Priority Bill Would Boost Industry-Recognized Credentials, Certificates

Among the bipartisan priority bills introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives late last week was House Bill 4, legislation that would allow the governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation (OWT) to work directly with employers to develop new industry-recognized credentials and certificates.

Under the HB 4 — sponsored by Rep. Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville) and Rep. Phillip Robinson (D-Solon) — employers proposing the creation of a new job training certificate or industry-recognized credential program would be able to work directly with the OWT rather than trying to navigate the state bureaucracy. The OWT would work collaboratively with the Ohio Department of Education or Department of Higher Education in developing the curriculum, standards, or materials necessary for the credential or certificate program.

HB 4 has been referred to the House Economic and Workforce Development for consideration. 5/21/2019