Role of Manufacturing Leadership in Education and Workforce Development Alignment

Hearings continued this week on HB 512, which would straighten out the fragmented accountability system for Ohio education and workforce development.

One testifier, Ron Iarussi, Superintendent of the Mahoning Valley Education Service Center, as well as the region’s Career Technical Center, discussed the important role of business, and manufacturing in specific, in aligning accountability regionally:

“In the valley, we are also fortunate to have the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition, a group of manufacturers that have put aside competition to help ensure there is a more skilled workforce for the jobs available in manufacturing now, and in the future.

As a result of conversations with the Coalition, we have been able to work with middle schools to establish career exploration and STEM education, exposing students to available jobs particularly in manufacturing. Our local high schools and career centers are helping students gain NIMS and MSSC industry credentials and the opportunity to participate in internships and apprenticeships. We now have opportunities for students to gain college credit in order to advance opportunities in a career in manufacturing.

These programs are all a result of conversations and collaboration among K-12, Higher Ed and Workforce Development, all led by the Manufacturers Coalition.”

Iarussi called for structural reform at the state level to support collaboration and alignment in the state’s regions. 3/1/2018