Workforce Management

Wisconsin Manufacturers See Recruiting Success With Drive-Through Job Fairs

According to a report by HR Dive, nearly 700 companies and 4,000 jobs seekers took part in the Wisconsin Workforce Development Board’s drive-through job fairs this summer. The events, which were heavily utilized by manufacturers, were “well-received by employers and job seekers alike,” the story notes. Another round of drive-through job fairs were held in September and had similar participation across 21 locations. 10/8/2020

It’s MFG Day (and Month)!

It’s here — Manufacturing Day 2020. Throughout Ohio, manufacturers, community colleges, and others are utilizing online tools to inform students about the fulfilling, well-paying, diverse, and debt-free career options offered by the manufacturing sector. Some employers are conducting in-person events.

Gov. Mike DeWine has recorded this Manufacturing Day message, and he and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted have recognized October as Manufacturing Month with this proclamation presented to the OMA.

There’s still plenty of time to host (and register) your MFG Month event. Don’t let the pandemic halt efforts to build your future talent pipeline. In your outreach to young people and career switchers, be sure to share the resources at MakingOhio.com. The site features virtual tours, as well as an interactive career pathways section, updated job categories, and job descriptions.

Let young people know about the importance of manufacturing to Ohio’s economy, and check out the OMA’s recently published guide on how to hire high school students. Also, stay tuned to OMA social media as we promote manufacturing careers throughout October. 10/2/2020

U.S. Labor Secretary Scalia Visits Northeast Ohio, Touts Apprenticeships

U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia visited northeast Ohio this week, touring the facilities of OMA-member Fredon in Mentor. During his visit, the secretary focused on economic recovery efforts, as well as upskilling employees through apprenticeships.

Juliana Petti with the Alliance for Working Together (AWT) Foundation — an OMA-endorsed sector partnership serving Ashtabula, Geauga, and Lake counties — spotlighted career opportunities in manufacturing. Petti told reporters that “apprenticeship training is coming back in America.” She added that teens interested in manufacturing should consider pre-apprenticeship opportunities, and that AWT can help connect students to area employers. 9/30/2020

Federal Task Force Calls for New Incentives to Upskill America’s Workforce

In late September, U.S. House Republicans released a comprehensive plan to reform education, labor, and welfare policy. The Tax Foundation reports that among the 118 policy recommendations were proposals to support employer efforts to upskill employees.

The Tax Foundation writes: “Under current law, companies are restricted from deducting the costs of worker training if that training would qualify the worker for a new trade or business — reducing the incentive for businesses to invest in these types of trainings.” The GOP plan “recommends that training and education expenses that are not related to an employee’s current job be deductible as a business expense.” 9/28/2020

New Round for TechCred Funding

This week, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced the start of the sixth round for TechCred. This popular program reimburses employers up to $2,000 per employee (up to a total of $30,000 per round) to upskill workers. At last check, manufacturers accounted for more than half of all approved applications.

The current application period is open through Oct. 30. See the OMA’s one-pager for more details.10/1/2020

Ohio Manufacturers’ Workforce Summit 2020: Registration Is Open

Registration for this year’s Ohio Manufacturers’ Workforce Summit is now open. Set for Oct. 28, this one-of-a-kind event is where employers, workforce developers, educators, and others learn about solutions to attract and retain talent. And this year, the event is 100% online.

The virtual setting provides several advantages for attendees. In addition to eliminating travel and extra costs, this virtual summit offers a jam-packed schedule, an impressive lineup of speakers, and interactive Q&A. Attendees will have access to recorded presentations for months afterward. There will even be virtual space reserved for exhibitors that offer workforce training and other services to manufacturers.

Don’t wait. Register now so you can create your profile and start collaborating, even before the summit begins. We’ll be adding fresh content and updates to the site on a regular basis, so check back often. 9/22/2020

Sara Tracey Joins OMA Staff to Oversee Workforce Services

Sara Tracey has joined the OMA staff as managing director of the association’s workforce services.

An Ohio native, Sara was previously director of business and industry partnerships at Thomas P. Miller and Associates (TPMA), an Indianapolis-based consulting firm. In that role, she worked closely with the OMA Workforce Community, providing technical assistance and project management support to industry sector partnerships statewide.

Sara earned her Ph.D. in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Prior to her work at TPMA, Sara taught English at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Akron. She is passionate about career pathways that help people avoid student loan debt and provide skills they need to move into high-demand manufacturing occupations.

You can email Sara here. 9/22/2020

Are You Ready for MFG Day (and Month)?

Friday, Oct. 2, is MFG Day and October is MFG Month. This is the best opportunity of the year for Ohio manufacturers to connect with the next generation — even during COVID-19. Research shows that 84% of students who see manufacturing up close are more likely to think positively about the industry.

Here are resources from the National Association of Manufacturers and the Manufacturing Institute to help you organize and promote your MFG Day/Month event. Be sure to register your event on the official MFG Day website so the Buckeye State is well represented.

In your outreach to young people and career switchers, don’t forget to share the resources at MakingOhio.com. The site features an interactive career pathways section, as well as updated job categories and job descriptions — complete with estimated salaries and education requirements. 9/24/2020

Plan Your Virtual MFG Day Event With This Webinar

Don’t let the pandemic halt efforts to build your future talent pipeline. Use MFG Day (Friday, Oct. 2) and all of October (Manufacturing Month) to showcase your business’ rewarding career paths. The OMA has posted this on-demand webinar, as well as this slide show, to help manufacturers organize and promote online MFG Day/Month events.

Also, as you look for ways to attract the next generation of workers, check out the OMA’s recently published guide on how to hire high school students. 9/23/2020

U.S. Labor Department Spotlights Apprenticeships

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has launched its “Discover Apprenticeship” campaign — part of the Trump administration’s commitment to add one million new apprentices by Sept. 30, 2021. The campaign includes an apprenticeship job finder, fact sheets, and advertising on social media and TV in 21 states, including Ohio.

Meanwhile, DOL reports that the agency has selected the first round of standards recognition entities (SREs), which are the last critical piece in launching industry-recognized apprenticeship programs (IRAPs). SREs are responsible for ensuring quality of IRAPs, which could provide Ohio employers more tools to create high-quality apprenticeship programs and opportunities. 9/24/2020