Workforce Management

Ohio Population Trend Rebounds

Population trends have returned to pre-pandemic norms, according to new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. The Midwest’s population rebounded in 2023 due to a lower rate of outmigration and increased international migration.

Ohio is one of 11 states that lost population in 2022 but experienced gains in 2023, with 26,238 more residents. However, with 11,785,935 residents in July 2023, Ohio still trailed its April 2020 population estimate of 11,799,331. 12/27/2023

OMA Webinar: Untapped Talent, Part 2

On Jan. 25, the OMA will host part two of its introduction to the Untapped Talent Learning Community, which supports manufacturers interested in hiring and retention best practices. In this webinar, the OMA Good Jobs Challenge team will spotlight the learning community’s 2024 events. Learn more and register.

If you missed part one of the series, members can watch this on-demand webinar. 12/28/2023

Higher Ed Institutions Get $40M for Workforce Training Equipment

The DeWine administration recently announced that 81 institutions of higher education have received $40 million in Super RAPIDS grants. The awards pay for training equipment to boost regional workforce development. See the list of grantees.

“To continue Ohio’s economic momentum, our students must be trained and ready for jobs in technology, advanced manufacturing, and other high-skill industries,” Husted said.

Earlier this year, the OMA advocated to secure the Super RAPIDS grant funding in the biennial budget (House Bill 33). 12/19/2023

Experts Examine Ohio’s Workforce Progress

Ohio manufacturers’ workforce challenges and recent achievements are the focus of a report published this week by Columbus Business First. Read the story.

The publication spotlights Ohio’s manufacturer-led industry sector partnerships, Goods Jobs Challenge grant, and other collaborative efforts. The story quotes workforce experts who were featured speakers at last month’s Ohio Manufacturers’ Workforce Summit, including Ohio State University Professor Ned Hill and Harvard Professor Joseph Fuller.

To provide young people more exposure to manufacturing careers, Hill is encouraging manufacturers to hire 16- to 18-year-olds for part-time jobs. Members can check out this OMA guidance on Ohio’s Manufacturing Mentorship Program. 12/21/2023

Report: Ohio Has Invested $12.5M in ISPs

This week, 26 of Ohio’s industry sector partnerships (ISPs) were awarded a combined $5 million through the state’s ISP grant, administrated by the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation.

Sixteen of the ISPs have ties to manufacturing, and 11 are OMA-endorsed ISPs. See the full list of grantees.

Over the last four years, Ohio has invested $12.5 million in ISPs, according to Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. This as the OMA has led efforts to secure funding for manufacturer-led ISPs.

The grants are helping develop regional workforce strategies, while building collaboration between manufacturers, educational entities, and community stakeholders. 12/12/2023

Driver’s License Bill Seeks to Boost Labor Force

The OMA this week submitted testimony in support of Senate Bill 37, which would remove financial barriers for individuals who have their driver’s license suspended for reasons other than dangerous driving.

The bill would help get more Ohioans back into the labor force, experts say. SB 37 is currently pending in Senate Judiciary Committee. 12/12/2023

WorkAdvance Graduates Celebrated in Findlay

Raise the Bar Hancock County, an OMA-endorsed industry sector partnership, is celebrating its recent graduates from the WorkAdvance training program, announcing their successful job placements with a local manufacturer.

WorkAdvance is a quick, comprehensive training program funded by Ohio’s Good Jobs Challenge grant, funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. As WFIN in Findlay reports, the program provides job-readiness training, soft-skill development, and technical skills that help prepare participants for manufacturing careers.

Manufacturers are encouraged to collaborate with OMA-endorsed ISPs. Engaging with these manufacturing-led partnerships opens doors to training programs like WorkAdvance. 12/4/2023

Senate Confirms Dackin as DEW Director

On a vote of 25-6, the Ohio Senate has confirmed the appointment of Steve Dackin as the first director of the newly created Department of Education and Workforce (DEW).

The OMA supported Dackin’s nomination and the creation of the DEW to enhance the state’s focus on workforce development as part of its K-12 oversight. 12/6/2023

OMA Joins National Workforce Coalition

The OMA has joined the Industry and Inclusion Coalition. Established by The Century Foundation and the Urban Manufacturing Alliance, the coalition aims to reduce attrition of untapped talent in academic and training outcomes.

The coalition also seeks to amplify efforts around credentialing and outreach strategies to foster career advancement for communities that have been traditionally under-represented in manufacturing. 12/4/2023

In the Spotlight: Northeast Ohio’s ACCESS Program

Crain’s Cleveland Business has highlighted the success of the ACCESS to Manufacturing Careers program, which aims to help the formerly incarcerated and others find work with area manufacturers.

Administered by MAGNET — Northeast Ohio’s MEP and an OMA Connections Partner — the ACCESS program has produced 220 graduates, representing an 80% completion rate, according to the story. 11/28/2023