Workforce Management

MakerMinded: Engaging Students in Manufacturing

MakerMinded is helping create the next generation of manufacturing leaders by saturating today’s learning infrastructure with a manufacturing mindset and bridging the gap between activities and programs that engage and educate students. It does this through a digital platform that connects participating students and schools to market-leading STEM and manufacturing learning experiences.

Learn more about MakerMinded here, and check out how two teachers are using it here. 3/22/2018

Have You Considered this Source of Ready Workers?

Despite misconceptions that people with disabilities may be unable to meet quality or productivity quotas, studies have shown that these people are often the most productive, as they are highly dedicated and detail-oriented and have lower turnover and higher attendance rates. In addition, employers may qualify for tax incentives as a result of hiring this protected segment of the workforce.

Vocational Guidance Services (VGS) is a vocational rehabilitation agency that works to break down barriers to employment so that people who couldn’t previously do so can earn a paycheck.

VGS works with dozens of Ohio manufacturers in a wide array of industries, including automotive, HVAC, aerospace, high tech and consumer products, in providing contract services on their premises, as well as its own. Trained teams perform a wide array of tasks including quality inspections, kitting, assembly and packaging, as well as light skilled labor, such as woodworking, engraving, heat pressing and drilling.

To learn more about VGS placement and contract services for manufacturers call (440) 322-1123 or visit its website. Go here to learn more about the federal tax credits for Ohio employers who hire people served by Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. 3/12/2018

Manufacturers Debate Education Consolidation

Members of the OMA Government Affairs Committee this week heard a presentation from Kasich Administration officials on the merits for creating a new Department of Learning and Achievement which would merge the current Department of Education with the Department of Higher Education and other state workforce offices.

The merger has been formally proposed by Rep. Bill Reineke (R- Tiffin) as House Bill 512 and is pending in the Ohio House.

The bill sponsor and administration officials contend that the current structure is fractured and is not providing adequate workforce preparedness.

Presentation materials reviewed by committee members indicate that the new combined department would cut down on duplication of services and improve coordination of education and employment training.

Some manufacturers asked why the reform is being proposed in the final year of Kasich’s term. Administration officials responded by saying that while the reforms, if approved, would be the province of Ohio’s next governor, former Governor Bob Taft agrees with the need to streamline the state’s education system. 3/8/2018

Webinar: Industry Sector Partnerships Solve Workforce Issues

Manufacturers across Ohio are embracing Industry Sector Partnerships as a strategy to solve workforce issues.

As a result, OMA is offering a webinar in which participants will hear from one of Ohio’s established partnerships, ConxusNEO, to learn how northeast Ohio manufacturers are collaborating with area workforce suppliers to solve pressing talent and skill shortages.

Register here for Setting Your Industry Sector Partnership Strategy, A Case Study, a webinar on Wednesday, March 28 from 1:00 – 2:00 P.M. 2/28/2018

Role of Manufacturing Leadership in Education and Workforce Development Alignment

Hearings continued this week on HB 512, which would straighten out the fragmented accountability system for Ohio education and workforce development.

One testifier, Ron Iarussi, Superintendent of the Mahoning Valley Education Service Center, as well as the region’s Career Technical Center, discussed the important role of business, and manufacturing in specific, in aligning accountability regionally:

“In the valley, we are also fortunate to have the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition, a group of manufacturers that have put aside competition to help ensure there is a more skilled workforce for the jobs available in manufacturing now, and in the future.

As a result of conversations with the Coalition, we have been able to work with middle schools to establish career exploration and STEM education, exposing students to available jobs particularly in manufacturing. Our local high schools and career centers are helping students gain NIMS and MSSC industry credentials and the opportunity to participate in internships and apprenticeships. We now have opportunities for students to gain college credit in order to advance opportunities in a career in manufacturing.

These programs are all a result of conversations and collaboration among K-12, Higher Ed and Workforce Development, all led by the Manufacturers Coalition.”

Iarussi called for structural reform at the state level to support collaboration and alignment in the state’s regions. 3/1/2018

First Hearing on Education Accountability Reform

House Bill 512, the recently introduced major reform of the Ohio education and workforce development accountability system, received its first hearing this week.

Sponsor Bill Reineke (R-Findlay) testified: “Poor accountability, politics, and mission fog are three flaws that lead to an outcome where policies set by the General Assembly and Governor are second guessed and operational performance is poor, which leads to substandard educational outcomes for our students.”

He said: “This legislation solves these critical flaws by aligning all education and workforce development policy in a single cabinet agency. It refocuses the State Board of Education mission to regulate teacher licensure and educator misconduct, together with other quasi-judicial duties consistent with other state boards and commissions.”

The new agency would be called the Department of Learning and Achievement. It would consolidate the current Department of Education, Department of Higher Education, and Office of Workforce Transformation. 2/22//2018

Republicans Propose Education Department Reform

House Republicans this week held a press conference to announce introduction of a bill that would consolidate the Department of Education, the Department of Higher Education, and the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation into a single new entity, called the Department of Learning and Achievement.

The head of the new department would be appointed by the governor. The state superintendent and the state school board, both enshrined in the Ohio constitution, would remain, but their policymaking authority would be transferred to the new department. The aim is to strengthen the accountability system under the authority of the governor.

Education lobby groups expressed concern with the proposal, while education reform groups praised it. The governor supports the measure.

The OMA has a longstanding position of support for reform that realigns the education accountability system so that the governor is accountable to the public for system performance.

Read more here. 2/15/2018

Tolles Proposes Adult Manufacturing Maintenance Program – Seeks Feedback

In response to a shortage of maintenance personnel to replace aging and retiring workers,the Tolles Career and Technical Center is exploring the creation of a new program: an Adult Manufacturing Maintenance Training Program. Tolles is located west of Columbus.

The Tolles manufacturing and engineering department is proposing to create a 350 hour industrial maintenance program.This program would include classes in Robotics, Hydraulics, Pneumatics, PLCs, Machining, Blueprint Reading/GD&T, Safety, Maintenance Principles, Welding, Fittings and Connections, and both Electronic and Industrial Electric Maintenance. Official certifications would be available for some courses.

As a result, Tolles is asking for manufacturers’ feedback about the viability of this new initiative. Provide feedback here.

This program would meet the demands of the manufacturing workforce by quickly training students for entry-level employment in industrial maintenance with a flexible course schedule and at a competitive rate. 2/12/2018

Lightweighting Certification Training from Case Western

LIFT – Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow – and Case Western Reserve University are offering lightweighting certification training.

The courses can be taken separately and are offered as a package:

• LIFT Polymers Lightweighting Certificate
• LIFT Additive Manufacturing for Lightweighting Certificate
• LIFT Advanced Materials for Lightweighting Certificate

Classes are offered in March at Case Western in Cleveland. Additional dates will be available later in the year.

Look here for more information. 2/12/2018

DOL Adopts New Test for FLSA Applicability to Interns

The  U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has adopted the primary beneficiary test for determining whether interns of for-profit employers count as employees under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

The FLSA requires for-profit employers to pay employees for their work. Interns and students, however, may not be “employees” under the FLSA—in which case the FLSA does not require compensation for their work.

In ruling on FLSA cases, courts have previously used the primary beneficiary test to examine the “economic reality” of the intern-employer relationship to determine which party is the “primary beneficiary of the relationship.” On January 5, 2018, the DOL announced its adoption of the primary beneficiary test for purposes of its enforcement of the FLSA.

If the primary beneficiary test reveals that an intern is an employee, then he or she is entitled to both minimum wage and overtime pay under the FLSA.

Read more about this here. 2/5/2018