Workforce Management

Revised Workforce Plan Released for Public Comment

Every four years, Ohio creates a Combined State Plan to better align the state’s largest workforce programs that connect businesses to qualified workers. This plan includes federal funds for local OhioMeansJobs centers, as well as for job training and job search assistance programs. State officials have released the draft of the revised Combined State Plan for a 30-day public comment period. Learn more here. 1/20/2020

Survey: Manufacturers Spent Over $26 Billion Nationwide on Worker Training in 2019

A new survey by the Manufacturing Institute — the workforce and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers — finds that manufacturers spent at least $26.2 billion in 2019 to combat the workforce shortage. This is the first time the Institute has calculated manufacturing expenditures to close the skills gap.

The survey found that the vast majority of the nation’s manufacturers (79.4%) are increasing their workforce training efforts. 1/20/2020

Honda Pledges to Boost Worker Training Opportunities

This week, OMA-member American Honda Motor Co. joined a growing number of employers that have signed the “Pledge to America’s Workers” — a White House initiative aimed at boosting workforce training opportunities. At last check, 420 companies had pledged more than 14.5 million new education and training opportunities for U.S. students and workers over the next five years.

Honda’s pledge alone will expand job training for 50,000 workers by 2025. 1/21/2020

Workforce Development Bill Signed into Law

On Monday, Jan. 13, at a ceremony at GROB Systems, Inc. in Bluffton, Gov. DeWine signed into law House Bill 2 — the bipartisan workforce development bill that creates the Industry Sector Partnership grant program and the TechCred program. Both are designed to help manufacturers fill jobs and upskill employees. The OMA was a strong supporter of HB 2.

Under Ohio’s TechCred program — which is currently accepting employer applications through Jan. 31 — businesses can apply for up to $2,000 in reimbursement for each employee who earns a credential. During the first round of applications last fall, 234 employers were approved, resulting in 1,576 new credentials, including many in manufacturing.

The Industry Sector Partnership grant program will be rolled out later this winter. It will allow partnerships to apply for state funds that can be used for priorities such as scaling partnership programs and funding partnership services. Across Ohio, multiple manufacturing partnerships are helping build the local talent pool by collaborating with leaders in education, economic and workforce development, and community organizations. 1/13/2020

Ohio Sees 7.3% Year-Over-Year Drop in Unemployment

From November 2018 to November 2019, Ohio’s total employment increased by 96,900 (1.8%), according to the latest monthly report from the Ohio Office of Budget and Management. Over the same period, the number of unemployed Ohioans fell by 19,500 (-7.3%).

The number of individuals employed by Ohio manufacturers decreased by 2,200 (0.3%) on a year-over-year basis. Currently, Ohio has approximately 700,000 manufacturing jobs. 1/13/2020

Employers: Apply for TechCred Reimbursement by Jan. 31

Want to be reimbursed for upskillling your manufacturing employees? The current application period for Ohio’s TechCred program ends Jan. 31.

This week, the OMA hosted a webinar in which John Sherwood, workforce project manager for the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, detailed TechCred’s benefits and operations, and how to apply online. Apply or learn more at the TechCred website. 1/9/2020

OMA’s TechCred Webinar is Wednesday, Jan. 8

As we’ve previously reported, manufacturers will soon have another chance to apply for funds to upskill their employees under Ohio’s new TechCred program. The next application period opened Thursday, Jan. 2. To assist members who are interested in applying for TechCred funds, the OMA will host a Jan. 8 webinar in which experts will detail the program’s benefits, operations, and how to apply online. There’s no charge for OMA members. 1/2/2020

Ohio Manufacturers Added Jobs in November

According to data released in late December, Ohio’s unemployment rate was 4.2% in November, unchanged from October, as the state added 6,700 jobs over the month. Ohio’s manufacturers added 100 jobs. 1/1/2020

At A Glance: Ohio’s Unemployment by County

In November, Ohio’s unemployment once again varied significantly throughout the state’s 88 counties. According to the monthly map from the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, 17 counties saw jobless rates of 3.3% or less, compared to the statewide average of 4.2%. 1/2/2020