Workforce Management

Oct. 31 Deadline to Apply for ISP Grants

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, has announced that roughly $2.45 million is available under the third round of the state’s Industry Sector Partnership (ISP) grant program. The application period ends Oct. 31 at 3 p.m.

The OMA helped spearhead the development and funding of the ISP Grant program in 2019 and has since worked with lawmakers and the DeWine-Husted administration to ensure the program is properly funded. 10/4/2022

OMA Helping Shape Ohio’s Semiconductor Workforce

The Ohio Association of Community Colleges recently established the Ohio Semiconductor Collaboration Network Steering Committee to leverage the expertise of 23 community colleges to help respond to the workforce needs of Ohio’s burgeoning semiconductor industry.

Sara Tracey, the OMA’s managing director of workforce services, is among the committee’s members. Read more. 10/3/2022

Census Bureau Spotlights Manufacturing

The U.S. Census Bureau, in its week-long celebration of manufacturing, has examined the contribution of women in manufacturing, as well as the value of manufacturing credentials for members of under-represented communities. The Census Bureau has also published this collection of visual assets related to U.S. manufacturing. 10/5/2022

October Is Manufacturing Month!

October is Manufacturing Month in Ohio. And MFG Day (Oct. 7) is just days away. Here are some updates to help members prepare:

• Gov. Mike DeWine has proclaimed Friday, Oct. 7 as MFG Day. Read the proclamation.
• This national map shows every MFG Day event registered with the Manufacturing Institute, including approximately 50 events across Ohio. (There’s still time to register your event, regardless of the date.)
• Manufacturers planning their own MFG Day/Month event should check out this MFG Day Action Partner Toolkit for last-minute promotional ideas.
• As always, the Making Ohio website offers an abundance of resources to inspire students and career switchers to consider manufacturing careers.
• The OMA has published these sample MFG Day/Month messages to share on social media.

The OMA’s LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook pages — and the Making Ohio Facebook page — will post MFG Month messages throughout October. 9/29/2022

Women MAKE America Nominations Due Oct. 7

Friday, Oct. 7 is the deadline to submit nominations for the 2023 Women MAKE America Awards (formerly STEP Ahead Awards), which recognize female leaders and emerging leaders in manufacturing. There’s no cost to submit a nomination. Click here to submit your nominee.

Meanwhile, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, an OMA Connections Partner, has published this insight on how to boost recruitment of women into manufacturing. 9/28/2022

Dayton Area Leads in MFG Day Events; Ohio Leads U.S.

At last check, the Dayton region was Ohio’s leader in the number of registered events for MFG Day (Oct. 7) or MFG Month (October).

All MFG Day/Month events can be registered here, regardless of the date the event.

As of the deadline for this Leadership Briefing, the Buckeye State led the nation in number of registered MFG Day/Month events. O-H-I-O! 9/22/2022

Report: U.S. Manufacturing Faces Major Labor Shortage

As part of its America Works initiative, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that durable goods manufacturing is among the industries with the most unfilled job openings nationwide. In fact, the sector has more job openings than unemployed workers with experience.

Even if every unemployed person with experience in durable goods manufacturing were employed, the industry would only fill 65% of vacant jobs, according to the Chamber. This reality is another reason the OMA and its partners have focused on expanding Ohio manufacturing’s talent pool. 9/21/2022

Beth Hahn, Natisha Griffin Join OMA Workforce Services

The OMA has added two new staff members to boost its workforce services and ensure success of operations tied to the $23.5 million “Good Jobs Challenge” grant recently awarded to the OMA and State of Ohio by the federal government.

Beth Hahn (pictured at left) is project manager of the OMA’s Good Jobs Challenge team. A graduate of Indiana University, Beth will oversee the implementation of the grant project, while serving as the main contact for the industry sector partnerships. She has strong experience as a consultant for non-profits and is excited to join the OMA team to support and scale workforce partnerships statewide.

Natisha Griffin (pictured at right) will oversee the OMA’s compliance and finances tied to the grant activity. A graduate of University of South Florida and a certified project manager, Natisha is excited to join the OMA team. She will provide her expertise in vendor and contract management, data and systems processes, and reporting.

Email Beth and Natisha to say hello. 9/15/2022

Grants Available for ApprenticeOhio Sponsors, Employers

Gov. Mike DeWine has announced that ApprenticeOhio sponsors and employers with registered apprentices can apply for grants of up to $25,000 to help cover training costs incurred since July 1, 2020.

Grant applications are being accepted at Apprentice.Ohio.gov now through Dec. 31. Employers can receive reimbursement of up to $2,500 per apprentice for up to 10 apprentices to help cover the cost of training and tool allowances. All applicants must have both a State of Ohio OH|ID and a federal Registered Apprenticeship ID. 9/14/2022

Intel Awards First-Phase Funding to Boost Ohio’s Semiconductor Workforce

Several Ohio colleges and universities are receiving grant awards as part of Intel’s first phase of funding for the company’s Ohio Semiconductor Education and Research Program. Intel expects this first iteration of the program will produce nearly 9,000 graduates for the industry.

The $17.7 million in awards are part of Intel’s 10-year, $50 million investment to prepare more workers for the semiconductor industry.

As an example of how the grants will be put to use, Lorain County Community College will lead a collaboration of 10 Ohio TechNet colleges and universities across the region to develop curriculum, faculty training, and experiential learning programs in semiconductor processing and industrial automation manufacturing, reports say. 9/12/2022