Workforce Management

Study: Migration to Heartland Benefits Ohio

Ohio is benefitting from the population migration from the coasts to central states, according to a new report by Arkansas-based Heartland Forward. The study notes that from 2010 to 2019, a dozen metro areas in Ohio grew their educated workforce and creative class.

Axios reports the steady migration “means that smaller and medium-size heartland metros and rural areas can now attract more diverse talent.” 2/16/2022

Best Practices to Leverage Age Diversity

Baby boomers still comprise more than 25% of manufacturing employees. That’s why the Manufacturing Institute and AARP recently teamed up to study how manufacturers can effectively utilize multigenerational teams to recruit new workers, retain older workers, and ensure knowledge transfer. The study includes (see Section 4) several recommendations and best practices. 2/7/2022

Webinar: Generations at Work in Manufacturing

On Feb. 24, OMA Connections Partner Clark Schaefer Hackett will host a no-cost webinar for manufacturing leaders who manage multiple generations in the workplace. The 11 a.m. webinar will focus on the unique motivators of each generation so employers can consider these factors in their hiring and retention strategies. Register today. 2/10/2022

Utilizing a Variable Workforce to Attract Talent

Many employers are driving up wages or offering hefty hiring incentives to recruit talent, but there are other ways to compete. On March 15, OMA Connections Partner Paycor will host a no-charge webinar to share strategies utilized by a successful manufacturing company to hire, engage, and retain employees. 2/7/2022

Hiring Our Heroes Event at Fort Campbell, March 3

Looking to recruit veterans to your workforce? Consider participating in the Hiring Our Heroes career summit at Fort Campbell, Ky. on March 3. Organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, these summits focus on active military personnel who will soon transition to civilian life.

The Hiring Our Heroes events calendar can be found here. OMA members interested in attending the March 3 summit can email Ryan Blackburn with the Ohio Department of Veterans Services.

Meanwhile, employers can apply for the U.S. Department of Labor’s 2022 HIRE Vets Medallion Award, which recognizes employers that excel in recruiting, hiring, and retaining veterans. 2/7/2022

Alliance for Working Together Names New Director

The Alliance for Working Together (AWT) — the OMA-endorsed industry sector partnership for Ashtabula, Geauga, and Lake counties — recently announced the appointment of Teresa Simons as its new executive director. Teresa comes to AWT with a background in manufacturing, working for her family business, Simons Roll-Forming Co.

Last summer, AWT broke ground on its new manufacturing training facility, which will house the AWT apprenticeship program. The program’s tuition is 100% reimbursable through TechCred. 1/31/2022

MVMC Creates ‘Playbook’ to Attract, Retain Talent

The Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition (MVMC) — an OMA-endorsed industry sector partnership — is partnering with area organizations to create an “employer playbook” for attracting and retaining manufacturing talent.

The playbook, titled “The Getting Started Guide to 21st Century Talent,” aims to help small and medium-size manufacturers identify best practices to boost their training, retention, and recruiting programs. Read more. 2/2/2022

Appalachian Manufacturers Organize Mastercam Training

In Marietta, Washington State Community College recently hosted a three-day Mastercam Training class. The training was organized by the Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition, an OMA-endorsed industry sector partnership.

Mastercam is a computer-aided manufacturing software used to translate solid models into a language that machines can understand. Participants included educators and employees from manufacturers in Washington, Morgan, and Athens counties. 2/1/2022

Ohio Allocates $3M to Individual Credential Program

Ohio is spending nearly $3 million to fund 2,336 technology-focused credentials earned by participants in the Individual Microcredential Assistance Program (IMAP). The program helps low-income and unemployed Ohioans earn credentials needed for in-demand careers. Learn more. 2/1/2022

Webinar: Attracting Career Switchers to Manufacturing

The OMA recently hosted a webinar on attracting career switchers to manufacturing. If you missed this event — or want to see it again — watch it on demand.

Also, check out this executive summary that offers six key recommendations to draw potential switchers into manufacturing roles. These recommendations are based on OMA-commissioned research of more than 1,000 Ohio residents ages 18-45 to learn their attitudes and perspectives about manufacturing careers. 1/26/2022