Workforce Management

Husted Breaks Down Ohio’s Workforce Priorities

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted was raised in a manufacturing family in Montpelier, Ohio. At a young age, he knew the value of the industry and what happens to a community when manufacturing jobs disappear. In this brief podcast, OMA Connections Partner Rust Belt Recruiting talks candidly with the lieutenant governor on why he’s passionate about building a skilled manufacturing workforce. It’s worth a listen. 3/8/20211

Earn-and-Learn Success in Northeast Ohio

The Alliance for Working Together (AWT) — the OMA-endorsed industry sector partnership for Ashtabula, Geauga, and Lake counties — is making strong progress with its apprenticeship initiative, which enables local manufacturing businesses to take advantage of high quality, innovative incumbent worker training.

The AWT Apprenticeship Program offers training for the following occupations: tool programmer/numerical control; precision machinist; tool and die maker; and mold maker. The program is cost effective with 100% of its expenses being reimbursable through Ohio TechCred, which AWT Executive Director Juliana Petti says has significantly contributed to AWT’s success.

The program is supported by the participation of employers such as Rimeco Products, Truline Industries, Industrial Mold & Machine, Fredon Corporation, Jergens Inc., Avery Dennison, Lincoln Electric, Fischer Special Tooling, De Nora Tech, MUM Industries, Universal Metal Products, and Spence Technologies. 3/3/2021

Stark County to Join Ohio’s Network of Manufacturing Workforce Partnerships

The OMA and its network of industry sector partnerships (ISPs) are transforming how the Buckeye State attracts and develops manufacturing workers. Now this network is expanding with the addition of the Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership — an industry-led coalition that will address manufacturing talent shortages in Canton, Massillon, Alliance, Louisville, and nearby communities. Read more about this development.

Not involved with an ISP? Learn more at the OMA’s March 25 webinar titled: “Industry Sector Partnerships 101: What’s in It for You?” 3/3/2021

Marion Tech to Launch ‘Smart Manufacturing’ Program

Some positive news out of Marion Technical College, which is set to launch its smart manufacturing program this fall. Boosted by a grant from the National Science Foundation, the program will provide students with new skills for in-demand jobs that use advanced sensors, data analysis, IT, and communications technology to increase manufacturing automation and improve performance. Read about it in the Marion Star. 3/1/2021

MakingOhio Website Has Interactive Career Pathways

Students and career-switchers sometimes need help visualizing their opportunities in manufacturing. That’s why MakingOhio.com — created by the OMA and its partners — features an interactive career pathways section that shows users how to move from entry-level positions to advanced roles by building their skills. For now, the pathways are focused on the high-demand fields of industrial maintenance, machining, and welding. Check them out. 3/1/2021

On-Demand Webinar: Manufacturing Credentials in Ohio’s High Schools

This week, the OMA hosted a webinar to showcase how Ohio high school students are taking advantage of industry-recognized manufacturing credentials to better prepare for their careers. The webinar focused on the success of Auburn Career Center, one of Ohio’s cutting-edge career centers. Scott Balogh, president and CEO of Mar-Bal Inc. and immediate past chair of the OMA, was a co-presenter.

Auburn Career Center has worked with its local industry sector partnership, The Alliance for Working Together, to build a certified production technician program for high schools, while incorporating input from the business community to meet multiple workforce goals.

Watch the recorded webinar or view the slides from the presentation. 2/23/21

Enrollment Drops at Community Colleges During COVID-19

Enrollment at U.S. community colleges saw a sizeable drop from fall 2019 to fall 2020, according to new data. Axios.com reports that students at community colleges have struggled to balance their education with the demands of home life during the pandemic. Black and Native American students saw the largest declines in enrollment, at 13%, while enrollment dropped 10% among white and Hispanic students. 2/23/2021

Recruiting Resource: Nine Reasons to Consider a Manufacturing Career

To help manufacturers attract, train, and retain skilled talent, the OMA and its network of local sector partnerships are utilizing this document to highlight nine reasons to consider a career in manufacturing. Manufacturers can use this document as part of their talent development strategy by:

• Distributing it to educators and guidance counselors, as well as sharing it during classroom visits (virtually or in-person when safe);
• Handing it out at job fairs along with information about your company and open jobs;
• Ensuring that your local OhioMeansJobs center has it available; and
• Providing it to all job candidates and interviewees during the hiring process.

This is just another example of how the OMA and local sector partnerships are collaborating to spread the news about manufacturing opportunities. OMA members are encouraged to get involved with their regional sector partnership to address their workforce challenges. For information on how you can become directly involved with the OMA’s workforce services, email Sara Tracey. 2/23/2021

Biden Repeals Industry-Led Apprenticeship Program

Last week, President Biden issued an executive order to reverse a 2017 executive order signed by former President Trump that established the U.S. Department of Labor’s industry-led apprenticeship program — sometimes referred to as IRAP — which sought to minimize the role of the federal government by allowing private companies to create their own apprenticeship programs. For more, read this summary from OMA Connections Partner Roetzel. 2/23/2021

Diversity & Inclusion Technology Internship Offers Talent, Wage Reimbursement to Employers

The Ohio Third Frontier, a statewide economic development initiative, recently spotlighted the state’s Diversity & Inclusion Technology Internship Program, which connects employers to some of Ohio’s brightest future talent while filling their tech-related needs.

From creating mobile apps, building websites, and developing social media platforms to implementing new software, conducting market research, and enhancing cybersecurity, the program can help with virtually any tech need. Businesses can hire up to three interns and be reimbursed up to $30,000. The summer 2021 application round is still open, so apply now. 2/24/2021