Workforce Management

Becoming a Military-Friendly Employer

May is National Military Appreciation Month, and the DeWine-Husted administration is reminding active and former military members — and their spouses — they can access free employment services.

Ohio has more than 8,000 employers in its Military-Friendly Employer Registry, and Ohio businesses can receive tax credits when they hire veterans. Learn more. 5/24/2023

On-Demand OMA Webinar: Attracting, Retaining Talent

This week, the OMA hosted a well-attended webinar to spotlight proven strategies to attract and retain talent.

Experts from OMA Connections Partner Gallagher shared insights on building workforce resiliency, with a focus on culture and leader influence.

OMA members can watch the recorded webinar and view the presentation slides at their convenience. 5/24/2023

Schedule for Summer Manufacturing Camps

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has announced the 2023 schedule for Ohio’s annual summer manufacturing camps for kids in grades 4-8.

For more than a decade, the OMA has partnered with Sen. Brown and his staff to promote these camps, which are opening the eyes and minds of young people — and their parents — by spotlighting manufacturing’s many career options. Camps are scheduled for the following locations:

• Lake and Geauga Counties: June 5-9 and June 13-16
• Portage and Summit Counties: June 5-9 and June 25-30
• Ashtabula County: July 10-14, July 17-21, and July 24-28
• Mahoning County: June 26-July 21
• Trumbull County: July 10-Aug. 4
• Montgomery County: June 26-30
• Allen County: July 10-13
• Marion County: June 5-8 and July 31-Aug. 3
• Licking County: June 13-16 and July 18-21

The online schedule will be updated as details for each camp are finalized with local partners, according to Brown’s office. 5/18/2023

OMA to Senate: Follow Governor’s Lead on Workforce Investments

The OMA has urged the Senate Finance Committee to look to the DeWine-Husted administration’s proposed levels for workforce investments as the Senate prepares its own version of the FY2024-25 state budget (House Bill 33).

In its testimony, the OMA specifically spotlighted the governor’s investment levels for career technical education (facilities and equipment); Industry Sector Partnership grants; TechCred; WorkFORCE Ohio; and the Super RAPIDS program.

The OMA also reiterated its call to establish the Smart Technologies Assistance Program, which would offer competitive grants to help small and medium-sized manufacturers modernize operations. 5/18/2023

Columbus Area Designated a ‘Workforce Hub’

The Columbus area is among five new “Workforce Hubs” designated by the Biden administration, which will partner with state and local officials, employers, community colleges, and others to develop workforce training initiatives. Columbus was selected due to recent investments by a variety of industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, clean energy, and transportation, reports say. 5/17/2023

Coming Soon: OMA Webinar on ISPs, WorkAdvance

On Thursday, May 25, the OMA will host a 10 a.m. webinar to showcase how industry sector partnerships and the WorkAdvance model can grow manufacturing talent. This event will feature a real-world success story that’s being replicated statewide through the Good Jobs Challenge. Learn more and register now. 5/18/2023

On-Demand Webinar: Planning Your MFG Day Event

The Manufacturing Institute has made available this recorded webinar and these presentation slides to help manufacturers and their partners prepare for Manufacturing Day (Oct. 6, 2023) and Manufacturing Month (October). 5/17/2023

OMA Workforce Committee Meets in Cleveland

This week, the OMA Workforce Leadership Committee held its Q2 meeting in Cleveland at the headquarters of MAGNET, an OMA Connections Partner and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership for northeast Ohio.

In addition to receiving a briefing on the state budget process and workforce-related funding proposals, committee members were updated on the Good Jobs Challenge learning communities, as well as efforts to boost Ohio’s electric vehicle workforce.

Dr. Ethan Karp, MAGNET president and CEO, provided a tour of MAGNET’s new Manufacturing Innovation, Technology and Job Center. 5/11/2023

Ohio Names Interim Superintendent of K-12 Schools

Chris Woolard, the chief programming officer at the Ohio Department of Education, has been appointed the next interim state superintendent of public instruction. He will begin his new duties May 28, reports say.

Meanwhile, a bill to restructure the state’s K-12 education oversight is still awaiting House action. Senate Bill 1, passed by the Ohio Senate on March 1, would rename the state education department the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. It would also create a new director position in the governor’s cabinet, as well as two deputy directors — one for primary and secondary education, and another for workforce. The OMA supports SB 1. 5/10/2023

Creators Wanted Spotlights Ohio Manufacturing Careers

As previously reported, the Manufacturing Institute and its Creators Wanted tour made another stop in Ohio last week, engaging with students at the Honda Heritage Center in Marysville and COSI Science Festival in Columbus — Ohio’s largest STEM event.

The OMA’s Sara Tracey, managing director of workforce services, is quoted in this Honda press release and this Creators Wanted video stressing the importance of the Creators Wanted and Making Ohio initiatives. 5/8/2023