Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel are gearing up for Ohio’s ninth annual In-Demand Jobs Week, set for May 4-8, a statewide push to match Ohioans with better-paying work. The theme this year is “Reach Your Full Potential,” with the new WorkOhio program taking center stage as the main doorway for job seekers looking for help. State officials say there are tens of thousands of open positions across Ohio that could move residents into higher-paying jobs.
According to WSYX/WTTE, the governor’s office says the week will spotlight Ohio’s most in-demand and fastest-growing industries and encourage employers, schools, and community partners to host their own events. DeWine put it bluntly in the release: "The best way to reach your potential is to find a great job, and there's never been a better time to find a job in Ohio." Tressel, for his part, urged local groups to sign on as WorkOhio Community Connectors. The station also notes that OhioMeansJobs is currently listing more than 134,000 job postings statewide, with over 92,000 of them paying more than $50,000 per year.
WorkOhio brings one-on-one help
WorkOhio is built to give job seekers something more than a generic job board: direct access to regional job experts who can offer personalized guidance. Those experts can help with résumé support, point people toward training and connect them with real openings in their area.
As reported by Spectrum News, requests made through the WorkOhio portal are routed to one of seven regional job hubs, ranging from MAGNET in Northeast Ohio to the Cincinnati Regional Chamber’s Workforce Innovation Center in the southwest. Officials say a regional job expert will typically respond within a few business days. The online portal is free to use, and users do not need to create a login to get started.
Top Jobs list, pay and training
The state’s Top Jobs List is the main tool officials use to identify which occupations are worth a closer look. According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the list is built from labor market projections, job posting trends and employer surveys, and it highlights jobs that both pay well and show strong long-term demand. The department’s press materials explain the wage and job openings thresholds that guide which careers make the cut, and those same priorities help shape where the state directs its training investments.
Across Ohio’s counties, OhioMeansJobs centers and career-technical programs plan to use In-Demand Jobs Week as a kind of concentrated showcase. Expect hiring fairs, virtual career events, and industry tours aimed not just at high school and college students but also at adults looking to switch careers or move up the ladder.
How to take part
Job seekers and students can find events, online tools, and a statewide job map through the WorkOhio portal and OhioMeansJobs. As detailed by WFMJ, users choose their region on the WorkOhio site and then request one-on-one support from a local job expert. Employers can contact their county OhioMeansJobs center to register for hiring events tied to In-Demand Jobs Week. Individual county pages will post specific job fair locations, times, and registration details as the week gets closer.
Regional hub leaders told local outlets that the goal is to make the hunt for work “simple, personalized and interesting,” rather than something people dread. Communities from Cincinnati to Marietta are already lining up fairs and trainings to connect residents with open positions, Marietta Times reported. State officials say this concentrated outreach is meant to speed up placements and help employers fill immediate needs as Ohio works to close skills gaps in health care, manufacturing, and tech.
