Workforce Management

Last Chance to Register: OMA’s Workforce Summit

Registration for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Workforce Summit 2023 ends Tuesday, Oct. 31.

The summit, which will take place Nov. 8 at Quest Conference Center in Westerville, will feature a high-caliber lineup of speakers, including Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Harvard Professor Joseph Fuller, as well as expert panels and breakout sessions.

Register by Halloween! 10/26/2023

OMA, NAM Leaders Tour Southern Ohio Education Facility

As Manufacturing Month continues, OMA President Ryan Augsburger this week joined National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons for a visit with students at Logan Elm Schools in Circleville.

Timmons, an Ohio native and alumnus of Logan Elm, was in Ross County for the Creators Wanted tour stop. Creators Wanted is at the Circleville Pumpkin Show through Saturday, Oct. 21.

Representatives from OMA members Sofidel and Honda and LG Energy Solution also spoke to the students. Guests were given a first-hand look at the school’s state-of-the-art facilities, which are preparing students — beginning as early third grade — for manufacturing careers. 10/18/2023

The War for Female Talent in Manufacturing

Manufacturing.net has highlighted the Manufacturing Institute’s 35×30 campaign, which seeks to grow the share of women employees in U.S. manufacturing to 35% by 2030.

The publication examines how the initiative aims to accomplish its goal via trade organizations, community engagement, and “for women, by women” programs. 10/16/2023

Governor Picks Ohio’s Next Higher Education Leader

Gov. Mike DeWine has announced that Ohio Department of Higher Education Senior Vice Chancellor Mike Duffey will be nominated to replace Chancellor Randy Gardner when he retires at the end of the year. Prior to his current position at the agency, Duffey served as a member of the Ohio House. 10/16/2023

Manufacturing Month in Full Force Across Ohio

MFG Month continues to be celebrated across the Buckeye State.

One example comes from Stark County, where the Canton Repository spotlighted MFG Day activities. Students learned about local career opportunities via events coordinated by the Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership, an OMA-endorsed industry sector partnership (ISP).

The OMA has composed this list of MFG Day/Month events hosted by OMA-endorsed ISPs. 10/13/2023

Oct. 19 Webinar: Untapped Talent Initiative

According to an informal survey of Ohio manufacturers, currently running on the OMA’s LinkedIn page, more than 60% of respondents say workforce is their top concern.

At 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, the OMA will host a webinar to spotlight its Untapped Talent Learning Communities initiative, which aims to address the workforce needs of Ohio manufacturers by connecting them with individuals from groups that have traditionally been under-represented in the industry. Learn more and register. 10/11/2023

Application Period Opens for Tech Internship Grant

Manufacturing industry sector partnerships should note that Lt. Gov. Jon Husted has opened the application period for High School Tech Internship intermediaries.

Under this grant program, businesses will be reimbursed up to $5,000 per intern when they hire high school students in tech-related roles. Businesses also will be eligible to earn bonuses when students earn a credential. Learn more. 10/12/2023

Chancellor Randy Gardner to Retire

Gov. Mike DeWine’s office has announced that Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner, who had a long legislative career before joining the cabinet, plans to retire at the end of 2023. 10/12/2023

MFG Day Is Here!

MFG Day (Friday, Oct. 6) is here — and Ohio is a national leader in registered MFG Day events, according to this official map.

Meanwhile, OMA leaders are spreading the news about manufacturing careers.

In this editorial published by The Plain Dealer, OMA Chair Jeff Oravitz, CEO of Seal For Life Industries, shares his list of 10 key reasons why manufacturing careers are among the most rewarding.

In another editorial, published in several papers, OMA President Ryan Augsburger highlights work by the OMA and state leaders to build a reliable talent pipeline for Ohio’s top industry.

Share the OMA’s MFG Day/Month posts on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Facebook. Also, encourage young Ohioans and their parents to visit the OMA’s MakingOhio.com. 10/6/2023

K-12 Education Overhaul Faces Legal Challenge

A plan approved by the legislature and governor to restructure Ohio’s education department and enhance its workforce focus is in legal limbo — a development that is drawing national media attention.

Gov. Mike DeWine said this week the Ohio Department of Education officially no longer exists under current law. The agency has been renamed the Department of Education and Workforce (DEW), authorized by Ohio’s two-year budget (House Bill 33), passed and signed three months ago.

Under the new law, the governor will oversee most of the K-12 system, not the state board of education. Seven board members filed a lawsuit last month to block implementation, prompting a restraining order from Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Karen Held Phipps.

In early 2023, the OMA endorsed the revamp effort to ensure more accountability and a stronger focus on workforce development.

Meanwhile, as education policy becomes more political, House Bill 267 has been introduced to require candidates running for state and local boards of education to declare their party affiliation. 10/4/2023