Workforce Management

Dept. of Commerce Updates Employers on Student Work Permits

As schools across Ohio begin to reopen, the Division of Industrial Compliance is advising employers about how students can obtain a work permit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minors should use a pre-application form to gather the necessary information and approvals from their potential employer and parents or legal guardian. Once this form has been completed and signed, it is taken to the minor’s school where a permit is issued.

If a minor has all necessary paperwork completed and is unable to get the permit processed due to school closure, the completed paperwork may itself stand in the place of the physically printed permit. Employers should keep the paperwork on file, just like they would the permit. The formal permit should be processed as soon as the school reopens. More here. 8/31/2020

Support Ohio’s Only Manufacturing Workforce Summit

No doubt, 2020 has been of a year of big changes. One of those changes is that the fourth annual Ohio Manufacturers’ Workforce Summit, set for Oct. 28, will be conducted online. This format change will allow for greater participation statewide, as well as new opportunities for sponsors and exhibitors.

This one-of-a-kind event supports manufacturers’ most pressing issue — attracting, training and retaining a qualified workforce. As a sponsor or exhibitor, you will have new opportunities to get your name in front of attendees, with offerings that allow you to promote your organization and engage with attendees. Learn more here.

To secure your preferred sponsor package for this much-anticipated event, email Dan Noreen or call (614) 348-1225. Registration information for the event will be available mid-September. 8/26/2020

Upskilling and Recruiting Veterans for Manufacturing Careers

By offering multiple skill sets, as well as the ability to lead and follow under pressure, veterans bring exceptional value to the manufacturing industry — even more so during these challenging times.

The National Association of Manufacturers reports that Samsung recently hosted this recorded webinar to discuss what manufacturers can do to attract and retain talented veterans. Among the panelists is George Clay, production supervisor for OMA member Sherwin–Williams. 8/24/2020

Diversity & Inclusion Technology Internship Program

This week, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted reminded employers about Ohio’s Diversity and Inclusion Technology Internship Program, which pairs college students with any company with a technology-related need.

According to the lieutenant governor, there are more than 200 scholarships available — and only 26 companies have offered these internships, which pay two-thirds of an intern’s wages (capped at $10,000). This is an opportunity to help build your company’s future talent, while also filling your current staffing needs at a low cost. Learn more here. 8/26/2020

Despite Improvement in Ohio’s Unemployment, 3,700 Manufacturing Jobs Were Lost in July

Last week, it was announced that Ohio’s unemployment rate improved to 8.9% in July, down from a revised 11% in June. Ohio’s non-agricultural employment increased by 62,700, but manufacturing lost 3,700 jobs.

From July 2019 to July 2020, Ohio has lost 48,200 manufacturing jobs when factoring losses in both durable goods (-44,700) and non-durable goods (-3,500). 8/24/2020

Ohio Short on MFG Day Events

MFG Day is only six weeks away. While COVID-19 has put a damper on this annual effort to close the industry’s talent gap, it’s imperative that Ohio manufacturers continue their outreach to the next generation.

At last check, Ohio had just four MFG Day events registered at the official MFG Day website hosted by the National Association of Manufacturers and the Manufacturing Institute. Now is the time to register your event. Remember that while MFG Day is Friday, Oct. 2, registered events can take place any time during October. (Check out these resources to organize and promote your event.)

OMA member Lincoln Electric has noted its research shows that 84% of students who attend a manufacturing tour — who see manufacturing in action — are more likely to think positively about the industry. Even if tours are held virtually, giving young people a glimpse into your facility can open minds and help reinforce a positive perception of manufacturing. 8/20/2020

OH! FAME Gets Media Spotlight

Raise the Bar Hancock County — an OMA-endorsed industry sector partnership — is in the news for its Ohio Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (OH! FAME) program. According to a local news story, the 18-month program “offers students the chance to go to work three days a week, and to class at Owens Community College two days a week” to earn a certificate as an advanced manufacturing technician.

Tricia Valasek, manager of Raise the Bar Hancock County, says: “The companies get great outcomes from this program because the students … are quickly learning the professional practices that are important in the work setting.” 8/17/2020

Time to Boost Employer Incentives for Skilled Job Training?

Scott Pulsipher, president of Western Governors University, and Michael Horn, a senior strategist at Guild Education, have authored a column urging expanded federal incentives for investment in worker training. The authors write that “an obstacle to employers investing more in their employees’ education is that Section 127 of the tax code has been frozen in time since 1986,” allowing employers to provide up to $5,250 annually for worker education costs that can be tax-deductible and excludable from employee wages.

According to Pulsipher and Horn, increasing the $5,250 limit would expedite the labor market shift toward more middle- and high-skilled jobs that will be needed due to changes ushered by COVID-19. 8/18/2020

Last Chance to Apply for Current TechCred Round

Monday, Aug. 31 is the deadline to apply for the current round of funding for Ohio TechCred. Under this workforce development program, employers are reimbursed up to $2,000 for every worker (up to $30,000 in total per round) who improves his/her tech-focused skills.

To date, 695 Ohio employers have been allocated funding through four rounds, supporting 7,473 technology-focused credentials to be earned by Ohio employees.The majority of approved applicants have been manufacturers.

See the OMA’s one-pager for details on how to apply. 8/20/2020

Ohio’s Initial Jobless Claims See Slight Increase

Last week, Ohioans filed 21,663 initial applications for unemployment compensation, a slight increase from the previous week’s 20,969 new applications. Residents submitted 359,585 continued jobless claims – 416,717 fewer than the state’s peak earlier this year.

Since mid-March, Ohio has sent more than $6 billion in unemployment compensation payments to more than 784,000 individuals. 8/20/2020