The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber is excited to launch its first Workforce/Education & Training Guide to promote the capabilities of member businesses in those sectors and provide a single source of information for companies that need their services. The easy-to-use piece includes more than 100 industry members covering all aspects of training and workforce services: Education, Training, Career Counseling and Coaching, WorkAdvance, Ohio Technical Center Services, Continuing Education and more!
Regional Chamber Director of Workforce Development Melissa Maiorano said, “The Chamber is taking a proactive approach to facilitate business-to-business connections for workforce development activity. Recruitment and training resources are requested so frequently by our members, and we are excited to promote these resources that are helpful in serving individuals in our community. We are thankful for the support of Ohio To Work, a JobsOhio initiative, and our local sponsors to help make this guide possible.”
The Regional Chamber is the business engagement partner of the Ohio To Work initiative in the Valley, while the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition (MVMC) manages the initiative and supports workforce development in the industries of manufacturing, healthcare and information technology.
“The guide is a valuable resource for our regional employers,” said MVMC Project Manager Julie Michael Smith. “There are many programs, providers and resources to support employers and employees, but oftentimes, the language, acronyms and requirements can be overwhelming. MVMC appreciates the effort and dedication of the Regional Chamber to compile and maintain this important guide.”
Youngstown State University’s Division of Workforce and Mahoning County Training Association (MCTA) both sponsored this effort. The guide supports both organizations in their business engagement efforts, which supports workforce and economic development in the region.
“This guide is just the first step of many collective efforts with YSU, the Chamber and our many workforce ecosystem partnerships here in the Youngstown/Warren region. Our efforts to build collective regional impact for the Youngstown/Warren region will be key to talent, economic development and attraction,” noted Executive Director of the Youngstown State University Division of Workforce Jennifer Oddo.
The guide is also supporting our region’s OhioMeansJobs Business Resource Network in Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull counties. MCTA’s Chief Operating Officer Susie Kooser said, “This guide expedites access to resources for training and education to benefit our businesses and individuals in our local area. It serves as a valuable tool for the Business Resource Network to navigate responsive employment solutions.”
The Workforce/Education & Training Guide was created with input from Ohio To Work partners representing various aspects of the industry who provided feedback on the content of the piece.
The Regional Chamber is currently managing more than $1 billion in pending investment, which includes the addition of 1,650 new jobs, as well as 815 retained jobs. The Workforce/Education & Training Guide will be shared with all companies the team is working with, as well as available online. The piece will be updated annually to reflect the addition of new workforce and training services, and to promote our region’s efforts.
The guide may be accessed here.