A few weeks ago, we discussed policies and strategies that support small businesses and help create jobs. But with more jobs, how can we ensure new employees are prepared for success? This week we’ll explore how we could craft a workforce development policy that would help Ohioans excel at their jobs, while also giving Ohio’s talent pool a comparative advantage for companies who stay in, expand, or move to the region.
In today’s economy, the talent needs of businesses are changing rapidly. Which means workers will need to be more flexible, adaptable and ready to acquire new knowledge and skills in real time. A “skills gap” occurs when the number of jobs available exceeds the number of qualified applicants for those jobs. Team NEO published a report highlighting the industries where there are far more available jobs than there are qualified employees to fill them. The report identifies IT, Health, Manufacturing, and Finance and Business Services as the key areas where there are substantial misalignment between the demand for workers and the supply of appropriately credentialed workers in Ohio.
Many of the jobs in these fields — from registered nurses to tool and die makers to computer systems analysts — provide family sustaining wages. Furthermore, jobs in the healthcare and IT industry face low risk of automation. Some require college degrees but there are also many which only require an Associate’s degree or a professional certificate.
Education and the skills gap
But, is more education the only solution to closing the skills gap? The report goes on to say that greater awareness of “quality career education” is necessary among residents. It is estimated that by 2021, 65 percent of regional jobs will require a post-secondary credential of some kind; while only 43% of Ohioans currently have that level of education. The report stresses that educational institutions must produce more students with credentials in high-demand sectors and that, in order to do so, “deeper employer engagement … is critical to improving the quality and relevancy of educational programs.”
A good example of this is Clark State Community College, located in Springfield. Through a $2.5 million federal grant, Clark State is able to work with local manufacturers to develop certificate programs in welding, additive manufacturing, and industrial maintenance. Other in-demand job training, degree and certificate programs include the school’s cyber-security associate degree program and Class “A” commercial vehicle training through its Commercial Transportation Training Center, which is working to supply the hundreds of open positions in the region.
Training opportunities
People looking to increase their skill level can also visit Ohio Means Jobs, which not only helps people find existing positions, but also host local events which have included things like presentations on apprenticeships and daylong trainings in IT fundamentals.
TalentNEO is another great resources that can be duplicated statewide. It is a regional initiative launching in Cuyahoga and Summit County which aims to expand employment opportunities for job seekers who have the required skills but lack the educational credentials or experience traditionally used to screen job applicants.
There are also programs like the Ohio Incumbent Workforce Training Voucher Program, an employer-driven program targeted to provide direct financial assistance to train workers and improve the economic competitiveness of Ohio’s employers. Eligible employers must demonstrate that by receiving funding assistance through the Ohio Incumbent Workforce Training Voucher Program their business will not only obtain a skilled workforce but will improve their company processes and competitiveness. Programs like this enable companies to compete, expand, explore, and implement new and efficient practices into their operations.
Reforms to federal workforce development policies are stalled as evidenced by Congress’ inability to modify the Workforce Investment Act, which hasn’t been changed since its inception in 1998. So it’s up to the state to implement effective workforce development programs with the overarching goal of creating a system that meets the immediate needs of employers today and adequately trains and prepares Ohio’s workforce for generations to come.
Discussion
How do we balance a “good job” with “any job,” given the skill levels and demographic changes taking place in our region?
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Revise the drug laws. Make recreational use of marijuana legal. It won’t hurt most job skill requirements. There are tens of thousands of marijuana users in productive jobs right now, keep them there and let convicted users out of jail and let them rejoin the work force.
We are irrationally fearful of marijuana and psychotic in our of punishment of users. Alcohol is much more damaging to an employee’s job performance and we have tolerated alcohol consumption since repeal of the alcohol prohibition in 1933. Our criminalizing of marijuana use is ridiculous and counterproductive to our interests and our needs.