Workforce

Ohio higher education faculty, administrators, and manufacturers have launched a statewide effort to better align advanced manufacturing curriculum with the real-world needs of industry. A July summit, led by the Ohio Association of Community Colleges, marked the beginning of this collaborative work, centered on the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association’s Competency Model.

Key innovations include modular, stackable 2-credit courses and stronger integration of industry-recognized credentials, all aimed at accelerating student pathways into high-demand careers. Read the full memo to learn how Ohio is reengineering its talent pipeline. 8/4/2025

The Alliance for Working Together (AWT) Foundation, an OMA-endorsed Industry Sector Partnership based in Northeast Ohio, is helping manufacturers connect with job-ready talent through its upcoming WorkAdvance Interview Day.

Manufacturers seeking to fill entry-level positions are invited to participate in the interview day, where they’ll meet candidates who have completed AWT’s WorkAdvance program—a one- to two-week program that covers essential manufacturing skills, soft skills development, and financial literacy.

Employers will have the opportunity to conduct interviews on-site and identify candidates ready to contribute from day one. Interested manufacturers in Northeast Ohio should contact Sarah at AWT for more details. 8/4/2025

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Workforce Summit returns Thursday, Nov. 6 at Hilton Columbus Downtown. This year’s theme — Forging the Future: Building Talent Pipelines for Manufacturing Success — will spotlight collaborative partnerships between manufacturers, educators, workforce professionals, and Industry Sector Partnerships.

From can’t-miss breakout sessions to powerful success stories and statewide updates, the Summit is your front-row seat to the future of Ohio’s manufacturing workforce. Attendees will leave with fresh insights, new connections, and strategies to strengthen their talent pipeline. Early bird registration will launch later in August.

Mark your calendar and be sure to subscribe to OMA’s Workforce Community to receive all the latest Summit news and updates. 7/29/2025

October is quickly approaching, and now is the perfect time to start preparing your Manufacturing Month activities. Whether you’re hosting students, inviting community leaders, or highlighting career opportunities for jobseekers, the MakingOhio Manufacturing Month Planning Guide can help turn your ideas into action.

This step-by-step resource offers tips for engaging different audiences, planning impactful events, and showcasing your facility and workforce in a way that resonates. From classroom visits to on-site tours, the guide helps simplify the planning process while keeping your goals front and center.

Want even more ways to enhance your efforts? The MFG Day Host Toolkit from the Manufacturing Institute includes customizable templates, event checklists, and promotional materials—and don’t forget to register your event to boost visibility and amplify Ohio’s manufacturing story. 7/23/2025

Ohio manufacturers have until 3:00 p.m. on July 31 to apply for the current round of TechCred, the state’s innovative program that helps employers upskill their workforce with industry-recognized, technology-focused credentials.

Whether you’re supporting new hires or current employees, TechCred can help offset training costs—making it easier to invest in your team while strengthening your talent pipeline.

Through the program, employers may receive up to $2,000 per credential and up to $30,000 per application period in reimbursement. Visit the TechCred website to learn more and submit your application. 7/23/2025

In partnership with Sherwin-Williams, MAGNET is piloting a hands-on exhibit that introduces middle and high school students to the world of chemical manufacturing. As part of the exhibit, students learn about the ingredients that go into paint, how it is mixed, and explore career pathways in chemical manufacturing. Their painted creation becomes the shell of the battery-powered small-scale car they design, build, and race at the end of their visit to MAGNET as part of the three-hour Youth Manufacturing Experience.

To date, over 650 students have participated in the Sherwin-Williams experience, and MAGNET has engaged more than 8,000 students in the Youth Manufacturing Experience since its launch in February 2023. If you are an educator or manufacturer interested in participating, learn more about how this exhibit and the Youth Manufacturing Experience can benefit your students and community. 7/11/2025

Ohio’s advanced manufacturing future starts with awareness. Chip City Adventures: Discovering Manufacturing Careers in Ohio is a new, free eLearning experience, now available on MakingOhio, designed to introduce students, job seekers, and community members to in-demand careers in semiconductor manufacturing, energy, biopharma, and electric vehicles.

Developed by Columbus State Community College and the Ohio Association of Community Colleges with funding and support from Intel, the tool offers a compelling way to promote industry awareness, support career exploration, and strengthen partnerships across workforce and education.

Explore Chip City Adventures to see how this interactive resource can support your outreach efforts. 7/8/2025

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) recently awarded the remaining $979,080 from the state’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Equipment Grant to support advanced manufacturing programs at six educational institutions.

The state previously distributed more than $99 million to 91 grantees to expand high-demand career programs, including those in manufacturing. A recent survey of existing grantees identified over $11 million in unmet equipment needs.

ODEW selected six programs launching new manufacturing pathways to receive the final funds, covering nearly 92% of their requested amounts. The recipients include Bucyrus City, West Branch Local, Trumbull Career & Technical Center, Apollo Career Center (in partnership with Allen East and Ada Exempted Village), Firelands Local, and Amherst Exempted Village.

The awards align with Ohio’s priority to grow its manufacturing workforce by equipping students with advanced technical skills to meet statewide industry demand. 7/1/2025

Ohio manufacturers need their workforce priorities reflected in statewide strategies to build effective talent pipelines.

To that end, Jessica Borza, OMA’s managing director of workforce services, joined an Ohio Economic Development Association webinar panel to highlight cross-partner alignment efforts. She was joined on a panel with OMA partners, Aram Nerpouni (MAGNET), Courtney Tenhover (Ohio TechNet), and Marla Akridge (Tuscarawas Economic Development Corporation).

They presented how OMA’s Industry Sector Partnerships (ISPs) create hyper-local, employer-led collaborations connecting manufacturers with education and community partners, broadening and deepening talent recruitment and development pipelines.

Through the ISP network, strong state and regional coordination is building Ohio’s manufacturing talent pipelines. Watch the webinar recording to hear more from the engaging discussion. 7/2/2025

Manufacturers are encouraged to take full advantage of the Untapped Talent Resource Library— a curated collection that offers a wide range of practical tools, research, and case studies designed to support inclusive hiring and workforce development strategies.

Whether you’re looking to expand your talent pool, improve retention, or build stronger career pathways, the Resource Library provides actionable insights to strengthen your workforce. Access the library today to explore these valuable materials and integrate proven practices into your talent strategy. 6/25/2025

Stay connected to the latest workforce developments shaping Ohio’s manufacturing sector! As part of the Workforce Management Community, you’ll receive timely updates, publications, and invitations to events that offer opportunities to engage with peers and support statewide workforce strategies.

Members are also encouraged to engage in the OMA Workforce Committee, which meets quarterly, to discuss key issues, share insights, and help guide workforce initiatives across the state. To join, sign up at My OMA and opt into the Workforce Management Community under your community preferences. 6/25/2025

The Q2 edition of the OMA Workforce Briefing is now available, highlighting the OMA’s workforce service priorities through stories and impacts from manufacturers, Industry Sector Partnerships (ISPs), and workforce development partners to help strengthen alignment and workforce strategies across Ohio’s manufacturing workforce community.

Share this resource with your organization and peers. To receive future quarterly editions, opt in to the OMA Workforce Community. 6/19/2025

The OMA, this week, convened its Statewide Alignment Committee to address the statewide workforce initiatives and challenges in the manufacturing sector. The committee includes key leaders from industry and state agencies, including K-12, career-tech, higher education, and workforce and economic development organizations.

This committee provides a platform for unified approaches to manufacturing workforce priorities, updates on advocacy and resources, and the coordination of statewide efforts. By collaboratively leading shared strategic initiatives, the committee strengthens Ohio manufacturers’ competitiveness in addressing workforce needs. 6/18/2025

Emily DeRocco was a champion of American manufacturing, serving in leadership roles at both the U.S. Department of Labor and the Manufacturing Institute at the National Association of Manufacturers.

In memory of Emily, a group of individuals whose lives were deeply impacted by her created the DeRocco Fellows, an initiative to support undergraduate women in careers in manufacturing. DeRocco Fellows is now launching its first cohort of extraordinary young women! Learn more about the DeRocco Fellowship and how you can get involved. 6/18/2025

Planning season for October’s Manufacturing Month is upon us. For manufacturers looking to make an impact this fall, the MakingOhio Manufacturing Month Planning Guide is a ready-to-use resource to help you get started.

Available year-round, the guide walks you through key steps for planning meaningful outreach events – whether it’s a plant tour, classroom visit, or hands-on demo – offering practical tips based on your audience.

Looking for even more inspiration? Check out the MFG Day Host Toolkit, curated by the Manufacturing Institute, for templates, promotional materials, and easy-to-follow ideas to elevate your event. It’s also recommended to register your events on the site to help document our collective impact. 6/11/2025

This week, Envoy launched the Fair Chance Navigator, a self-guided tool designed to help employers build or strengthen fair chance hiring strategies.

Developed after nearly a decade of consulting with more than 50 major employers and industry groups, the Navigator offers step-by-step guidance, video insights from peer companies, and customizable tools to support implementation.

Annual subscriptions cost $995, but employers who register before June 30 receive $250 off their first year. Employers interested in subscribing to the Navigator can request access online or by email to learn more. 6/11/2025

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association joined JobsOhio at the Ohio STEM 2025 Innovation Summit this week. This event, in its third year, recognizes and celebrates nearly 500 STEM educators, leaders, and partners who exemplify STEM practices that inspire students and grow Ohio’s future. OMA and JO representatives were on hand to discuss the MakingOhio Toolkit that includes activities and resources developed by manufacturers and partners for youth outreach.

The OMA also aimed to connect K–12 teachers to manufacturing career pathway resources through their local Industry Sector Partnerships, which coordinate workforce development efforts between industry, educators, and workforce partners to grow the high-demand operator and technician pipelines. 6/3/25

This fall, the Workforce Partnership of Putnam County (WPPC), an OMA-Endorsed Industry Sector Partnership (ISP), is launching a new initiative to introduce high school students to careers in manufacturing. Starting in the 2025–2026 school year, WorkAdvance will be offered as a one-credit elective across all nine Putnam County public high schools, at no cost to students or schools. The program, funded by the Good Jobs Challenge grant, includes online soft skills training, technical instruction and lab sessions, 12 months of career coaching, and industry engagement opportunities.

After graduating two successful WorkAdvance cohorts, with all participants securing employment, WPPC faced ongoing recruitment challenges, which prompted them to collaborate with the Putnam County Educational Service Center and local guidance counselors. Inspired by the offering of elective-based agricultural certifications in schools, WPPC is adapting WorkAdvance to the classroom setting, making it more accessible and appealing to students.

“This is exactly the kind of collaboration between industry and education that keeps our region competitive, and it came simply by asking the experts (the counselors) how WorkAdvance training could be more appealing to students,” said WPPC director Karl Schimmoeller. “We’re not just building awareness—we’re building the next generation of our workforce.”

The elective offers pre-apprenticeship credit, CMfgA certification, and spring semester work-release opportunities to help students build job-ready skills and explore local manufacturing careers. With the support of the WPPC board, made up of seven manufacturers, two superintendents, and a career tech director, this initiative aims to build a reliable talent pipeline that strengthens the region’s future workforce. 5/28/25

Lt. Governor Jim Tressel announced a record-breaking month for Ohio’s TechCred program, with 651 employers awarded in the March TechCred application period. These awards will provide an opportunity for Ohioans to earn 8,830 tech-focused credentials, setting new benchmarks for both participation and credential attainment.

Manufacturing leads among the top industries funded, alongside educational services and construction. The data underscores the program’s broad utility across sectors, and its growing role in upskilling employees for Ohio’s evolving, tech-infused economy.

Businesses of all sizes are eligible to receive up to $30,000 per round and up to $180,000 per year to train current and prospective employees. The May application period closes on May 30, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Employers and training providers can learn more and apply at TechCred.Ohio.gov. 5/15/2025

As part of a statewide listening-and-learning tour, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel visited Lorain County Community College (LCCC) on Monday to discuss regional workforce challenges and strengths with local leaders.

The roundtable featured LCCC partners, including district superintendents, education administrators, the college’s board of trustees, organizations, businesses and Midview High School students, who provided input for the Ohio Workforce Playbook – a roadmap to help strengthen the talent pipeline for Ohioans, ensuring they are more prepared for high-demand careers.

During his tour, Tressel emphasized the importance of aligning educational programs with industry needs to ensure a skilled workforce for Ohio’s growing economy. He highlighted LCCC’s efforts in developing programs that equip students with relevant skills, particularly in advanced manufacturing and technology sectors.

Tressel’s visit underscores the state’s commitment to fostering a workforce prepared to meet the evolving demands of Ohio’s industries. 5/19/2025