Workforce Management

Virtual Diversity and Inclusion Summit Set for Dec. 7-8

The Manufacturing Institute invites OMA members to participate in its virtual Diversity and Inclusion Summit, set for Dec. 7 and 8. This free online event will feature two half days of content covering different dimensions of diversity and inclusion specific to expanding the talent pool within the manufacturing workforce. Learn more or register here. 12/3/2020

HR Leaders Play Larger Role in Recruiting Talent During COVID-19

As COVID-19 presents new workforce challenges to manufacturers, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) recently published this article to examine ways in which HR leaders are addressing the talent gap by becoming public relations agents for the industry. Some best practices include:

• Inviting parents to participate in events for students.
• Offering tours for students and their teachers.
• Spotlighting the technology that companies use to help change outdated perceptions.
• Highlighting the value of the company’s work and emphasizing a “mission that matters.”
• Recruiting populations that are under-represented in manufacturing.
• Expanding apprenticeship programs.

HR leaders who want to get more involved with workforce recruitment efforts should email the OMA’s Sara Tracey. 12/1/2020

Gallup: Finding the Right Talent Begins With Compelling Job Postings

If your business is struggling to recruit talent — or the right applicants — Gallup suggests a review of your job postings. The firm says their research shows that job postings often fail to accurately reflect the roles’ actual job demands.

Gallup writes: “Research indicates that talented candidates are attracted to jobs that give them an opportunity to apply their unique combination of knowledge, skills and strengths to make a difference. Ensuring that your organization writes job postings that clearly describe what candidates will do in the role is the first step in hiring future stars.” 12/2/2020

New Ohio Jobless Claims Drop Below 28,000

Ohioans filed 27,750 initial applications for unemployment compensation last week, according to data from by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The total represented an 8% decline from the previous week. Ohioans filed 256,776 continued claims last week, down from 263,737 the week before.

According to an updated study by Wallethub.com, Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo and Akron are in the top half of U.S. cities with the fastest recovering employment figures. 12/3/2020

Ohio To Work Will Host Virtual Career Fair in Cleveland Area

Earlier this fall, Gov. Mike DeWine unveiled the “Ohio to Work” program — a pilot project that seeks to reskill workers and match them with employers, including manufacturers. For now, the initiative is focused on the Greater Cleveland area.

This week, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced that Ohio To Work will hold a virtual career fair in the Cleveland area on Dec. 10. If your business is interested in participating, you can contact Ohio To Work here.

Meanwhile, there are currently more than 195,000 job openings statewide posted at OhioMeansJobs.com. More than 21,000 of these postings mention the word “manufacturing.” 11/24/2020

OMA’s Workforce Leadership Committee Looks to 2021

The OMA’s Workforce Leadership Committee gathered virtually last week for its final regularly scheduled meeting of 2020. Members finalized the priorities and goals to be included in the OMA’s 2021 Workforce Roadmap. Priorities will include fostering greater alignment across regions, education partners, state agencies, and community organizations to meet manufacturers’ recruiting, hiring, and training needs.

Carolyn Lee, executive director of The Manufacturing Institute, briefed members on nationwide efforts to strengthen manufacturing’s talent pool by recruiting under-represented segments of the workforce. If you are interested in joining this conversation, be sure to register for the nstitute’s Diversity & Inclusion Summit set for Dec. 7-8.

In addition to updating the Workforce Roadmap, the OMA is revising the Sector Partnership Directory. If you believe your partnership should be listed, or you are interested in spearheading an effort to organize manufacturers in your area, email Sara Tracey at the OMA. 11/23/2020

Learn More About the Central Ohio Manufacturing Partnership in Dec. 8 Webinar

Curious about how participation in an industry sector partnership might boost your workforce hiring, training and retention? Ohio’s industry sector partnerships are working to solve manufacturers’ talent shortages and challenges.

If you have operations in Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Knox, Licking, Logan, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Perry, Pickaway or Union counties, join the OMA’s webinar on Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 2-3 p.m. for an introduction to the Central Ohio Manufacturing Partnership (COMP). Learn more here. 11/24/2020

Economist: Skills, Not Degrees, Will Drive Post-COVID Economy

In an interview at Inc.com, economist Peter Blair, director of the Project on Workforce at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, expressed his concerns about a “K-shaped economy” — one in which workers in high-wage jobs return to a post-COVID growth in wages, while lower-wage workers experience declining economic prospects. By focusing on skills, employers can play a direct role in creating a more equitable recovery, according to Blair.

“The best businesses will hire on the basis of a worker’s skill, not academic credentials,” Blair said. “Given the rising cost of college and the worsening economic conditions because of COVID-19, paying for college imposes a significant financial burden on most families. As more workers opt for alternative forms of training, the future of talent management will crucially rely on identifying talented workers among the more than 50% of the U.S. workforce who don’t have a college degree.” 11/23/2020

Five Tips to Implement a Vets Hiring Program

There are many benefits to hiring honorably discharged military veterans, including enhanced workforce skills and discipline. Since November is National Veterans and Military Families Month, here are five ways — as suggested by the U.S. Department of Commerce — to hire more veterans:

1. Get executive management buy-in.

2. Do more to reach out. (Example: Send recruiters and hiring managers to job fairs aimed at veterans.)

3. Translate open jobs into military occupation codes. (One tool that can help is mynextmove.org.)

4. Support the transition from military to civilian life.

5. Post job openings at veteran job boards. (Examples include RecruitMilitary.com and VetJobs.com. Also, when creating a profile at OhioMeansJobs.com, identify your business as “military friendly.”)

For further guidance, see the U.S. Department of Labor’s “Hire a Veteran” page. It includes information on how eligible veterans in your apprenticeship program can receive GI Bill benefits. Also, separate webinars (this one by the OMA and this one by The Manufacturing Institute) have recently been conducted to address what manufacturers can do to attract and retain talented veterans. 11/16/2020

Ohio Saw 14% Jump in New Jobless Claims Last Week

Ohioans filed 24,964 initial applications for unemployment compensation last week — an increase of 3,096 (or about 14%) from the previous week. According to state data, residents filed 254,613 continued jobless claims last week, down from 260,855 the week before. 11/19/2020