Manufacturing Mentorship Program Clears Final State Hurdle

This week the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) approved the rule filing for Ohio’s new Manufacturing Mentorship Program (4101:9-2-02.1 and 4101:9-2-02.2). The program was an OMA priority in the last state budget bill.

The program will allow young people, 16 and 17-years old, to work in an Ohio manufacturing operation through part-time employment. The aim is to educate young people about interesting and fulfilling careers in manufacturing, while strengthening the workforce development pipeline for manufacturers.

Previously young people could only work in traditional manufacturing settings if they were part of a “bona fide educational program.”

The rules approved by JCARR list the tools that program participants are permitted to use in a manufacturing setting.

By clearing the JCARR hurdle the program can go into effect as early as August 20. 7/8/2020