ODJFS Director Celebrates Manufacturing Month in Miamisburg
Tours Aeroseal and outlines resources for Ohio manufacturers
COLUMBUS, OHIO – Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Matt Damschroder toured Aeroseal on October 20 to celebrate National Manufacturing Month. Along with representatives of the company and the Ohio Manufacturing Association, Damschroder highlighted the role manufacturing plays in Ohio’s economy, and how the State of Ohio is helping the industry.
“Manufacturing continues to be the backbone of Ohio’s economy,” said Damschroder. “Manufacturing Month is an opportunity to celebrate the companies that make up this sector, and to remind them of the variety of services Ohio has to offer them.”
Ohio is a leader in U.S. manufacturing, ranking third in the nation for the number of manufacturing jobs, with more than 683,000, or more than one in eight, Ohio jobs in manufacturing. It ranks first in the nation for glass, plastics, and rubber product manufacturing employment. It ranks second in the nation for paper manufacturing, primary metal manufacturing, machinery manufacturing, and electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing employment.
“From the transportation of raw materials to manufacturing design and production, to delivery of finished product, manufacturing touches so many aspects of Ohio’s economy,” said of the Ohio Manufacturer’s Association, whose mission is to protect and grow manufacturing in Ohio.
Ohio has been experiencing record low unemployment this year, and one challenge facing manufacturers is the availability of workers. Despite average wages exceeding $70,000, more than 7,000 manufacturing openings are listed at OhioMeansJobs.com. Damschroder pointed to a variety of resources available to manufacturers looking to invest in or grow their workforces, or job seekers considering a career in manufacturing, including:
- OhioMeansJobs Centers and OhioMeansJobs.com—In addition to more than 2 million active resumes on file, OhioMeansJobs specialists can help employers identify their workforce needs and connect them with job seekers or resources to meet specialized needs. Likewise, they can work with job seekers to assess and grow skills for nearly any job in manufacturing.
- ApprenticeOhio—Ohio ranks third in the nation and first in the Midwest in the number of apprentices, with more than 21,000 enrolled. Thirteen of the 35 news apprentice programs added last year were related to manufacturing. ApprenticeOhio programs offer a combination of paid on-the-job training, related technical instruction, and mentoring for skilled occupations.
- TechCred—This program helps businesses address their workforce needs by upskilling current and prospective employees. Businesses of all sizes, from any industry, are eligible for up to $30,000 per round and up to $180,000 per year.
- Career Resource Navigator and Career Pathways—These programs can help guide students and those recently completed training and education plan their path toward a rewarding career.
- Assistance for targeted populations—Veterans, restored citizens, and individuals with disabilities are examples of individuals with skills that can benefit Ohio employers. OhioMeansJobs can help bring employers and these individuals together.
“Many people may not realize that manufacturing today is full of technology and innovation,” said Bethany Sanker, Vice President of Marketing at Aeroseal. “Aeroseal is a great example of an Ohio company using innovative technologies to address complex issue like energy efficiency and air quality in residential and commercial settings around the globe.”