Workforce

Registration is now open for the seventh annual Ohio Manufacturers’ Workforce Summit 2024, the premier statewide gathering for Ohio’s manufacturers, on November 14 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

This year’s theme, “Stellar Employer Strategies for Eclipsing the Competition,” addresses the key workforce needs of manufacturers, amplifies their voices, and explores solutions to meet industry demands.

This full-day event offers opportunities to learn, network, and share best practices. Take advantage of the early bird registration rate by registering before September 30. 8/28/2024

Sponsorship opportunities are now available for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Workforce Summit 2024, scheduled for Thursday, November 14, 2024, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

This event is Ohio’s premier workforce gathering of manufacturers, focused on attracting, developing, and retaining a skilled manufacturing workforce. With over 500 expected attendees, including manufacturers, policymakers, educators, and workforce partners, your sponsorship provides prime visibility and direct engagement with key industry stakeholders.

Act quickly to be included in event promotions. For details or to secure your sponsorship, contact Nick Miller. 8/22/2024

OhioTechNet, based at Lorain County Community College (LCCC), has secured federal funding to establish one of three Industrial Training and Assessment Centers (ITACs) in Ohio.

This initiative, supported by the OMA, HHW Ohio, and Manufacturing Works, will strengthen small- and medium-sized manufacturers by implementing smart manufacturing processes that drive cost savings and productivity, supporting upskilling current workers, as well as training new talent through internships and apprenticeships. 8/14/2024

The OMA-endorsed Tuscarawas Valley Industry Sector Partnership (TVISP) has been chosen to participate in the Building Rural Community Systems Institute, a three-year initiative to enhance training-to-employment pathways in rural areas nationwide.

TVISP submitted a successful proposal, inviting the OMA to join their institute team and becoming one of only two Ohio-based organizations selected.

The first session took place last week, with staff from the OMA, TVISP, and OMA member TuscoMFG developing strategies to engage key partnerships and improve job training and education system alignment. 7/31/2024

The College Technology Internship Grant Program, supported by the Ohio Department of Development and the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, is seeking manufacturers to host young talent through paid internships.

Companies can hire up to ten interns, with the grant reimbursing two-thirds of each intern’s wages. The program broadly defines technology to include manufacturing roles such as technicians.

Applications for the fall and spring semesters opened in August and will remain open for four weeks. Learn more and apply at TechIntern.Development.Ohio.gov. 7/31/2024

In a press release this week, OMA president Ryan Augsburger commended the leadership of Gov. DeWine and Lt. Gov. Husted for their commitment to developing a skilled workforce and applauded the recent TechCred milestone announced by the Ohio Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation.

With over 100,000 credentials awarded, the TechCred program has played a key role in equipping Ohio workers with technology-focused skills and credentials, further enhancing the competitive edge of Ohio’s manufacturing sector.

For further details on the TechCred program or to participate, visit TechCred.Ohio.gov. 7/22/2024

The DeRocco Fellows program, created to honor the legacy of Emily Stover DeRocco, former advocate for manufacturing education, prepares young women for leadership roles in manufacturing through mentorship, professional development, and community engagement.

The program is launching recruitment efforts for its inaugural class of DeRocco Fellows and is seeking manufacturers to both nominate participants as well as host fellows for the summer of 2025. Manufacturers interested in participating can learn more about nominating fellows and becoming a host at one of the upcoming informational webinars. 7/24/2024

Last week, leaders from across the state met at MAGNET in Cleveland for the Auto and Advanced Mobility Steering Committee meeting.

The agenda included several key developments, including:

• $9.37M of funding deployed for training equipment and regional support
• Updated user tools added to the Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model website
• Launch of working group focused on training justice-impacted individuals for manufacturing careers
• Launch of new partnership with the Ohio STEM Learning Network, expanding collaboration between industry and K-12 education

OMA members have multiple opportunities to engage with these initiatives, ranging from providing input on training needs and program decisions, to actively participating in developing new manufacturing curriculums. Members can also endorse the Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model and connecting with newly trained talent through the WorkAdvance program.

For more details or to get involved, please contact Jessica Borza, OMA’s Managing Director of Workforce Services. 7/17/2024

At this week’s 2024 All Ohio Conference in Columbus, hosted by the Ohio Association of Career and Technical Education, OMA staff presented on how the Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model is helping to ensure that educational training programs align with manufacturers’ needs.

The model, led by the OMA, the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, and OhioTechNet, features tools designed to align school curriculums with the specific skills manufacturers require. Through the expanded use of the competency model and its tools, manufacturers can expect to hire well-prepared workers, ready to meet the industry’s current and future demands. 7/17/2024

This WorkAdvance success story highlights jobseeker Ben Smith’s transformation from overcoming substance abuse to thriving in a manufacturing career. Led statewide by the OMA and supported by the OMA-Endorsed Industry Sector Partnership (ISP) Network, the WorkAdvance program helps manufacturers access and retain skilled workers.

Read other WorkAdvance success stories from across Ohio and learn more about the program’s benefits for manufacturers via the WorkAdvance webpage. 7/10/2024

This recent article featured in Quality Digest highlights strategies employed by OMA members MAGNET and Ohio MEP through their America Works initiative. This initiative focuses on tapping into untapped talent populations to help alleviate the talent pool shortages currently facing manufacturers.

For Ohio manufacturers looking to explore these talent pools, this article, OMA’s Untapped Talent Training Series, and the MyOMA Untapped Talent Resources all offer actionable insights and best practices that can be integrated into recruitment strategies. 7/10/2024

Last week, the OMA’s Managing Director of Workforce Services, Jessica Borza, represented Ohio’s manufacturing sector on a panel at the 2024 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland.

The summit highlighted the importance of continued engagement in global economic discussions to foster growth and investment opportunities. Moderated by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Borza discussed the Ohio systems and initiatives supporting current manufacturers and attracting future investments. 6/26/2024

This week, the Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 198 which lowers barriers to employment for justice-impacted citizens by providing them with state ID cards and copies of vocational training or work records upon release.

The OMA previously provided testimony supporting the bill, highlighting how Senate Bill 198 addresses critical workforce needs by aiding in the reintegration of untapped talent pools into the labor market, essential for sustaining the growth of Ohio’s manufacturing sector. The bill will now move to the Ohio House of Representatives for further consideration. 6/26/2024

On Wednesday, Jessica Borza, Managing Director of Workforce Services at the OMA, served as a keynote speaker at the 2024 Economic Future Forum in Spokane, Washington.

The event, hosted by the International Economic Development Council, gathered economic development professionals from across the nation to discuss industry trends and share innovative strategies.

Borza highlighted the OMA-Endorsed Industry Sector Partnership Network and the Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model as key components to strengthening workforce development. 6/19/2024

The Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model was recently highlighted in a federal policy memo by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, highlighting the framework of incorporating knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA’s) that enhance training and education programs, setting a common language and standard for manufacturing workforce development statewide.

The Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model is garnering national attention as a valuable resource for manufacturers and educators. Manufacturers are encouraged to engage with and endorse the model. 6/19/2024

A recent report from the WorkRise Network underscores the importance of aligning economic development with workforce development policies to enhance support for entry-level and low-wage workers.

The report suggests integrated strategies, like the Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model, that connect economic growth with improved job quality and broader access to opportunities for these workers, supporting both immediate and long-term workforce sustainability. 6/19/2024

The Ohio Legislature is currently considering Senate Bill 273, which would make childcare more affordable by splitting costs equally among families, employers, and the state. This program would ease the financial burden on families and significantly enhance workforce stability For manufacturers interested in strategies to support and advance women in their workforce, check out the OMA’s Untapped Talent Resource Library. 6/13/2024

The OMA participated in the Industry and Inclusion 2024 National Convening in Detroit last week. The Industry and Inclusion 3.0 initiative, spearheaded by The Century Foundation and the Urban Manufacturing Alliance, focuses on practical strategies to tackle ongoing workforce challenges by engaging untapped talent pools. The OMA shared how current initiatives are helping manufacturers enhance their workforce development strategies for attracting and retaining untapped talent, underscoring a robust response to industry needs, and illustrating long-term career advancement opportunities for jobseekers. 6/13/2024

The June Urban Manufacturing Alliance (UMA) Conference, “Co-Creating the Conditions for an Inclusive Workforce”, took place in Detroit, Michigan, last week, focusing on engaging employers in effective workforce strategies. OMA Senior Director of Workforce Services, Beth Hahn, was invited to share best practices coming out of Ohio’s proactive approach to workforce development, including the ISP Network strategy, the Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model, and the OMA’s Untapped Talent Training Series initiative. 6/13/2024

The Ohio House this week passed House Bill 432, which would greatly expand the ability of individuals to qualify for a career-technical license issued by the State Board of Education. Under current law, the superintendent of a school district that has agreed to employ an applicant must make a request to the State Board in order to begin the process of licensure issuance. Under the bill, the applicant may apply for a license without obtaining an offer of employment. The OMA previously testified in support of the bill, and will continue to monitor its progress through the legislature. 6/12/2024