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House Passes Bill Highlighting Workforce Development Efforts

Healthy economy dependent on a skilled workforce
October 25, 2017
Republican Newsroom

State Representative Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) applauded the passage of Senate Bill 3, legislation that designates the full week beginning on the first Monday in May as "In-Demand Jobs Week.”

Senate Bill 3, sponsored by Senators Bill Beagle (R-Tipp City) and Troy Balderson (R-Zanesville), was initially the result of a study completed by the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board, of which Rep. Reineke is a member. The board discussed how to better connect businesses with individuals, align training with business requirements and identify the needs of businesses. Senate Bill 3 included various components of the group’s recommendations, however, during the budget process, through the leadership of Rep. Reineke, these various provisions were instead placed into the main operating budget passed in June.

During this week’s House session, Rep. Reineke addressed the members of the House of Representatives and underscored the importance of continuing to prioritize workforce development efforts through various initiatives, including the recognition of the first week in May as “In-Demand Jobs Week.”

The state operating budget included provisions that impact Ohio’s workforce, encouraging a stronger economy, such as:

    • Establishing standards, accountability, and reporting requirements for Business Advisory Councils for school district Boards of Education
    • Encouraging an increase of the percentage of adults in the state with a college degree, industry certificate, or other postsecondary credential to 65 percent by the year 2025
    • Developing of a Regional Workforce Collaboration Model to provide career services to students and requires Ohio to comply with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
    • Creating a Workforce Supply Tool that provides information on in-demand jobs
    • Utilizing public libraries as “continuous learning centers” that serve as hubs for information about local in-demand jobs and relevant education and job training resources
    • Increasing the OhioMeansJobs Revolving Loan Fund maximum award amount from $100,000 to $250,000 (per workforce program, per year)
    • Working to develop the amount of graduates in Advanced Technology and Cyber Security fields
    • Requiring a framework to be developed for school districts to use in granting units of high school credit to students who demonstrate work-based competency
    • Reforming Certificates of Qualification for Employment to help inmates transition into the workforce upon reentry

House Passes Bill Highlighting Workforce Development Efforts (PDF)