In-Demand Jobs Week Wrap-Up

 

 

OOD staff, participants, and partners were active during the sixth annual In-Demand Jobs Week (IDJW), which was held May 1-5, 2023. In collaboration with other organizations and a total of 66 OOD Employer Partners, seven events across the state connected 132 qualified job seekers and students with disabilities to in-demand jobs and opportunities. 

 

During IDJW, Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted launched a new resource that provides information to students, parents, and teachers about the different career pathways available to high schoolers. The “Find Your Career Pathway” video and toolkit aim to guide students in their educational journey to land a successful career right here in Ohio. For more information about the video and toolkit, visit Workforce.Ohio.gov/CareerPathways. 

 

OOD and Lima Senior High School hosted a “mini-expo” for juniors and seniors with disabilities. Students learned about Career Pathways/In-Demand Jobs from local employers and participated in job-seeking skills educational sessions. The event was covered by WLIO/Hometown Stations and The Lima News. 

 

In partnership with Columbus State Community College, OOD held a “Career Pathways Event,” which included presentations from OOD Employer Partners, for current Ohio College2Careers students and potential participants. The event included a virtual option for area transition students and OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors. 

 

OOD partnered to provide a tour at the Youngstown State University Excellence Training Center, highlighting available training and credential programs as well as manufacturing employment opportunities. After the tour, a local employer led a discussion about 3-D printer technology with OOD participants in attendance. 

 

In collaboration with OhioMeansJobs (OMJ) Summit County, OOD hosted a job fair for OOD and OMJ job seekers in Akron with 13 employers in the manufacturing, IT, healthcare, and transportation/logistics sectors. 

 

OOD Director Kevin L. Miller was on hand at OOD’s Dayton job fair and hiring event at Wright State University. The event connected approximately 40 job seekers with 17 employers. 

 

OOD Employer Partner events included an “Inclusive Employer Roundtable Wrap-Up” for businesses who have been participating in this networking and learning series to share ideas for an inclusive workplace. Ron Klonowski, East Central Area Business Relations Specialist (BRS), provided an overview of services available for employers at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce Employer Roundtable. 

 

If you are an employer looking to diversify and strengthen your workforce by including people with disabilities, let OOD customize a no-cost Training Program for Your Business. Please get in touch with the OOD BRS in your area to schedule a meeting.