Workforce Management

Resources for Recruiting Veterans to Manufacturing

With more than 800,000 veterans and current military personnel, Ohio is home to the fifth-largest veteran population in the U.S. On this Veterans Day, the OMA is sharing some best practices to attract our nation’s heroes to manufacturing careers. Strategies include:

• Posting openings on veterans’ job boards. (Check out this site administered by the U.S. Department of Labor to match open jobs with military occupation codes. Also, Ohio Means Jobs allows employers to identify as “military friendly.”)
• At OhioMeansJobs.com and local OhioMeansJobs centers, employers can search for veteran candidates and get information regarding tax credits and training programs available to employers that hire veterans.
• Contact a representative at the Ohio Department of Veterans Services and let them know you’re looking to hire a veteran.
• Get involved with The Manufacturing Institute’s “Heroes MAKE America” initiative. Register now for a Nov. 14 online information session about the program.
• Check out the U.S. Chamber’s “Hiring Our Heroes” events and jobs board.
• Send recruiters and hiring managers to job fairs for veterans.
• Utilize G.I. Bill-approved apprenticeship programs.

As a reminder, November is Hire a Veteran Month in Ohio. Follow this page for updates. 11/11/2022

MAGNET Gets National Spotlight

OMA Connections Partner MAGNET is receiving national attention for its efforts to promote manufacturing careers.

This story published by Yahoo! News provides an inside look at MAGNET’s new Manufacturing Innovation, Technology and Job Center in Cleveland — and how it’s turning young Ohioans onto manufacturing careers.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who attended the center’s grand opening last month, has praised MAGNET’s new facility for its ability to expose thousands of students to the good paying manufacturing jobs. 11/8/2022

November Is Hire a Vet Month

Ohio Means Jobs has announced that November is Hire a Veteran Month. Employers are encouraged to follow this page for updates on veteran employment events.

At 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4, Ohio Means Jobs is hosting a webinar on veteran recruiting, hiring, and retention. On Nov. 17, the Military Officers Association of America is hosting this webinar to share information about registered apprenticeship programs for veterans. 11/2/2022

New TechCred Application Is Underway

The 17th round of TechCred is now underway. Businesses of all sizes are eligible for up to $30,000 per round (and up to $180,000 per year) to upskill their employees. At last check, manufacturers have accounted for about half of all approved applications — and more than 2,000 Ohio employers have been approved for TechCred funding.

Read this guidance from OMA Connections Partner HBK. The current application period ends Nov. 30. Apply here.

Also, a new application round for Ohio’s IMAP grant has launched. This program helps low-income, unemployed Ohioans participate in a training program to earn one or more credentials at no cost to them. 11/1/2022

Reminder: Earn $400 Per Employee for In-House Training

The Ohio Workforce Partnership (OMWP) — a collaboration of Ohio TechNet and the OMA — recognizes that company-led, on-the-job learning is often as high-quality as traditional apprenticeships. Now Ohio manufacturers can be compensated $400 per trainee for their in-house earn-and-learn programs through funds provided by the U.S. Department of Labor’s scaling apprenticeship grant.

This first-come, first-served opportunity could fund up to 1,930 individuals — and can be combined with programs like TechCred to offset the cost of tuition, credentials, assessments, and other training-related expenses. Here’s more information on how to apply, or email the OMA with questions. 11/3/2022

Credentials Now Eligible for College Credit

It’s now easier for individuals with industry-recognized credentials to earn college credit, thereby saving students (and employers who offer tuition reimbursement) time and money.

Industry-Recognized Credential Transfer Assurance Guides (ITAGs) are a statewide transfer initiative approved by Ohio officials last year. Students who meet credentialing requirements — regardless of where the learning took place — are eligible to earn credit for specified courses at Ohio’s public institutions of higher education.

This fall, the first manufacturing-related credentials — Programmable Logic Controllers and Computer Aided Drafting — were added to the ITAGs program. For more, click here. 11/2/2022

MAGNET Unveils New Headquarters in Cleveland

MAGNET — an OMA Connections Partner and northeast Ohio’s manufacturing extension partnership (MEP) — is celebrating the completion of its new facility in Cleveland. As reported by The Plain Dealer, the $18 million project has transformed an old school building into a high-tech manufacturing innovation and job readiness center. (Watch this video report by ABC News 5.)

A community open house will be held Friday, Oct. 28 from 1:30 to 6 p.m.

Among the building’s many features are workspaces with robotic assembly machines, computer-guided routers and lathes, 3-D printers, and exhibits devoted to milling, welding, injection molding, and vacuum forming. Several classrooms will be leased by Cleveland schools for classes, including for programs that could lead to internships and jobs.

The OMA salutes MAGNET’s leaders for their vision and commitment to growing Ohio’s largest industry. 10/25/2022

Workforce Roundup: EV Workforce Training Center Planned for Youngstown

• The next TechCred application round begins Nov. 1 and will close on Nov. 30 at 3 p.m. (Here are the frequently asked questions — with examples — regarding this valuable training program, which reimburses employers for upskilling costs.)
• Youngstown State University and Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) have announced intentions to establish a partnership to design and launch a national electric vehicle workforce training and innovation center. Funding for the project will also come from GM and Ultium Cells.
• The Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition is in the media spotlight for its WorkAdvance initiative and partnership with the National Center for Urban Solutions to expand the talent pool by reaching under-represented demographics. (So far, nearly 200 people have gone through WorkAdvance.)
• The Alliance for Working Together Foundation is receiving national attention for its new manufacturing training facility in Mentor.
• James Ruble, director of the Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition, was recently interviewed by local radio about how the organization is helping those struggling with addiction to earn a manufacturing credential.
• The Manufacturing Institute is conducting this survey of manufacturers regarding current practices and attitudes related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The deadline is 5 p.m. on Nov. 1.

Meanwhile, the Manufacturing Institute will host a webinar Nov. 7 for manufacturers interested in the “Heroes MAKE America” initiative, which aims to help employers recruit veterans and military spouses. 10/27/2022

OMA, Partners Participate in Manufacturing Institute’s Workforce Summit

Ohio manufacturing was well represented at the Manufacturing Institute’s Workforce Summit, held Oct. 18-20 in Cincinnati.

Presenting at the event were Ryan Augsburger, OMA president, and Sara Tracey, the OMA’s managing director of Workforce Services. Also attending were key leaders from OMA member companies, the OMA’s Workforce Leadership Committee, and OMA-endorsed industry sector partnerships. 10/20/2022

Among those attending the Manufacturing Institute’s Workforce Summit in Cincinnati were (from left) Kelly Wallace, Tom McGraw (MAGNET/Workforce Connect Manufacturing Sector Partnership), Tori Atkinson (Northwest State/Advanced Manufacturing Consortium), Amy Meyer (Advanced Manufacturing Industry Partnership), the OMA’s Rebecca Andriani and Sara Tracey, Manufacturing Institute President Carolyn Lee, OMA President Ryan Augsburger, Geoff Lipnevicius (Lincoln Electric and chair of the OMA Workforce Leadership Committee), and Angelia Erbaugh (Dayton Region Manufacturers Association). (Photo: David Bohrer/NAM)

Appalachian Community Grant Details Announced

The DeWine-Husted administration has released new details on the state’s new Appalachian Community Grant Program, which will infuse $500 million into Ohio’s 32-county Appalachian region to revitalize communities.

Part of the grant funding will be dedicated to workforce development. (More details are available here.) The Governor’s Office of Appalachia will host a webinar at 1 p.m. on Oct. 25 to provide more information. 10/20/2022