News and Analysis
New Resource: Earn-and-Learn Guide for Ohio Manufacturers
June 26, 2020The Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Partnership (OMWP) — a collaboration of the OMA and Ohio TechNet — has released a new guide titled Innovative Earn-and-Learn Strategies for Building Ohio’s Manufacturing Workforce.
The handbook is designed to assist manufacturers — along with their education and community partners — develop earn-and-learn (apprenticeship) projects to upskill Ohioans and help fill the deficit of manufacturing workers. Topics include:
- The role of Ohio’s industry-led sector partnerships in supporting earn-and-learn projects;
- The value of earn-and-learn strategies;
- Best practices;
- Tips for attracting the 21st century workforce; and
- A listing of relevant industry credentials that develop manufacturing workers’ skills and other resources.
If you have questions about how to become more involved with earn-and-learn strategies in Ohio manufacturing, please get in touch with us by email or contact your regional industry sector partnership directly. (Here’s the partnership directory.) 6/26/2020
Last Chance: TechCred Applications Due by June 30
June 26, 2020Employers that want to participate in the current funding round of Ohio’s TechCred program must apply by Tuesday, June 30. Under this training program to upskill workers, employers can receive reimbursement of up to $2,000 for each current or incoming employee, and up to $30,000 in total per round. Credentials can be offered by a provider of the company’s choice, including online training providers. Read this one-pager for OMA members. 6/25/2020
Community Colleges’ ‘Year 1 at Home’ Plan Provides Students Some Certainty During COVID-19
June 26, 2020To provide Ohio’s students some certainty (and safety) during COVID-19, Ohio’s community colleges have initiated a new effort to help first-year college students put aside questions about where and how they’ll go to college this fall. Known as “Year 1 at Home,” the new effort by Ohio’s public two-year colleges offers online instruction for first-year general education requirements at low tuition rates, with credits transfer easily.
If the current public health environment suddenly improves, making it possible for residential campuses to open safety, students can simply shift gears and move ahead with four-year, residential plans. 6/22/2020
At a Glance: Ohio’s Unemployment by County
June 26, 2020In May, Ohio’s unemployment situation varied significantly throughout the state’s 88 counties. According to the monthly map from the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, six counties saw jobless rates of 16.1% or higher, compared to May’s statewide average of 13.7%.
Meanwhile, the job search engine at OhioMeansJobs.com currently has more than 120,000 jobs posted by employers statewide. Roughly half of these jobs pay more than $50,000 a year, and about 76,000 of them require less than a bachelor’s degree. 6/23/2020
Ohio Added 127,100 Jobs in May
June 19, 2020According to a new report from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Ohio’s unemployment rate was 13.7% in May 2020, down from a revised 17.6% in April. Ohio’s non-agricultural wage and salary employment increased 127,100 over the month. The number of unemployed workers in the state last month was 788,000, down from 999,000 in April. 6/19/2020
June 25 Webinar Will Focus on Recruiting Non-Traditional Manufacturing Workers
June 19, 2020On Thursday, June 25, at 10 a.m. (ET), the OMA will host a webinar focused on attracting the non-traditional manufacturing workforce population. The webinar will explore how a collaboration of several employers and workforce development agencies in Cuyahoga County — along with the Workforce Connect Manufacturing Sector Partnership — crafted a new, entry-level certificate program to attract non-traditional and under-represented workers to the industry. Here are more details. 6/17/2020
Reminder: TechCred Applications Due by June 30
June 12, 2020Employers interested in participating in the current funding round of Ohio’s TechCred program must apply by June 30. Under this state training program to upskill workers, employers can receive up to $2,000 for each current or incoming employee, and up to $30,000 in total per round. Manufacturers have comprised the largest industry group of both applicants and awardees in the first three funding rounds.
Check out this TechCred infographic by OMA Connections Partner Clark Schaefer Hackett, as well this summary of recent changes to the program. Also, be sure to read the one-pager we’ve put together for OMA members. 6/11/2020
OMA Committed to Diversity in Manufacturing
June 5, 2020Considering the events of the past week, the OMA and its board of directors remain committed to diversity and inclusion within the industry. While productive dialog matters, societal improvements will not be accomplished through words alone. Substantive actions are needed to help ensure all Americans have an equal opportunity to prosper.
One of the best ways to do this is to make certain that individuals have the skills needed to succeed, including skills for well-paying manufacturing careers. The OMA continues its work to engage non-traditional populations regarding manufacturing career pathways, including new learn-and-earn opportunities. Even during the pandemic, the OMA and its workforce partners have continued to advance our plan to create 5,000 apprenticeships statewide, with special emphasis on recruiting people of color, as well as women, veterans, and ex-offenders.
If you have thoughts or ideas on these efforts, contact us directly. 6/2/2020
OMA Webinar: Attracting the Non-Traditional Manufacturing Workforce Population
June 5, 2020On Thursday, June 25, the OMA will host a 10 a.m. (ET) webinar to provide valuable insight and best practices in efforts to attract the non-traditional manufacturing workforce population. The webinar will explore how a collaboration of several employers and workforce development agencies in Cuyahoga County — along with the Workforce Connect Manufacturing Sector Partnership — facilitated the development of a new entry-level certificate program to attract non-traditional and under-represented workforce candidates to the manufacturing industry. Find more details here. 6/3/2020
Ohio Has Paid $3.5B in Unemployment Benefits Since Mid-March
June 5, 2020More than 34,000 Ohio workers filed initial claims for unemployment compensation last week, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). This brings the total received in the previous 11 weeks to nearly 1.3 million, or roughly 22% of the state’s civilian labor force. ODJFS has sent more than $3.5 billion in unemployment compensation payments to more than 668,000 workers during this period. 6/4/2020