Workers and training institutions do not have a reliable, consistent method for identifying the most in-demand jobs or the skills that workers need to fill them. Developing that ability—and encouraging participation from employers—is the first step to aligning the system and training programs with those needs.

Business in Ohio struggles to connect with qualified people to fill high-demand job openings. Without a dedicated workforce strategy, the state is missing critical opportunities to expose and inform students of Ohio’s most in-demand jobs. Efforts to align the state's largest workforce programs, coupled with a directionally accurate forecast of businesses most urgent job needs, our education and training system will be in a better position to fill the gaps.

Ohio’s workforce development efforts are spread out across 91 programs in 13 agencies. OWT is committed to moving reforms to create more efficient, responsive and effective services for employers and workers. With better alignment, Ohio will reduce redundancy, fragmentation and lack of coordination to improve the state and local programs that fuel our workforce system.

Ohio businesses have workforce needs but are reluctant or unsure where to access resources to help identify new workers and resources to help with training. OWT is committed to moving reforms to create more efficient, responsive and effective state provided employer services benefiting all Ohio businesses.