Funding sought for workforce development and training programs for manufacturing jobs
CANTON – Local workforce development efforts are seeking help in a quest for cash available in federal programs after receiving a funding boost from the state.
The funds will be used to cover costs related to preparing and training workers for manufacturing jobs.
The Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership (SCMWFD) is asking local manufacturers for commitment letters detailing each company's hiring needs for the next five years, as well as the types of jobs that will be available.
More: Attention Stark County manufacturers: Opportunity is knocking
The partnership is working with the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and will apply for two Good Jobs Challenge grants. Commitment letters supporting the grants must be submitted by Jan. 26.
The information will help the partnership as it seeks funds through the Good Jobs Challenge, part of the American Rescue Plan and managed by the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
State funding already awarded
The SCMWFD already has received a $100,000 Spark Grant from Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, which is led by Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. The partnership also has received a $30,000 grant through the Ohio Manufacturers Association.
The American Rescue Plan included $500 million for the Good Jobs Challenge. The goal is to develop programs that bring employers who have hiring needs together with entities that train workers. Workers will learn skills that lead to good-paying jobs.
Barbara Bennett, the Canton Chamber's vice president for education and workforce, said the manufacturers are seeking workers with technical skills to operate robotic equipment or work with artificial intelligence.
Grants already awarded to the workforce partnership will serve as seed money to launch activities that promote manufacturing jobs and train workers for entry level positions in manufacturing. James T. Batchelder, SCMWFD president, said the funds will help manufacturers recruit and train employees for hundreds of manufacturing jobs available at local companies.
Two options to fund effort
The concern is that Stark County won't have enough workers to fill the open jobs, Bennett said.
The SCMWDP and Canton Chamber are working with the OMA on one Good Jobs Challenge grant, and with neighboring Northeast Ohio counties on the second grant. The program limits the Stark County community to receiving one of the grants.
"We're not the only community with this problem," Bennett said, noting that agencies across the country are competing for the funds.
The grant with the OMA and other manufacturing groups around Ohio would — if successful — secure up to $600,000 per year for three years, Bennett said.
In the other grant option, Stark officials are working with agencies in Summit, Cuyahoga and Lorain counties. That proposal could bring in $400,000 per year.
Either grant would be a game changer for the SCMWDP, Bennett said.
As of Thursday, six area companies had provided Bennett with commitment letters supporting the SCMWDP's efforts to secure Good Jobs Challenger funds. Those companies estimate that during the next five years they will have to hire 800 people. In some cases, the companies will be replacing retirees or they will be creating new jobs because of growth.
The SCMWDP formed in March 2021, with the Canton Chamber and six area manufacturing companies as the initial members. The effort has grown to more than 40 manufacturers, schools and other organizations focused on expanding and training Stark County's labor force.
Good Jobs Challenge
The Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership is seeking grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The American Rescue Plan allocated $500 million for the Good Jobs Challenge.
Local manufacturers are being asked to provide a commitment letter supporting the grant application. The letter asks hiring demand for the next five years and the most important of jobs.
For more details contact:
Barbara Bennett
Vice President of Education and Workforce
Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce
330-458.2059
barbb@cantonchamber.org
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark County Manufacturing Workforce seeks funding through grants
