Workforce Management

Host a Teacher at Your Workplace This Summer

The Ohio STEM Learning Network is still looking for manufacturers who are interested in hosting a K-12 teacher as part of the Manufacturing and Engineering Externship Program (MEEP). Under the program, a select group of Ohio educators will complete an externship in a local STEM industry and create new lessons for their classroom. This is a short-term commitment; businesses will host one or two local educators onsite for three to five days this summer. It’s an excellent opportunity for manufacturers to collaborate with teachers to address local workforce challenges. Learn more here. 3/5/2020

Still Time to Weigh in on OMA Workforce Initiative

An OMA survey is currently being conducted to gather member input about a statewide initiative to attract and train individuals for manufacturing careers. If you have direct responsibility and/or influence in your company regarding decisions related to recruiting, hiring, training, or workforce development initiatives, it’s especially important we hear from you. The survey is anonymous, takes just 5 to 10 minutes, and closes at 10 p.m. Tuesday, March 10.

Click here to provide your feedback. 3/4/2020

New Round of TechCred Starts March 2

Beginning Monday, March 2, Ohio employers who are interested in participating in the innovative TechCred program will have another opportunity to be reimbursed for upskilling their employees. The program is overseen by the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, who announced this week that during the January application period, 255 employer applications were approved, resulting in 1,611 credentials.

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). Businesses of all sizes are eligible. Learn more. 2/27/2020

OMA Member Survey on Workforce Development Initiative Coming Next Week

On Tuesday, March 3, be on the lookout for an email from OMA President Eric Burkland with a link to a members-only survey. This survey is being conducted to gather input about a statewide initiative to attract and train individuals for successful careers in manufacturing companies through regional partnerships across Ohio. The program is funded by a $12 million, four-year U.S. Department of Labor grant and led by OMA and its partner Ohio TechNet, collectively known as the Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Partnership (OMWP).

The survey is anonymous, takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete, and will close at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10. Manufacturer participation is essential to the initiative; input from those with direct responsibility and/or influence over decisions related to recruiting, hiring, training or workforce development initiatives is especially critical. (Note: Not all members will receive the survey.) 2/27/2020

Combining Four-Year Degrees With Certifications

How do we build education pathways that can address the skills gap? Here’s one possible solution: Let’s embed high-quality, industry-recognized certifications into college degree programs. Read this IndustryWeek article. 2/27/2020

Participate in Lt. Governor’s Workforce Survey

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted is asking Ohio business leaders to participate in a new survey that will help policymakers develop a high school internship program aimed at attracting more young people to technology-related career fields, including manufacturing. Participate in this important survey by March 20. 2/27/2020

NAM Unveils ‘Creators Wanted’ Campaign

Last week, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and The Manufacturing Institute unveiled the “Creators Wanted” campaign — a nationwide effort to reshape perception of manufacturing and confront the industry’s growing skills gap.

The campaign will feature an on-the-ground, interactive mobile tour designed to inspire Americans in more than 20 states — including Ohio — to pursue high-tech, high-paying jobs in modern manufacturing. The tour will kick off in Cincinnati this September, featuring interactive exhibits, thought leadership forums, and entertainment to showcase the future of modern manufacturing. 2/17/2020

Ohio’s In-Demand Jobs Week is Set for May 4-8

How can your business benefit from Ohio’s In-Demand Jobs Week, set for May 4-8? This statewide recognition of Ohio’s high-demand careers provides an opportunity to spotlight manufacturing for students, parents and educators.

At last week’s OMA Workforce Leadership meeting, Emily Fabiano, director of strategy and operations for the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, encouraged manufacturers to host In-Demand Jobs Week events. She pointed out: “Nothing is more powerful in promoting manufacturing than an in-person experience.” Last year, more than 400 events were held across Ohio.

If your business wants to register an event for this May, contact the OWT. 2/11/2020

MVMC Enrolls 478 in Apprenticeship, Training Programs

Good news from the Youngstown area as The Business Journal this week profiled the work of the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition (MVMC), an industry sector partnership comprised of more than 40 area manufacturing companies working together to address their region’s workforce challenges. Last year, the MVMC enrolled 478 participants in its targeted apprenticeship and training programs — a big increase from 2018.

You have the opportunity to be involved in your regional manufacturing sector partnership. If you have questions or you want to join OMA’s Workforce Community in order to receive OMA workforce information and event invitations, email us. 2/11/2020

OMA Workforce Committee Plans Objectives for 2020

This week, the OMA’s Workforce Leadership Committee held its first meeting of 2020 to update the association’s Workforce Services strategies, goals and measures for the year.

Led by Scot McLemore — manager of talent acquisition and deployment at Honda North America — the meeting focused on initiatives that enable Ohio’s manufacturers to work together to ensure adequate future talent, as documented in the OMA’s 2020 Workforce Roadmap. OMA-ledinitiatives include expanded use of industry-recognized credentials, “work-and-learn” (apprenticeship) strategies, expansion of the Making Ohio brand, and continued development of the state’s network of industry sector partnerships.

Ohio manufacturers are encouraged to get involved with their local sector partnership to solve their local workforce challenges. 2/5/2020

Scenes from this week’s OMA Workforce Leadership Committee meeting.