June 12, 2013
June 12, 2013
Contact: Hannah Halbert, 614.221.4505Download StatementSector partnerships have led to increased earnings for participants in other states. It’s time we create similar opportunities for Ohioans.
At the June 11 meeting of the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board, the Office of Workforce Transformation announced support for statewide industry sector partnerships.
“Sector partnerships have led to increased earnings for participants in other states,” said Hannah Halbert, workforce researcher for Policy Matters Ohio. “It’s time we create similar opportunities for Ohioans.”
Sector partnerships will help Ohio by bringing together employers, educators and training providers, economic and workforce development officials, labor and community allies to develop workforce training for in-demand occupations. Successful partnerships are driven by employer demand, and focus on supporting career pathway advancement for incumbent workers and for low-skilled adults entering or re-entering the workforce.
Sector based strategies are especially important for Ohio’s poor families. According to the 2011 American Community Survey, nearly half of the poor families in the state work, and parents in most of those families have no formal education beyond high school.
“Far too many Ohioans are working low-skill, low-wage jobs,” said Halbert. “Investments made in building regional partnerships will maximize state workforce training resources to help those most in need.”
We applaud the governor and the Office of Workforce Transformation for supporting this model and thank our partners on the Ohio Workforce Coalition for their continued advocacy.
Read our latest report recommending sector strategies, “Employment Connection: Demand-driven model increases job placement,” at www.policymattersohio.org/employment-apr2013.
Read the Ohio Workforce Coalition’s statement on sector partnerships at http://ohioworkforcecoalition.org/2013/06/12/owc-gwib-sector-announcement/.
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