At this year’s SME FUSION Conference, held in Nashville, national leaders across manufacturing, education, and workforce development came together to address the industry’s most pressing talent challenges. The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA), alongside key statewide partners, took the stage to present the Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint — an ambitious, industry-driven strategy designed to strengthen and future-proof Ohio’s manufacturing talent pipeline.

Ohio’s mission is clear: to build a dynamic, future-ready workforce that evolves alongside innovation and reinforces the state’s position as a modern manufacturing powerhouse. The session featured perspectives from leaders representing education, industry, and economic development, including Terri Sandu with Ohio TechNet and Lorain County Community College, Shawn Hendrix with JobsOhio, Kyle Fulton with the Central Ohio Manufacturing Partnership, and Lauren Massie with OMA.

OMA’s presence at SME FUSION underscores Ohio’s national leadership in workforce innovation and its ongoing commitment to ensuring manufacturers have access to the talent needed to succeed — today and into the future. 5/7/2026