invite you to join the network and help shape the future workforce. Together, we can build a pipeline that’s job-ready, future-ready, and aligned to support continued growth across our region. Learn more or join here. 4/20/2026

Junior Achievement (JA) of Central Ohio connects educators and employers to help K-12 students explore real-world careers and build the skills, confidence and connections they need for the future.

Through the JA Career Speaker program, manufacturing professionals visit classrooms to share their own education and career journeys, spotlighting pathways into Ohio manufacturing, including paid apprenticeships and jobs available right out of high school. These conversations help students connect classroom learning to in-demand career opportunities.

Volunteering is flexible and high-impact. Participants can sign up individually or with colleagues.

“It is easy to sign up as a JA Career Speaker volunteer, and the opportunities to speak to students fit nicely within my work schedule,” said Tim Ling, senior director of environmental at Plaskolite. “Many middle school students do not know what goes on in manufacturing and are surprised by the number of well-paying careers available at all education levels. Middle school is the ideal time to start that conversation.”

To learn more about JA throughout the U.S. and Ohio, click here. 4/24/2026

Leaders from the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) on Tuesday outlined a statewide strategy to strengthen Ohio’s manufacturing workforce during the Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition Annual Gathering in Marietta.

Lauren Massie, OMA director of workforce services, and Nick Miller, OMA managing director of member services and policy engagement, discussed Ohio’s Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint, a public-private initiative launched with the DeWine administration to strengthen the state’s pipeline of manufacturing talent. Massie focused on the Blueprint’s five strategic pillars, including career awareness, education and training alignment, and expanded earn-and-learn pathways, while Miller also spoke about energy issues affecting manufacturers and opportunities for companies to engage more deeply with OMA membership.

Massie highlighted the new Ohio Manufacturing Career Ambassador Program, which equips manufacturers with tools, training and data tracking to expand career exploration in schools.

“We’re grateful to the manufacturers and partners across Appalachian Ohio who are stepping up to build the next generation of talent,” Miller said. “That kind of collaboration is how Ohio wins.” 4/15/2026

In advance of National Apprenticeship Week, April 26 to May 2, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association is excited to announce the launch of Technician Fast Track, a new one-year, earn-and-learn technician workforce program built with and for Ohio manufacturers. More than 45 manufacturers of all sizes and sectors helped define the skills needed for entry-level technicians, resulting in a shared statewide role definition and training program grounded in real plants, real schedules and real workforce needs. More than 40 educators representing Ohio Technical Centers, community colleges and universities then partnered to design curriculum that can be delivered by any public institution across the state.

Kicking off in June 2026, three regions have signed on to pilot the program: Central Ohio Manufacturing Partnership, MAGNET and Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition. The launch marks an important step in scaling a consistent, employer-driven approach to technician training across Ohio.

Manufacturers interested in learning more or participating in the program are encouraged to submit an interest form to get involved. 4/15/2026

April is recognized as Second Chance Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the importance of supporting individuals who are justice-impacted as they re-enter the workforce. Across Ohio, programs and services are helping returning citizens prepare for employment and connect with in-demand career opportunities, creating stronger pathways into the workforce.

“Every year, about 18,000 people are released from Ohio institutions,” said Matt Damschroder, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. “To support them, we have established specialized OhioMeansJobs Centers inside correctional facilities. These centers help individuals build resumes and connect with employers before release, making re-entry smoother and more successful.”

Efforts like these highlight the importance of continued collaboration between employers and workforce partners to expand access to meaningful career opportunities.

Explore the Ohio Manufacturer’s Association resource library to access tools and guidance that support second chance hiring practices and strengthen your workforce strategies. 4/8/2026

In-Demand Jobs Week is quickly approaching. Taking place May 4–8, 2026, this week is a statewide celebration of Ohio’s top industries, skills, and career opportunities. Manufacturers across the state are encouraged to host events to spark interest and raise awareness of rewarding careers in manufacturing among students and job seekers.

To support these efforts, MakingOhio offers a free planning guide with tips on getting started, understanding your audience, participation ideas, and measuring success. If you are hosting an In-Demand Jobs Week event, be sure to submit it to the Office of Workforce Transformation’s interactive map by emailing In-DemandJobs@jfs.ohio.gov with the event name, date and time, and a short description to promote opportunities and encourage participation. 4/8/2026