Good Jobs Challenge Program - OMA Award to AOMC

Good Jobs Challenge Program - OMA Award to AOMC

Funder: Economic Development Administration (EDA) - American Rescue Plan Act (ARP)

Lead Applicant: Ohio Manufacturers Association (OMA)

Recipient: Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers' Coalition (AOMC)

Award Amount: Up to $930,000 over three years (part of $23,492,808 total OMA award)

Program Type: One of 32 programs nationwide to receive portion of $500 million in federal funds aimed at getting Americans back to work

Geographic Scope: Southeast Ohio (Appalachian communities prioritized), with OMA network statewide reach

Project Period: 36 months

Program Purpose

Strengthening workforce partnerships that lead to good-paying jobs by recruiting and upskilling manufacturing workers across Ohio.

Target Job Openings & Occupations

Projected Openings:
• 50,000+ annual openings in targeted occupations
• 150,000 openings in next 36 months in Ohio

Target Occupations:

Machining

Production

Welding

Industrial maintenance

Automation and robotics

Wage Information: $17.60/hour prevailing wage for targeted occupations

Employer Engagement

• 1,600+ manufacturers in OMA's statewide network
• 120 manufacturers submitted letters of commitment to source new hires
• Employer demand: 25,000+ hires in next five years
• Goal: 1,000 Ohio employers to engage in hiring, retaining, or advancing participants

Target Populations (Priority Groups)

• Ohio's 32 Appalachian communities
• Eight largest urban counties
• Underrepresented groups in manufacturing workforce:
- People of color - Women - Veterans - Returning citizens

Training Model: Entry-Level Learn-and-Earn (ELLE)

Evidence-based model that includes:
• Recruiting
• Pre-screening
• Job skills training
• Onboarding
• Ongoing support and job coaching

Designed to allow employers to build a workforce trained to their specific needs.

Goals & Outcomes

• Enroll 6,000 participants across the state in one or more training programs
• Lead to job offers or upskilling opportunities at incumbent employers
• Operationalize sustainable new training programs
• Formalize referral partnerships
• Accelerate ISPs' momentum
• Build underrepresented communities' interest in manufacturing careers

Program Focus Areas

• Entry-level workforce preparation
• Upskilling incumbent workers
• Industry Sector Partnership coordination
• Recruiting from underrepresented populations
• Employer engagement and retention

Contact Information

Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers' Coalition
• Director: James Ruble
• Phone: 740-672-5183
• Email: director@aomanufacturers.org

Ohio Manufacturers' Association

President: Ryan Augsburger

Website: ohiomfg.com

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