Husted Talks Workforce with Chillicothe Business Leaders

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Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted was in Chillicothe Monday for a meeting with area employers to share details about workforce development within the state budget currently under review by the legislators in Columbus.

After the session, Petland’s Steve Steele, noted many of the businesses in Southern Ohio have the similar issues, including the shortage in skilled workforce. “We’re investing in infrastructure, technology and distribution at Petland. We’re specifically looking for how we can invest in our workforce and how we can grow the skillsets as we continue the expansion (of business).”

Gleaning from similar meetings Husted has had across the state, the Lt. Governor encouraged a working relationship with local Career and Technology Centers to develop candidates for the demand for skilled workers.  

Jonathan Davis, Superintendent of the Pickaway-Ross CTC, says enrollment is up and there doesn’t appear to be a slowing point anytime soon. “Kids are finding the opportunity (for skilled work) and to be able to be in a room the Lt. Governor and businesses to further the conversation on a local level that’s being supported at the state, is massive. It’s just going to be a catalyst for all the things we’re trying to do at Pickaway-Ross.”

Horizon’s Misty Tuttle says her company is challenged with connecting 500-million homes in Ohio and she sees a lot of promise working with PRCTC. “We see lots of opportunity for continuing education  of our current employees as well as new employees.”

“Every business in this room is struggling to find the right candidate, and enough candidates to do the work we need to do” said Michael Linton, whose HVAC business, Accurate Heating, Cooling & Plumbing employs 162. That’s despite the economical success Ohio has experienced recently.

Husted told those in attendance, Ohio has gone from one of the bottom ten states businesses want to invest in, to the top ten in recent years. The Lt. Governor also mentioned that the state has had 48 companies move operations from the coasts to Ohio in recent years. “That includes corporate headquarters, that includes major tech companies, that includes major manufacturing companies.” Husted referenced huge wins such as the new Intel Semi-Conductor Operations and the plant which will build electric batteries for Honda of America which will break ground Tuesday in Fayette County.  “We’re now creating jobs faster than we can fill them” said Husted.

Also on the minds of employers, the benefits cliff. Many workers, working for low wages, receive public assistance for food, medical care, child care and housing. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, once a worker’s wages go upward, costs. Like educational fees, and higher taxes on one’s pay, can actually cause a dip in earned income. As a worker’s income grows, they’ll lose access to the public assistance which often comes before the worker can make enough money to cover their full expenses themselves.

Ken Shelton of local employment agency Staff Source, Inc. said the session was very informative and “good to hear the news firsthand that money is being allocated this direction to help fill the pipeline for future skilled trades.” Shelton was also pleased to hear the issue regarding the benefits cliff was being addressed and discussed at the state level.

The state is currently developing a plan called The Benefits Bridge. Linton says “It’s now being beta tested in twelve counties around the state. The objective is to get people off public assistance and into private benefits. The limitation has always been, when they reach a certain income threshold, they’re kicked out of public benefits. This program is an intermediary that helps take away the pain of losing some of those benefits with a very effectively planned transition program.”

“I’m really excited about what the future of Ohio’s economy holds” said Husted.