Workforce Management

Ohio Workforce Voucher Bill Introduced

Legislation was recently introduced in the Ohio Senate to create a workforce voucher program designed to to fill in-demand jobs, including certain manufacturing positions.

Senate Bill 5 would require the Ohio Department of Development to award vouchers to students at public and private institutions of higher education seeking degrees and licenses for jobs deemed to be in demand. The bill is currently before the Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee. Read the bill summary. 3/15/2023

Ohio Business Groups Support Affordable Housing Plan

With the lack of affordable housing being an obstacle to attracting talent in many Ohio communities, business groups this week voiced support for House Bill 3, which would authorize an affordable housing tax credit. See the bill summary.

At a March 14 hearing held by the House Economic and Workforce Development Committee, Ann Aquillo testified on behalf of the OMA. She told lawmakers that HB 3 would add another resource to Ohio’s workforce arsenal. Read Aquillo’s testimony. 3/14/2023

Ohio Manufacturers’ Workforce Summit Set for Nov. 8

In case you haven’t yet heard, the OMA has announced that the 2023 Ohio Manufacturers’ Workforce Summit will be held Nov. 8 at the Quest Conference Center in Westerville.

Launched in 2017, the summit offers resources and new ideas to manufacturers and their workforce partners, suppliers, advocates, and champions to enhance workforce skills and attract talent. Stay tuned for program and registration details. 3/15/2023

Demographics: The Biggest Workforce Hurdle?

Bloomberg has published this in-depth look at the U.S. skilled labor shortage with a story told from Ohio. The article spotlights Intel’s project in Licking County.

According to Bloomberg, America’s demographics “are conspiring against its economic ambitions” as the working-age population shrank in 2018 for the first time since at least 1960.

Some experts are calling for a national human resources strategy — one that could include an overhaul of immigration policy or raising retirement age. 3/13/2023

OMA Workforce Chair Highlights Budget Opportunities

In a March 5 editorial published at Cleveland.com and in The Plain Dealer, OMA Workforce Leadership Committee Chair Geoff Lipnevicius makes his case for the workforce investments proposed in Gov. Mike DeWine’s fiscal 2024-25 budget.

Lipnevicius, the senior manager of organizational effectiveness at Lincoln Electric, detailed the DeWine-Husted budget’s historic $684.4 million workforce allocation. Read the full editorial. 3/6/2023

OMA Works With ISPs to Advocate for Workforce Investments

Over the past few weeks, OMA staff has provided key information to OMA-endorsed Industry Sector Partnerships regarding the workforce-related provisions in Gov. Mike DeWine’s state budget plan.

OMA Workforce Services provided ISPs with this advocacy toolkit so manufacturers can effectively advocate for the investments in the governor’s budget. All OMA members are encouraged to contact their state representative and senator in support of the workforce provisions. 3/8/2023

Ohio to Work Surpasses Goals

Ohio To Work, the statewide effort to grow Ohio’s talent pool, has exceeded expectations, according to reports. Gov. Mike DeWine and JobsOhio recently reported the following results:

• 211,365 job seekers served (352% of goal);
• 19,192 job seekers enrolled in reskilling (383% of goal); and
• 26,114 job seekers placed (186% of goal).

Manufacturing is a key focus of this initiative. Check out JobsOhio’s report. Employers can click here for information on how to participate. 3/7/2023

35×30 Campaign Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

The Manufacturing Institute is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its 35×30 campaign, which aims to grow the percentage of women in manufacturing from 29% to 35% by 2030. To learn more, email the Institute’s Sarah Shields.

In related news, the Institute recently announced its 2023 Women MAKE Award honorees and emerging leaders — several of whom are with OMA member companies. 3/9/2023

Ohio Senate Passes K-12 Education Redesign Bill

On a 26-7 vote, the Ohio Senate has approved Senate Bill 1, an OMA-supported bill to place more focus on career-technical education and workforce training.

Specifically, SB 1 would establish the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, which would have two divisions — one overseeing traditional K-12, and one overseeing career-technical education. The department would be directly accountable to the governor, as opposed to the State Board of Education. See this summary for details.

The bill now moves to the House for its consideration.

Meanwhile, the Legislative Service Commission has published this infographic to illustrate Ohio’s K-12 spending trends. 3/1/2023

At a Glance: Ohio’s Career-Tech Education

More than 127,000 high school students pursued a career-technical education (CTE) at Ohio’s career centers during the 2021-22 school year. That number has held mostly steady over the past four years, according to this data from the U.S. Department of Education, which breaks down CTE participation by gender and education level.

In 2020-21, 56.2% of Ohio’s secondary CTE students were male; 43.8% were female.

The Manufacturing Institute recently published this report on the role of CTE in attracting talent to manufacturing careers. 3/2/2023