Workforce Management

Tips for Employers: Addressing Workforce Housing

According to the 2023 Ohio Housing Needs Assessment published by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, affordable housing remains a challenge — adding another hurdle for many employers that are hiring.

Ohio’s new state budget established a low-income housing tax credit and a single-family housing credit to incentivize the construction of more affordable housing.

The OMA has published these tips for supporting your workforce with housing challenges. 8/24/2023

Connecting With the Next Generation of Manufacturers

MFG Day (Oct. 6) and MFG Month (October) are right around the corner. To promote company events and inspire the next generation, many manufacturers will use social media.

Pew research shows 77% of teens say they use YouTube daily, while 58% say the same about TikTok. Half of teens use Instagram or Snapchat at least once a day, compared to 19% for Facebook.

For members planning MFG Day/Month social media operations, the OMA has produced this one-page infographic, as well as sample images celebrating Ohio manufacturing businesses, jobs, wages, and GDP. Members can repurpose these assets under their own brand. 8/17/2023

Childcare Persists as a Workforce Challenge

Nearly 5.5 million Americans say they’re unable to work because they’re caring for children, according to estimates from a recent U.S. Census Bureau survey.

The Manufacturing Institute’s “Workforce in Focus” newsletter says 78,000 U.S. workers were forced to be absent from work in July due to a lack of childcare options, the most since October 2022. The Institute has spotlighted manufacturers that are utilizing creative solutions to address the childcare challenge. 8/16/2023

Workforce a Key Focus at NCSL Conference

From the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit in Indianapolis, Gongwer News Service reports that workforce development was a major topic of discussion. (OMA staff attended the summit.)

According to this story by Gongwer, the summit’s workforce discussion panelists suggested several remedies to boost workforce participation, including more investment in reskilling workers, attracting retirees, implementing new immigration policies, boosting compensation, and expanding apprenticeship programs. 8/16/2023

OMA Workforce Partners Roundup: August 2023

Here’s a look at recent and upcoming activities of several OMA-endorsed industry sector partnerships (ISPs) and other workforce partners:

• As part of the first-ever ISP grantee meeting, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted this week met with ISP leaders at OMA headquarters to discuss the challenges and opportunities in growing Ohio’s manufacturing workforce.
• OMA Connections Partner MAGNET, Northeast Ohio’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, recently unveiled its top 10 tips to transform your company with technology.
• Advanced Manufacturing Consortium (AMC), which serves much of Northwest Ohio, recently unveiled its first class utilizing the WorkAdvance model, which boosts the skills of entry-level applicants from populations that have been under-represented in manufacturing.
• In Southwest Ohio, the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Partnership (AMIP) has completed its first pilot WorkAdvance cohort led by Cincinnati Youth Collaborative.
• The Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition (AOMC) is hosting its Yaskawa Robotics Weld Training Day Aug. 16 to introduce participants to automated welding technology.
• OMA Connections Partner Fastlane, the MEP for west central Ohio, has posted a series of short-video case studies highlighting success stories of area manufacturers.

Meanwhile, manufacturers that want to partner with their local ISPs to coordinate MFG Day (Oct. 6) or MFG Month (all of October) activities — including plant tours — can find resources here. Register your event on this map, posted by the Manufacturing Institute. 8/10/2023

Webinar: Rural Vs. Urban Workforce Strategies

Workforce development is not one size fits all. On Aug. 29, the Manufacturing Institute will host a webinar to examine the different challenges faced by manufacturers working to recruit and retain talent in a rural areas versus urban settings. The webinar will spotlight creative solutions that companies have implemented. Register now. 8/9/2023

Ohio’s First All-Women WorkAdvance Bootcamp

Women comprise 57% of the U.S. workforce, but only 29% of the manufacturing workforce.

The Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition, an OMA-endorsed industry sector partnership, recently administered an all-female bootcamp through WorkAdvance. Armed with training, skills, coaching, and mentorship, these graduates will now seek careers with manufacturers. See this video report.

Meanwhile, the OMA has published these six tips to help ensure a great workplace experience for women at your business. 8/3/2023

Training Ohio’s Semiconductor Workforce

Community colleges, technical centers, local career centers, and school districts in the Buckeye State will soon offer new programs for students who want to work at Intel’s Ohio manufacturing facilities, according to reports. See this story from WBNS 10TV.

The curriculum will be shared at no cost with educational institutions since it’s part of Intel’s investment in Ohio colleges and universities to boost its talent pipeline. 8/1/2023

Heroes MAKE Webinar, Aug. 7

On Monday, Aug. 7, from 12:30 to 1 p.m., the Manufacturing Institute will host a no-cost webinar to give members of the military community an overview of the Heroes MAKE America initiative. Administered by the Institute and the National Association of Manufacturers, the initiative aims to inform veterans, active military members, and spouses about rewarding manufacturing careers. 8/2/2023

July 31 Deadline for ApprenticeOhio Reimbursement

Ohio employers have until Monday, July 31 to apply for training reimbursement grants available through ApprenticeOhio. Eligible manufacturers can receive up to $2,500 per apprentice — for up to 50 apprentices — to help cover training and tool costs incurred since July 1, 2020. Learn more. 7/25/2023