Workforce Management

Final Federal Rule for Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it had issued a final rule to encourage companies, trade associations, colleges, unions and other entities to establish industry-recognized apprenticeship programs (IRAPs).

IRAPs are high-quality apprenticeship programs, recognized as such by a third-party entity under standards established by the DOL’s new rule. Through these programs, the goal is that individuals will be able to obtain workplace-relevant training and progressively advance skills that result in an industry-recognized credential while being paid to work. 3/23/2020

Nearly 140,000 Ohio Jobless Claims So Far This Week

As of early Friday, March 20, there were nearly 140,000 new unemployment claims in Ohio for this week alone. That’s compared to roughly 4,800 last week.

Earlier this week, the DeWine-Husted administration announced that anyone who is laid off as a direct result of COVID-19 is immediately eligible for benefits. The surge in jobless claims has raised concerns about the stability of Ohio’s unemployment compensation fund, which was already considered among the nation’s least solvent before the coronavirus crisis.

Employers with questions related to Ohio’s unemployment system should contact the Ohio Department Job and Family Services. 3/19/2020

Deadline Nears to Apply for Current Round of TechCred Funds

Even in the new reality ushered by COVID-19, Ohio manufacturers are encouraged to consider applying for TechCred — an OMA-supported, state-run program that reimburses employers (up to $2,000 per employee) to upskill employees, even while they may be unable to perform their typical day-to-day duties. Many of these trainings can be completed online.

The current application period is open through March 31. Employers can receive up to $30,000 per funding round. Here’s more information. 3/17/2020

OMA-Endorsed Sector Partnerships Get Media Spotlight

In case you missed it, there were multiple news reports this week on the OMA’s endorsement of the Dayton Region Manufacturing Workforce Partnership, as well as the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition.

These are just two of Ohio’s local industry sector partnerships that are transforming how Ohio manufacturers attract and develop workers. The OMA’s revised partnership directory shows which partnerships have earned the OMA’s endorsement following a comprehensive review and vote by the OMA’s Workforce Leadership Committee, which considered eight endorsement criteria. 3/11/2020

Examining Ohio’s Labor Force Participation

Besides increasing migration into the state, the primary way to grow Ohio’s labor force is to expand labor force participation — currently around 62%. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has released a report exploring factors related to labor force participation. Findings include:

• The largest pool of Ohio’s non-participants is comprised of those with a high school diploma or equivalent.
• A significant number of non-participants report having a disability.
• Nationally, prescription opioids accounted for 44% of the decline in male labor force participation from 2001 to 2015, according to one study.

See the full report. 3/9/2020

Reminder: March 31 Deadline for Current Round of TechCred

Ohio manufacturers who are interested in participating in the innovative TechCred program currently have until March 31 to be reimbursed for upskilling their employees. Under TechCred, employers receive up to $2,000 for each current or new employee who earns a qualified credential (up to $30,000 per employer, per funding round). Here’s more information. 3/10/2020

Feds Finalize Rule Overhauling Apprenticeship Program

This week, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a final rule updating the process by which apprenticeship programs are evaluated in the U.S. According to an article in HR Dive, the rule largely maintains the proposals outlined in DOL’s 2019 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, establishing a system to supplement the department’s existing system of apprenticeship recognition. It takes effect May 11. 3/12/2020

Time to Register Your In-Demand Jobs Week Event

How will your business participate in Ohio’s In-Demand Jobs Week, set for May 4-8? This statewide event provides the opportunity to highlight manufacturing careers for students, parents and educators.

Add your In-Demand Jobs Week event to the interactive map by emailing event organizers with your company’s event name, date/time, address, and a short description. 3/10/2020

New Directory Lists OMA-Endorsed Sector Partnerships

To grow Ohio’s manufacturing talent, the OMA coordinates and supports the state’s network of industry-led, regional sector partnerships. By fostering collaboration and resource-sharing among manufacturers, these local partnerships are transforming how Ohio attracts and develops manufacturing workers.

This updated directory lists the partnerships that have earned the OMA’s endorsement following a comprehensive review and vote by the OMA’s Workforce Leadership Committee, which considered eight endorsement criteria. The OMA is working with endorsed partnerships on strategies such as:

• Ensuring career readiness by connecting training to specific industry-recognized credentials.
• Engaging under-represented populations in manufacturing.
• Developing flexible, innovative, work-and-learn programs that provide on-the-job training and mentorship.

New and emerging partnerships can earn the OMA’s endorsement. Email us for more information. 3/3/2020

Reminder: New TechCred Round is Underway

Ohio manufacturers who are interested in participating in the innovative TechCred program currently have until March 31 to be reimbursed for upskilling their employees. Under TechCred, employers receive up to $2,000 for each current or new employee who earns a qualified credential (up to $30,000 per employer, per funding round). Here’s more information. 3/5/2020