Workforce Development Bill Signed into Law

On Monday, Jan. 13, at a ceremony at GROB Systems, Inc. in Bluffton, Gov. DeWine signed into law House Bill 2 — the bipartisan workforce development bill that creates the Industry Sector Partnership grant program and the TechCred program. Both are designed to help manufacturers fill jobs and upskill employees. The OMA was a strong supporter of HB 2.

Under Ohio’s TechCred program — which is currently accepting employer applications through Jan. 31 — businesses can apply for up to $2,000 in reimbursement for each employee who earns a credential. During the first round of applications last fall, 234 employers were approved, resulting in 1,576 new credentials, including many in manufacturing.

The Industry Sector Partnership grant program will be rolled out later this winter. It will allow partnerships to apply for state funds that can be used for priorities such as scaling partnership programs and funding partnership services. Across Ohio, multiple manufacturing partnerships are helping build the local talent pool by collaborating with leaders in education, economic and workforce development, and community organizations. 1/13/2020