governor’s office of workforce transformation annual report (6-14...governor’s executive...

The State of Ohio is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider of ADA Services

talent.workforce.ohio.gov

Brent Snell (left), instructor of Manufacturing and Machining Technologies program, helps pre-apprenticeship student Bryson Canan, program a HAAS TM–1P CNC at Upper Valley Career Center (Piqua, Ohio)

Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation2016 Annual Report

John R. Kasich, Governor Ryan D. Burgess, Director

Talent. Find it Here. – 2016 Annual Report

2John R. Kasich, GovernorRyan D. Burgess, Director

Contents

Section One ............................................................. 3• Letter from the Director of the Governor’s

Office of Workforce Transformation and Chair of the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board

Section Two ............................................................. 4• Governor’s Executive Workforce Board

Section Three ............................................................. 5• Mission

Section Four ............................................................. 7• Year in Review: 2016 Priority Projects

• Building Ohio’s Future Workforce: Governor Kasich’s call to action

• Workforce Demand and Supply

• OhioMeansJobs

• Comprehensive Case Management and Employment (CCMEP)

• Industry Workforce Alliances

• Statewide Apprenticeship Focus

• WIOA | Combined State Plan

• 2016 Legislative Update

Section Five ..........................................................15• 2017 Priority Projects

Governor’s Executive Workforce Board

John R. Kasich, Governor of OhioR. Blane Walter, Chair

John R. Kasich State of Ohio

R. Blane Walter (Chair) Talisman Capital Partners

Dennis A. Nash (Vice Chair) Kenan Advantage Group

Mike Archer Pioneer Pipe/Pioneer Group

John E. Barnes, Jr. Ohio House

Bill Beagle Ohio Senate

John Carey Ohio Department of Higher Education

Roy A. Church Lorain County Community College

Janet Weir Creighton Stark County Commission

Richard Dalton International Union of Operating Engineers

Cynthia C. Dungey Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

Dennis Franks Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center

Vicki Giambrone CBD Advisors

Christina Hurr Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley

Andrea Kramer City Apparel/Go Grow Strategies

Dave LeDonne MarkWest Energy Partners

Stephen Lipster The Electrical Trades Center

Kevin Miller Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

Dan T. Moore Dan T. Moore Company

Phillip L. Parker Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce

Albert B. Ratner Forest City Enterprises, Inc.

Jamie Regg General Electric Aviation

Bill Reineke Ohio House

Richard A. Stoff Ohio Business Roundtable

David Whitehead Cuyahoga Community College

Sandra Williams Ohio Senate

David Wynn BASF Corporation

Thomas F. Zenty III University Hospitals


Governor’s Executive Workforce Board

John R. Kasich, Governor of OhioR. Blane Walter, Chair

John R. Kasich State of Ohio

R. Blane Walter (Chair) Talisman Capital Partners

Dennis A. Nash (Vice Chair) Kenan Advantage Group


John E. Barnes, Jr. Ohio House






Cynthia C. Dungey Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

Dennis Franks Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center


Christina Hurr Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley

Andrea Kramer City Apparel/Go Grow Strategies





Albert B. Ratner Forest City Enterprises, Inc.

Jamie Regg General Electric Aviation








June 20, 2017

The Honorable John R. Kasich Office of the Governor 77 South High Street, 30th Floor Columbus, Ohio 43215

Dear Governor Kasich,

Ohio’s businesses serve as the foundation of our economy by opening doors for individuals of all backgrounds to join or move up in the workforce and contribute to the prosperity of their families, communities, and to the great state of Ohio.

The Office of Workforce Transformation is committed to ensuring that the needs of businesses and job-seekers are not only heard, but adequately met. We are working to provide job-seekers with effective education and training to ensure job-readiness, thereby giving Ohio’s businesses access to a skilled and productive workforce. In collaboration with the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board, we identified current obstacles to this mission and are working to address them in the following ways:

Bridge the gap between employer expectations and worker capabilities. We recognize that employer demand is not currently met with an adequate supply of skilled workers. We will continue to focus on aligning training and education to prepare workers for gainful employment.

Prepare Ohioans for the increasingly technology-intensive jobs of tomorrow. We acknowledge that with rapid technological advancement comes disruptive change, and that the jobs of tomorrow will require new and unprecedented skills. We are working to prepare Ohioans of all ages for the jobs of the future.

Align the delivery of education and training with specific business needs. We have found that there are significant opportunities for improved communication and collaboration between businesses and educators in Ohio. We are working to bring businesses and educators together to find ways to better align curricula with occupational needs.

Together with the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board and partner agencies, we continue to reach into our communities for feedback and determine ways to break down barriers to employment in Ohio. With your support, we are making Ohio an even better place to live and work.

Sincerely,

Ryan D. Burgess Director

R. Blane Walter Chair

Section One



Governor’s Executive Workforce BoardA qualified workforce is an essential part of Ohio’s economic future. In 2012, Governor John R. Kasich created the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board to align Ohio’s workforce training and education programs with the needs of Ohio businesses. In 2015, the governor issued Executive Order 2015-08K to align the board’s activities with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, and expanded the board membership. Now, along with a majority of the board representing private-industry, the board has members from labor and education organizations, training service providers, and the Ohio legislature.

The board, chaired by R. Blane Walter of Talisman Capital Partners, advises the governor and the Office of Workforce Transformation on reforming and streamlining Ohio’s workforce delivery system while ensuring a focus on the most in-demand jobs.

2016 Governor’s Executive Workforce BoardJohn R. Kasich Governor of Ohio

R. Blane Walter, Chair Talisman Capital Partners

Dennis A. Nash, Vice-Chair Kenan Advantage Group


John E. Barnes, Jr. Ohio House of Representatives






Cynthia Callender Dungey Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

Dennis Franks Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center


Christina L. Hurr Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley

Andrea Kramer City Apparel / Go Grow Strategies



Dan T. Moore III Dan T. Moore Company



Albert B. Ratner Forest City

Jamie Regg GE Aviation







Section Two



MissionThe mission of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation is to grow Ohio’s economy by developing a skilled and productive workforce, promoting effective training programs, and connecting Ohio employers with qualified workers. To accomplish this, the office concentrates on four main priorities:

Ohio has seen 448,500 new private-sector jobs created since January 2011 (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CES Survey) and continues to rank as one of the top ten job creating states in the nation (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CES Survey). To keep up with the speed of growth and the ever-evolving workplace, our office concentrates on four main priorities:

(1) Identifying the Needs of Businesses – Understanding the needs of businesses to fill the jobs of today and tomorrow allows the state to focus resources and prioritize those needs.

(2) Connecting Businesses and Workers – Eliminating bureaucracies within government-run workforce development programs makes it easier for Ohioans to find jobs and training opportunities, makes it simpler for employers to find qualified employees, and ensures that state agencies work together and coordinate workforce programs.

(3) Aligning Training to Business Needs – An effective workforce system must ensure training programs are providing the skills and education that employers are looking for to fill the jobs of today and tomorrow.

(4) Evaluating Results – By evaluating our results and understanding which programs are working and which are not, state and local policy makers can allocate efforts to improving ineffective programs and replicating effective programs.

Section Three



Year in Review: 2016 Priority ProjectsIn 2016, the Office of Workforce Transformation focused on identifying ways to prepare and continuously retrain Ohioans of all ages for the jobs of today and tomorrow. At a foundational level, this involves taking steps to bring businesses and educators together, bridge skills gaps, and ensure job-seekers are prepared for technological advancements in the workplace.

The following projects and efforts provide a snapshot of the work of the Office of Workforce Transformation – guided by the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board – to transform the future of workforce in Ohio.

Building Ohio’s Future Workforce: Governor Kasich’s Call to ActionAs part of his ongoing search for transformative ideas to shape Ohio’s workforce, Governor Kasich challenged the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board to work with appropriate state agencies to respond to this charge:

Identify ways to prepare and continuously retrain Ohioans of all ages for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

The purpose of this undertaking was to identify the most prominent challenges in early, secondary, postsecondary and adult education with the goal of identifying actionable solutions to ensure Ohio’s businesses have access to a skilled and productive workforce. The near-term objective was to identify proposed actions and/or changes to be considered for incorporation into the governor’s FY18-19 Executive Biennial Budget.

Board members convened to propose recommendations to address each challenge. The Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation worked with the board to develop a report called “Building Ohio’s Future Workforce,” which was delivered to the governor in December. The governor was pleased with the recommendations and promised not to let them “sit on a shelf”.

9/13/16• Governor Kasich’s call to action• Problem statement development

10/24/16Recommendation development

12/13/16Report presented to board members

12/31/16Submit report to Governor Kasich

Call to Action: Timeline



Summary of Why Improvements Are NeededA Brave New WorldOhioans must acknowledge that we’re living in a brave new world of massive, rapid and often disruptive technological change and advancement, and that the jobs of tomorrow will be increasingly technology-heavy. Many of today’s jobs were not even imagined 20 years ago.

Disconnect Between Business and EducationIn a world where the majority of jobs are technology-intensive and require some level of technical knowledge and skills, career training is an even more important and more viable pathway to occupational success. However, disconnects do exist in the delivery of career education and training.

To win the global competition for business investment and jobs, Ohio must develop and attract individuals with knowledge, skills, competencies and credentials that meet the needs of employers, especially those seeking to fill in-demand jobs. Of particular concern is the fact that Ohio currently has a substantial shortage of working-age adults with the degrees and credentials required to be successful in the labor market – in other words, a gap between employer expectations and worker capabilities.

Section Four

Recommendation HighlightsFour main recommendations have been identified that encompass the most pressing challenges and overarching themes identified by the board. These recommendation highlights are as follows:

Recommendation 1: Establish Stronger ConnectionsEstablish stronger connections between businesses and the education and training systems through regional collaborations to ensure that Ohioans gain the skills needed for the jobs Ohio employers need to fill.

Tactics• Regional workforce career counseling collaboration models

• Encourage teacher on-site experiences

• Increase business commitment with local school boards

• Re-direct funding to shorter term, non-credit certifications within higher education

Recommendation 2: Address the Skills GapAddress the skills gap to better ensure that students are prepared to enter the workforce and that Ohio’s businesses have access to a skilled and productive workforce.

Tactics• Job-ready certificate for students who have demonstrated readiness

• Provide transition classes for students needing remediation while still in high school

• Continuous learning through competency-based and work-based programs

• Create incentives for incarcerated individuals to earn their high school equivalency

Recommendation 3: Build Awareness of Alternative PathwaysBuild awareness and increase the pipeline of students pursuing non-four-year, post-secondary degree and certificate pathways to employment.



Tactics• Align pre-apprenticeship programs with Ohio’s College Credit Plus program

• Recognize apprenticeships and credentials as pathways to high school graduation

• Expand mentorship programs to develop the soft skills businesses seek

Recommendation 4: Leverage Non-Traditional AssetsLeverage non-traditional assets such as the public library system and chambers of commerce to help create a better-prepared workforce.

Tactics• Rebrand Ohio’s libraries as “continuous learning centers”

• Define a clearer role for school district leaders’ participation in local chambers of commerce

• Leverage technology and on-line offerings for adult learners

Other Priority ProjectsIdentifying Ohio’s In-Demand JobsEnsuring that Ohio’s workforce resources are aligned to the needs of Ohio employers starts with identifying businesses’ most urgent job needs. To do so, the Office of Workforce Transformation, together with the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board, the Ohio Business Rountable, and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, developed Ohio’s In-Demand Jobs list from three key data sources.

• State labor market statistics and occupational projections

• Job posting trends from OhioMeansJobs.com

• Direct-employer forecasted job needs (Ohio’s In-Demand Jobs Survey)

In 2016, the Officde of Workforce Transformation worked with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to send a second round of the Ohio In-Demand Jobs Survey to over 2,000 businesses. The data collected was used to update the In-Demand Jobs Survey to Ohio’s In-Demand Jobs List - accessible online at OhioMeansJobs.com - offers valuable information to individuals looking for careers by providing a snapshot of job openings and growth opportunities in Ohio. For students, it can help guide education and training choices. Ohio’s In-Demand Jobs list allows the state to align resources and policies to address the critical workforce needs of Ohio’s employers.

In 2016, Ohio has recognized 210 jobs as in-demand. The 210 in-demand job titles match to approximately 17,000 related business job titles across 58 industries , 96% of which require at least a high school education and 57% require at least some post-secondary training. 94.8% of unemployed individuals seeking training through an OhioMeansJobs center were directed to education and training opportunities aligned to one of Ohio’s in-demand jobs . In-demand jobs are highlighted on OhioMeansJobs.com and prioritized throughout the site, including career pathways designed to guide students and job seekers toward jobs Ohio employers need to fill today and in the future.



Workforce Supply ToolWith the development of Ohio’s In-Demand Jobs List, the state gained a better understanding of Ohio employers’ most urgent workforce needs. But to create a more accurate picture of Ohio’s workforce, the state needed to understand the supply side of the equation, including the number of individuals Ohio’s education and training institutions graduate each year. In partnership with the Ohio Department of Higher Education and The Ohio State University, the Office of Workforce Transformation has worked to identify those graduates through the creation of the Workforce Supply Tool, which answers the following questions:

• Where are students enrolled and in which programs? Knowing the number of incoming students and their areas of study helps employers anticipate what the available workforce will look like in coming years.

• From which institutions and regions are students graduating? Identifying which regions of Ohio skilled individuals are graduating from allows the state to better understand regional workforce trends and allows businesses looking to relocate to or within Ohio to make informed decisions based on regional talent pipelines.

• What programs are being offered by which institutions? Understanding what kinds of programs are offered at various schools throughout the state helps to address potential skills gaps.

• Are graduates finding jobs and are they staying in those jobs? Ensuring that Ohio’s graduates are not only staying in Ohio, but are able to find employment in the state helps to ensure an adequate pipeline of workforce talent.

Identifying Ohio’s supply of potential workers, together with Ohio’s In-Demand Jobs list, allows the state to see workforce gaps and align resources to bridge those gaps. It also makes finding talented workers easier for Ohio businesses. Currently, 23 occupations are included in the Workforce Supply Tool. The state’s goal is to include all 200+ in-demand occupations by December 2018.

“Ohio has built a state-of-the-art tool that will aid business and economic development leaders grow jobs in the state and help higher education leaders better align education and training with employer skill needs.” – Bryan Wilson, State Policy Director, National Skills Coalition

Ohio Workforce Success Measures DashboardIn December 2014, the Office of Workforce Transformation rolled out Ohio’s Workforce Success Measures Dashboard – a simple display of key measures to evaluate the state’s workforce programs and services, including:

1. Did that individual Ohioan find work?

2. What were the earnings that individual received?

3. Did that individual stay employed?

In 2016, the state expanded the success measures to include Vocational Rehabilitation run through Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities and made cosmetic changes to the dashboard language for easier navigation and readability.



In addition, the Office of Workforce Transformation partnered with the Ohio Longitudinal Data Archive and the Center for Human Resource Research to update the metrics to include program participants from 2014-2015. The results from this update can be found on Measures.Workforce.Ohio.gov. Ohio’s success from 2014-2015 can be illustrated by analyzing national rankings. Across all Workforce Investment Act programs, Ohio ranks in the top 15 in performance for nearly all common metrics.

Looking ahead to 2017, in partnership with state agencies, our office will work to retool the Workforce Success Measures dashboard to expand usage for different groups, amplify the amount of data displayed, and increase user-friendliness. The new Workforce Success Measures Dashboard will be available beginning July 1, 2017. This work aligns with Governor Kasich’s vision of utilizing data and analytics to derive meaningful insights.



OhioMeansJobsOhioMeansJobs.comOne of Governor Kasich’s goals is to ensure employers have access to a skilled and productive workforce, and that job-seekers have the tools and resources necessary to become gainfully employed. In 2014, a new and improved OhioMeansJobs.com was released, transforming the site into a full-service online career counselor and business services resource. Since then, OhioMeansJobs.com has made a number of enhancements, resulting in increased usage statewide.

OhioMeansJobs.com by the numbers – As of December 2016:

OhioMeansJobs.com K-12 is a division of the main site dedicated to helping students learn more about careers by providing the tools and resources necessary to connect their education to potential careers. OhioMeansJobs.com Higher Ed allows students pursuing post-secondary credentials and degrees the opportunity to make informed choices about their education and training pathways. This section of OhioMeansJobs.com is now dedicated to serving students throughout Ohio’s college, university, and career technical education systems.

OhioMeansVeteranJobs.com is a division of the site that provides active and retired military servicemembers with access to resources, training, employment opportunities, and benefits. It is also home to a “military skills translator”, which helps individuals translate military skills into a polished résumé fit for their new career pursuit.

Some of the resources added in 2016 include the Ohio Workforce Supply Tool, a list of career fairs and workshops in Ohio, and information about TalentNEO, an organization that helps individuals obtain skills needed for desired positions.

The number of registered K–12 users

increased by 115% to nearly 316,000

Over 136,900,000 jobshave been searched on OhioMeansJobs.com

3,900 schools have been registeredon OhioMeansJobs.com

82,000 visitorsto OhioMeansVeteranJobs.com

Over 311,000 resumeshave been searched by employers



Statewide Career FairsThroughout August and September, the state held six career fairs, one in each JobsOhio region, to promote the resources available to both individuals and Ohio employers at OhioMeansJobs.com. Each fair also offered information to Ohio employers and workforce professionals on workforce trends, and a review of the features available to employers on OhioMeansJobs.com.

“We are constantly looking to expand and develop our workforce, and Ohio has the best workforce in the nation. Having a centralized location will help not only the employee but the employer… it’s a tremendous benefit to us” –Jim Rogers, EXAIR Corp.

Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program (CCMEP)Recognizing that the best anti-poverty program is a job, one of the state’s goals is to help more low-income Ohioans move into meaningful employment. To transform the network of human service and workforce programs for low-income Ohioans, Governor Kasich signed the Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program (CCMEP) into law on June 30, 2015. The program currently serves 16-24-year-olds, where early intervention can have the greatest effect. CCMEP was implemented statewide beginning July 1, 2016

CCMEP enables the state to fully leverage the strengths of both the workforce and human services systems in a way that focuses on people, not programs. This includes adopting common performance metrics and ensuring Ohio Works First clients benefit from access to the array of employment and training services offered through OhioMeansJobs centers. CCMEP mandates a single client-centered case management approach and refocuses the efforts of all system partners. This includes a common application, assessment, and individual opportunity plan. In addition, local services providers are required to achieve specific metrics that align to WIOA measures to continue receiving funding.

Industry Workforce Alliances Completion ReportCollaborating with businesses to understand their workforce needs is imperative to improving the state’s workforce delivery system. Industry Workforce Alliances – also known as sector partnerships – are local public-private collaborations that work to meet the needs of businesses and job-seekers in Ohio. The alliances bring education, training providers, and community organizations together with local business leaders to develop innovative solutions to regional workforce issues.

Recognizing the critical role these local alliances play in guiding workforce development in Ohio, the state created the Industry Workforce Alliance Pilot Initiative in 2014, awarding grant funding to six local partnerships, one in each of the six JobsOhio regions. The results of Phase II (July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016) of the program are as follows:

103 Employers500 Job Seekers

Great Oaks CareerDevelopment Campuses


Zane State College


Owens Community College 48 Employers350 Job SeekersCuyahoga Community

College


Sinclair Community College


Quest ConferenceCenter

2016 STATEWIDE OHIOMEANSJOBS CAREER FAIRS



Northwest Ohio: Allen County Economic Development Group

Worked to address the growing manufacturing presence in Allen and surrounding counties:

• Formation of LINK Lima/Allen County, identifying and addressing barriers to employment (such as transportation, child care, and lack of entry-level skill sets) in the manufacturing industry.

• Increased number of industry partners by 21 from inception to June 30, 2016. Screened 445 participants, trained 108 participants, and referred 195 participants to employment.

Southwest Ohio:Partners for a Competitive Workforce

Implemented a plan centered on career pathway development within the field of logistics.


Southeast Ohio:Appalachian Ohio Health Professions Pathways

Helped unemployed and underemployed Ohioans find work in the healthcare industry:

• Creation of the University of Rio Grande Jackson Center Medical Coding Boot Camp, a 10-week program to ready participants to sit for their American Academy of Professional Coding certification.

• Screened 170 participants, trained 121 participants, and referred 20 participants to employment.

Northeast Ohio:Mahoning Valley Manufacturing Coalition

Focused on the advanced manufacturing needs of the Mahoning Valley:

• Development of the Mahoning Valley Machining Career Pathway, showcasing career opportunities and guiding students to training linked to employer-defined knowledge and skills.

• Screened 445 participants, trained 42 participants, and referred 195 participants to employment.

According to an article in the Youngstown Vindicator, the Mahoning Valley Manufacturing Coalition model will be used throughout the state to help end the manufacturing workforce shortage.

“Nobody has put together a model like you have… You have built the model. We hope to spread the model around the state.” –Eric Burkland, President, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association

NW NE

C

SE

W

SW



Western Ohio:Montgomery County Department of Community & Economic Development

Directed resources at the logistics and distribution development for the county:


Central Ohio:Insurance Industry Resource Council

Concentrated on meeting the increasing demands of central Ohio’s insurance industry:

• Expansion of the Foundations of Insurance Certificate program at Columbus State Community College, growing the talent pipeline for careers in the insurance industry.


Statewide Apprenticeship FocusA shared priority of the Office of Workforce Transformation and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is to increase awareness of and access to apprenticeship programs statewide.

Statewide Apprenticeship Re-BrandTo raise awareness of the opportunities in apprenticeship, the state created a new, statewide apprenticeship brand called ApprenticeOhio. The new ApprenticeOhio website, Apprentice.Ohio.gov, was launched in November 2016 and will serve as a repository for all state apprenticeship resources. The site contains information tailored to aspiring apprentices, parents, and potential Registered Apprenticeship program sponsors. In 2017, the state plans to move all existing apprenticeship resources to the site, including the “apprenticeable occupations list” currently housed on OhioMeansJobs.com, and all resources from the Ohio State Apprenticeship Council. With one user-friendly hub for all related resources, the state hopes to make apprenticeship more approachable to students, parents, and employers.

Reducing Stigmas: Apprenticeship Success StoriesDuring National Apprenticeship Week, the Office of Workforce Transformation launched an apprenticeship success story campaign to showcase the benefits of apprenticeship from the perspectives of those involved. OWT interviewed student apprentices, their parents, and employers to share their stories. The blog posts received over 2,300 views in several countries and helped drive traffic to the new ApprenticeOhio website.



Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act/Combined State PlanIn 2016, the state submitted a combined workforce plan under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The plan aligned several of the state’s largest workforce programs to improve outcomes for students, adults, and employers by better coordinating efforts between businesses, educators, and workforce professionals. Workforce programs in the plan include:

• Title I of WIOA, which funds county OhioMeansJobs Centers, job training, and job search assistance programs

• The Wagner-Peyser Act Program, which funds employment services to connect job seekers and employers

• Adult Basic Literacy Education, which funds GED preparation, adult math, reading, and literacy courses

• The Vocational Rehabilitation Program through Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, which supports vocational rehabilitation programs for individuals with disabilities

• Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education, which provides funding for career technical training for secondary and post-secondary students

• Senior Community Service Employment Program, which is a community services and work-based job training program for older Ohioans

• Jobs for Veterans State Grants Programs, which helps veterans find jobs through employment services at local OhioMeansJobs Centers

Ohio’s efforts to engage local providers and partners to build upon the unified state workforce plan are ongoing. With this improved coordination and delivery, Ohio will continue to remove barriers facing job-seekers and employers in Ohio.

2016 Legislative Update

Throughout 2016, Governor Kasich and the Ohio General Assembly worked to provide strong support to Ohio’s workforce development system. A significant number of workforce items were introduced in the 2016 Mid-Biennium Review (MBR), including: reforming Ohio’s high school equivalency program, increasing work-based educational opportunities for K-12 students, working to improve educational opportunities for children of active-duty military and veterans, and transitioning more ex-offenders into jobs.

On June 14, 2016, Governor Kasich signed Sub. House Bill 113 into law which provided changes to Ohio’s high school equivalency program, formerly known as the GED program. The primary goal of these changes is to increase options for test takers. The law went into effect on September 13, 2016 and the changes are as follows:

• Requires the Ohio Department of Education to approve at least two nationally recognized high school equivalency tests. Testing assessments being considered: GED, HiSET and TASC;

• The Ohio High School Equivalence Diploma will be recognized as the Ohio Certificate of HIgh School Equivalence as of Sept. 14, 2016. All previously awarded Ohio High School Equivalence Diplomas will still be considered valid; and

• Age requirement change for 16-, 17-, and 18-year-old test takers including:

• Officially withdrawn from school and has not received a high school diploma or honors diploma; and

• A test taker who is 16 or 17 years of age must submit a consent form signed by a parent, guardian or court official.



2017 Priority ProjectsIn 2016, Governor Kasich challenged the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board to find ways to prepare and continuously retrain Ohioans of all ages for the jobs of today and tomorrow. The Office of Workforce Transformation and Board Members responded to the challenge by compiling recommendations, found in the Building Ohio’s Future Workforce Report. Nearly half of the recommendations included in the report were introduced as budget items in the governor’s proposed FY18-19 Executive Biennial Budget.

OWT’s main priority for 2017 is to emphasize the importance of workforce issues statewide and work with the state legislature to implement workforce items into the state budget. For recommendations which do not require legislative action, the OWT staff will lead “task force” teams of subject matter experts across state agencies to ensure timely completion of each recommendation. For accountability, OWT will present progress reports at each quarterly Governor’s Executive Workforce Board Meeting to maintain accountability.

Additional priority projects for 2017 include:

Bridging the gap between employer expectations and worker capabilities:• Work with the Ohio State Apprenticeship Council to expand apprenticeship programs statewide using

the USDOL Apprenticeship Grant Ohio received in 2016

• Increase efforts around “non-traditional” apprenticeable occupations such as Information Technology and Healthcare

Aligning the delivery of education and training with specific business needs: • Update the Ohio In-Demand Occupations List based on the newest round of employer responses,

collected in 2016

• Continue to facilitate collaboration and working relationships between business and education throughout Ohio

Increasing awareness of viable career pathways through outreach campaigns:• Continue promoting apprenticeship to businesses and job-seekers statewide; increase awareness of

new state apprenticeship brand, ApprenticeOhio

• Promote OhioMeansJobs.com and its new Workforce Supply Tool to businesses and institutions across the state

Enhancing state data analytics infrastructure to increase efficiency:• Retool Ohio’s Workforce Success Measures Dashboard to expand opportunities for use, amplify the

amount of data displayed, and increase user-friendliness

• Expand the state’s Workforce Supply Tool to include all 200+ In-Demand Occupations

Section Five



Follow our work at:Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation

www.workforce.ohio.gov 77 S. High Street, 24th Floor

Columbus, Ohio 43215 (614) 466-5055

[email protected]

Looking for a job? Looking for workers?Visit: www.OhioMeansJobs.com

http://twitter.com/ohioowt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBdY4SDFcq0&list=UUFAoEiZt9Im0Rese9k0D3sA

https://www.linkedin.com/company/governor's-office-of-workforce-transformation

http://ohioowtblog.wordpress.com

governor’s office of workforce transformation annual report (6-14...governor’s executive...

Documents