Ohio's workforce development strategy is taking a proactive step forward with the launch of discussions to create the state's Workforce Playbook. Leading the charge, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel recently convened a roundtable at Cleveland State University (CSU) to gather insights from business, education, and community leaders in northeast Ohio. Addressing the audience, Tressel emphasized the importance of local insights in shaping the playbook. "Governor DeWine has tasked me with getting out into our communities across the state and having these kinds of conversations with the local leaders who know their region best," Tressel stated, as per an announcement on the Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's website.
The initiative comes from Gov. Mike DeWine's State of the State Address earlier in March, where DeWine heralded Tressel's lead on this critical administration effort. Ohio has already seen a significant upswing in private sector employment, reportedly adding over 81,000 jobs in the past six years and anticipating at least 15,000 more through impending projects. "We have the job opportunities in Ohio right now for our people, our communities, and the entire state to reach its full potential," Lt. Governor Tressel expressed in the same statement.
Ohio's Workforce Playbook aims to craft a comprehensive approach to not only retaining but also recruiting new talent while encouraging the existing workforce toward greater industry achievements. Representatives at the roundtable from CSU, along with major employers and industrial leaders in engineering, healthcare, and technology, engaged in robust discussions about training needs, workforce challenges, and invigorating Ohio's talent pipeline.
Demonstrating the practical application of academic learning, Tressel and CSU President Laura Bloomberg toured CSU's Washkewicz College of Engineering and viewed plans for an upcoming BioMedical complex and a novel Construction Management Program. "As part of CSU’s strategic plan, we are focused on strengthening our relationships with industry and community partners to prepare our students for in-demand career fields," Bloomberg told attendees. Also visited was the Dan T. Moore MakerSpace, a hub for hands-on fabrication, which doubled as the venue for the day's discourse.
Particular attention was given during the roundtable to CSU’s "Earn and Learn" initiative, a scheme that marries classroom instruction with pragmatic industry experience, touted as an exemplar for preparing students for lucrative career paths. CSU boasts a commendable track record for post-graduate employment within Ohio, with an impressive 88.7% of bachelor's degree earners finding work in the state after one year and 80.6% after five years. Ohio's broader strategy encompasses various regional community discussions, all aimed at furnishing the groundwork for Ohio’s Workforce Playbook.
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