Workforce Management

Military Publication Profiles Manufacturing Careers for Veterans

Military.com — a resource for active military members and veterans — recently spotlighted the Manufacturing Institute and its Heroes MAKE America program to help veterans transition from active duty to careers in manufacturing. To attract military members and vets to manufacturing jobs, the Institute uses a three-pronged approach, detailed in the Military.com article.

Recruitment of veterans will be one of several topics addressed at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Workforce Summit, a virtual event set for Oct. 27 and 28. 8/18/2021

Call for TikToks! Promote Manufacturing Careers for MFG Day

Members are encouraged to submit TikTok videos for MFG Day 2021 — an approach that’s especially relevant to reaching middle- and high-school age students as well as adults of all ages.

The videos will be used on a new Making Ohio TikTok page to show cool things happening in today’s manufacturing.

It’s easy to create TikToks using a smartphone – here are guidelines to help you develop and submit a video. 8/9/2021

Factory Raises Wages to Combat Labor Shortage

Here’s a short summary from Manufacturing.net about the experience of Custom Rubber Corp., Cleveland, which invested its Paycheck Protection Program loans in higher employee wages to test whether or not higher wages might help solve staffing problems. 8/12/2021

Most Manufacturing Frontline Managers Felt Unprepared for Role

Only 10% of frontline managers in manufacturing feel they were well prepared when they took on their leadership role, according to OMA Connections Partner Clark Schaefer Hackett. That’s just one of 15 “shocking statistics” the firm says every manufacturer HR leader should know when it comes to the development of frontline managers in the industry. 8/12/2021

TechCred Applications Due Aug. 31

A reminder to OMA members looking to upskill their workforce: The 10^th round of TechCred is currently underway. The application period closes Aug. 31. For more information, check out the OMA’s TechCred guidance document. 8/11/2021

OMA’s Ryan Augsburger, president, and Crissy Roach, director, development and member services, (left) visit with Angela Phillips, president, and Marvin Phillips, production manager, of Middletown Tube Works this week to discuss business conditions, talent and staffing challenges, and public policy priorities.

MFG DAY Is Less Than Two Months Away

MFG Day — set for Oct. 1 — is less than two months away. This is manufacturing’s biggest celebration of the year and a unique opportunity for manufacturers to spotlight career opportunities at their facilities. By hosting a MFG Day event, you can celebrate manufacturing with students, parents, and educators any day during October.

If you haven’t already, it’s time to begin planning and promoting your MFG Day event. The Manufacturing Institute has made available helpful resources, such as tips for hosting an event and ideas to improve your MFG Day marketing.

Don’t forget to register your event by the end of August. Registering your event helps communicate that Ohio is a national leader in MFG Day activity! 8/4/2021

Deadline Approaching to Apply for Intern Wage Reimbursement

Manufacturers that hire high school interns can be reimbursed up to $1,500 for student wages from the Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) High School Internship Program. But time is running short to apply.

Current funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis and can cover internship wages through September 30, 2021. Contact the Ohio MEP partner in your region if you’re interested. (Note: The OMA has published this guidance for manufacturers interested in hiring 16- and 17-year-old students to work part-time.) 8/3/2021

A Focus on Retaining Manufacturing Employees

In his recent column in Forbes, Ethan Karp, president and CEO of OMA Connections Partner MAGNET, addresses employee poaching and job-hopping in manufacturing. He notes that a recent survey of 500 Ohio manufacturers revealed 73% of respondents see the labor shortage as hampering their growth.

According to Karp, to help retain employees, manufacturers need to gain a reputation for providing effective on-site training, while forming sector partnerships to build talent pipelines. 8/3/2021

AWT Camps Get Young Ohioans Excited About Manufacturing

Last month, the Alliance for Working Together (AWT) — the OMA-endorsed sector partnership for Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake counties — put the magic into manufacturing for 75 fifth- and sixth-grade students at its Summer Manufacturing Institute camps.

Juliana Petti, AWT’s executive director, said the camps focused on “getting young people excited about manufacturing and their next step into the workforce.”

Students completed various STEM-related projects, including learning to solder, build solar robots, and other activities. Additionally, students were able to tour multiple local manufacturing facilities. Read more. 8/5/2021

Hancock County’s Earn-and-Learn Program Focuses on Veterans

The Ohio Department of Veterans Services has released this video featuring Justin Bennett, a military veteran and recent graduate of Hancock County’s manufacturing apprenticeship program. Bennett is now employed full-time at Simona PMC, a thermoplastic products manufacturer in Findlay.

The video spotlights the work of OMA-endorsed sector partnership Raise the Bar Hancock County. Tricia Valasek, executive director of Raise the Bar, says the Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship Program is a good fit for members of the military who are transitioning to civilian life, as well as veterans looking to grow their skills. 7/27/2021