News and Analysis
Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers Coalition Meets in Marietta
February 7, 2020Earlier this week in Marietta, the Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers Coalition (AOMC) held its first quarterly gathering, which was attended by OMA President Eric Burkland. As one of Ohio’s manufacturing sector partnerships, the AOMC seeks to grow the region’s workforce.
As reported by The Marietta Times, Lt. Gov. Husted also attended the event. Bernie Anderson, president of OMA-member Miba Bearings in McConnelsville and a founding member of the AOMC, said the group is focused on training. “We need higher and higher levels of technology, and we need an educated workforce to manage the robotics,” Anderson said. 2/5/2020
Celebrate Career and Technical Education Month in Ohio
February 7, 2020February is Career and Technical Education Month. Let’s take a moment to recognize the workforce development efforts of Ohio’s 50-plus technical centers, which educate students in the trade skills, including in manufacturing. The Ohio Department of Education has launched the #CareerTechOhio campaign on its social media channels. Join the OMA in helping spread the word about the important work being carried out by Ohio’s tech centers. 2/5/2020
Enhance Your Workforce with Technology, Automation
February 7, 2020Connections Partner RSM has invited OMA members to its upcoming CFO Club meetings in Northeast and Southwest Ohio to explore technology solutions that can enhance your workforce. Both events are free to OMA members.
RSM’s Feb. 19 meeting in Independence will address on your company’s technology spend, as well as the potential benefits of robotic process automation. The Feb. 26 meeting in West Chester will explore technology solutions to make businesses more efficient with their human workforce. A light breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. at both events, with the presentation starting at 8 a.m. CPE credits are offered. 2/3/2020
NAM Campaign Will Spotlight Manufacturing Careers
February 7, 2020The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) will kick off a national tour on Wednesday called “Creators Wanted.” It’s an effort to boost manufacturing job growth by changing the negative, outdated perceptions about the industry. The NAM hopes to reach roughly 250,000 people through the tour.
The Washington Examiner published a story this week on the “Creators Wanted” campaign, highlighting research that found only about 27% of parents think manufacturing would be a good job for their child, even though the sector provides larger salaries and benefits than other industries. “The negative perception parents have about manufacturing likely rubs off on their children, who then rule out manufacturing as a career choice,” the story says. 2/6/2020
At a Glance: Ohio’s Unemployment by County
February 7, 2020In December, Ohio’s jobless rate held steady, but unemployment filings again varied significantly throughout the state’s 88 counties. According to the monthly map published by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, 28 counties saw jobless rates of 3.4% or less, compared to the statewide average of 4.2%.
The agency has also published the latest county-by-county labor force estimates. 2/3/2020
Video: Ohio’s TechCred Program Explained
January 31, 2020Today, Jan. 31, is the application deadline for the second round of Ohio’s TechCred. If you’re not yet familiar with this innovative program — which reimburses employers for upskilling their employees through the use of certificates and credentials — you owe it to yourself and your business to better understand how TechCred works so you can participate in future funding rounds.
Check out these short animated videos explaining the definition of a credential, the three key criteria of a credential, and how to suggest new credentials so your business can be reimbursed. 1/28/2020
Ohio’s Unemployment Rate Holds Steady at 4.2%
January 31, 2020Ohio’s unemployment rate held steady at 4.2% in December, according to the Department of Job and Family Services. That’s down from 4.6% a year earlier. Ohio employers added 9,800 jobs in December — led by construction (3,400) and manufacturing (1,100). The total number of Ohio manufacturing jobs exceeded 701,000 as of December.
From December 2018 to December 2019, Ohio shed 1,700 manufacturing jobs, as losses in durable goods (-2,600) exceeded gains in non-durables (+900). 1/27/2020
What Are Other States Doing to Develop Workforce?
January 31, 2020With an estimated 10,000 Baby Boomers retiring every day across the U.S., Ohio policymakers — in coordination with groups like the OMA — are taking a proactive approach to close the skills gap, focusing on initiatives to expand the use of industry-recognized credentials, grow apprenticeships, and strengthen local sector partnerships. But there’s plenty of competition from other states, all of whom are seeking to be workforce development leaders.
The National Conference of State Legislatures has published a summary of workforce legislation recently enacted by other states. This includes Connecticut’s Military-to-Machinists job training program; Maryland’s Apprenticeship Career Training Pilot Program for formerly incarcerated individuals; and Alabama’s “sweeping apprenticeship bill” that creates the Alabama Registered and Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Program, as well as tax incentives to hire apprentices. 1/27/2020
Last Chance to Apply for Current Round of TechCred Funding
January 24, 2020If you want to enhance the skills of your manufacturing employees — and be reimbursed for doing so — take advantage of Ohio’s TechCred program. The deadline for the current application round is Friday, Jan. 31.
As a reminder, here’s the list of approved credentials for TechCred. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, you can still apply and make your case for a credential to be added to the list.
Need help applying? Check out the OMA’s recent webinar that details TechCred’s benefits and operations, and explains how to apply online. 1/23/2020
State Funding for Sector Partnerships Now Available
January 24, 2020On Thursday, Jan. 23, Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced the launch of the Industry Sector Partnership grant program. The program’s development was spearheaded by the OMA to expand and enhance Ohio’s partnerships and their workforce development efforts.
Established by House Bill 2 and funded through the state operating budget (HB 166), the program will invest $5 million over two years to strengthen the state’s network of industry sector partnerships. If you are interested in working with your local manufacturing sector partnership, check out this directory. 1/23/2020