Education leaders from Ohio and Delaware are pointing to the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) as an example of how states can strengthen workforce development through partnerships between employers and educators. In a RealClearEducation op-ed, Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Steve Dackin and Delaware Secretary of Education Cindy Marten highlighted bipartisan efforts to connect education with career opportunities, specifically recognizing OMA’s collaboration with state leaders.

The authors credited Ohio’s partnership with OMA as part of efforts to expand career-technical education and modernize engineering and manufacturing standards around employer needs. They presented Ohio’s approach alongside Delaware’s workforce initiatives as examples other states can learn from, demonstrating the value of giving employers a meaningful role in shaping education and training.

“Ohio manufacturers aren’t waiting for someone else to solve the workforce challenge. Through OMA, they’re helping build the solutions,” said Jessica Borza, OMA’s executive advisor for workforce and MEP. “We’ve spent years bringing employers, educators and workforce partners together to align training with real industry needs. Seeing that work highlighted as an example for other states reinforces the value of an employer-driven approach.”

The national recognition comes as OMA continues expanding its workforce leadership. This week, OMA launched its new statewide Workforce Training Directory, recognizing 11 inaugural education and training partners, including seven Gold Star Institutions. The initiative builds on OMA’s broader efforts to strengthen regional Industry Sector Partnerships, expand earn-and-learn opportunities and help manufacturers connect with the skilled talent they need to compete. 10/22/2026