This week, The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) convened its Workforce Committee to highlight continued progress on advancing the Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint. OMA shared updates on two priority efforts that have gained strong momentum since the Blueprint’s release last fall — the Ohio Manufacturing Career Ambassador Program and the new one-year Technician Earn and Learn model.

Manufacturers and Industry Sector Partnerships shared perspectives and early experiences with each model, offering practical insights into how these approaches support student engagement and technician career pathways. Their input reinforced the importance of coordinated, employer-driven solutions that align regional and local implementation with statewide workforce priorities.

The meeting also featured insights from JobsOhio, with Shawn Hendrix presenting findings from its first-of-its-kind Technician Research, highlighting what — and who — is influencing job seekers to pursue technician careers. Jason Miller and Shannon Vanderpool from the Ohio Department of Development concluded the meeting to share updates on critical state workforce funding opportunities, including TechCred and the Ohio Industry Sector Partnership Grant.

The committee will reconvene May 13 as OMA and its members continue advancing coordinated, employer-driven workforce solutions. 2/25/2026