Workforce Management

Say Cheese! OMA Wants Your Manufacturing Pics

The OMA often needs great photos that showcase Ohio’s manufacturing settings — for example, to promote our upcoming Ohio Manufacturers’ Workforce Summit set for Oct. 29.

If you have photos you’re able to share, please send them our way. We especially love photos of students in your facility, as well as shots of high-demand occupations, including welding, machining, industrial maintenance, robotics, and automation.

We have a few tips, but are open to your discretion. Horizontal photos are best, sized to 1024 x 768 pixels, or 1400 x 1050 pixels, while .png or .jpg image files are preferred. Send them via email to this inbox. 9/3/2019

Apprenticeship Webinar Set for Wednesday, Sept. 11

This Wednesday, Sept. 11, the OMA will host a special webinar to spotlight “earn-and-learn” programs and expanded apprenticeship models that can help address today’s workforce challenges.

As we’ve previously reported, the Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Partnership (OMWP) — led by the OMA and Ohio TechNet — was recently awarded a $12 million U.S. Department of Labor grant as part of an effort to expand the use of apprenticeships in key industry sectors. This webinar will provide insight into how industry-led sector partnerships will be the system for achieving apprenticeship expansion goals, while also providing an overview of the required components of OMWP apprenticeships. In addition, the webinar will present how national partners will provide technical assistance and third-party validation and certification of local apprenticeship programs.

To register, call (800) 662-4463 or click here. 9/4/2019

Still Time to Take Ohio’s In-Demand Jobs Survey

InnovateOhio and the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation are still gathering feedback ahead of the creation of the state’s new In-Demand Jobs list. The survey is open through September and can be found here.

Survey results will shape the new in-demand jobs list, which will be published at the end of 2019 to help training providers, educators, and workforce professionals learn the hiring needs of Ohio employers. 9/3/2019

Certificates, Licenses Boost Workforce Participation

Manufacturers have long known the value of skills certification. Now here’s more proof. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that labor force participation rates are substantially higher for people who have a professional certification or occupational license compared to those without such credentials.

In 2018, the U.S. workforce participation rate was 87.7% for workers who had such credentials, compared with 57.8% for those without. Those with certifications or licenses had higher participation rates, regardless of education level. See the BLS chart for the comparisons. 9/5/2019

New Documentary Spotlights Ohio’s Career-Tech Education

It’s estimated that only 40% of Ohioans are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow — including jobs in manufacturing. That’s why on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 8 p.m. (EDT), Ohio’s public television stations will showcase our state’s vibrant career-tech learning community in a new documentary, The Career Path Less Taken. The program provides a look at Ohio’s innovative career-tech education programs (CTE) that are preparing young people for in-demand jobs. It also challenges traditional notions of success by demonstrating there are many pathways to skilled jobs that do not require a four-year college degree.

If you don’t want to wait until Sept. 5, watch a short preview or the full 27-minute documentary online. 8/29/2019

Ohio’s Unemployment Rates by County

In July, the unemployment rate rose in 87 Ohio counties and dropped in one, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. This despite the state’s overall jobless rate remaining at 4%.

Monroe County had the highest unemployment rate, at 7.5%, with Athens, Meigs, Adams, Scioto, Huron, and Trumbull counties also at or above 6.5%. Mercer County, at 2.9%, had the lowest rate. Wyandot, Auglaize, Putnam, and Holmes counties were also at or below 3.5%. See the county unemployment rate map. 8/26/2019

Cleveland Area’s MAGNET Launches its Industry Sector Partnership

This week, Cleveland-area manufacturers — led by the Greater Cleveland Partnership and the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET) — announced a plan to hire 3,000 people over three years to help close the skills gap. MAGNET is part of the OMA’s statewide network of regional sector partnerships.

The plan aims to make Greater Cleveland the nation’s “manufacturing capital,” according to a Cleveland.com article. MAGNET research shows that between 1,500 and 2,000 manufacturing jobs currently go unfilled in Cuyahoga County, even as 60% of local manufacturers say they would expand faster if they could hire more skilled workers.

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted posted this video to commend the partnership on their workforce efforts. 8/21/2019

Manufacturing Scaling Apprenticeship Program is Topic of Sept. 11 Webinar

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, the OMA will host a special webinar to spotlight “earn-and-learn” programs and expanded apprenticeship models that can help address today’s workforce challenges. As we’ve reported, the Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Partnership (OMWP) — led by the OMA and Ohio TechNet — was recently awarded a $12 million U.S. Department of Labor grant as part of the administration’s effort to expand apprenticeships on a national scale in key industry sectors.

The webinar will give participants insight into how OMA-supported, industry-led regional sector partnerships will be the system for achieving apprenticeship expansion goals. Register here or call (800) 662-4463 for more details. 8/22/2019

Survey: 60% of Employers Say They’ll Soon Be Using AI

A new survey finds that 60% of U.S. business leaders expect they will soon be using artificial intelligence (AI) or advanced automation to improve operations, staffing, budgeting, or performance — up from the 24% who are already doing so. According to a report from Genesys, 57% of employers surveyed said they were enthusiastic about new workplace technology including AI, robotics, and augmented reality. Some 30% of employers said they expect workforce reductions due to AI adoption, while 53% said they don’t anticipate major staffing changes. 8/19/2019

MFG Day is Six Weeks Away

Manufacturing Day 2019, set for Oct. 4, is just around the corner. At last check, Ohio had a best-in-the-nation 71 locations already registered to host visitors for this annual celebration of modern manufacturing aimed at inspiring young people to consider manufacturing careers.

The OMA encourages all members to open their doors to students, parents, teachers, and community leaders. If you haven’t already done so, you can still register your company as a host. The process takes only a few minutes and gives you access to resources, puts your company out front as a leader, and allows others in your community to find you. 8/20/2019