Tressel visits Marietta to discuss WorkOhio statewide launch
Parkersburg News and Sentinel / Amber Phipps Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel speaks about the WorkOhio initiative at the Lafayette Hotel in Marietta on Wednesday. He described it as “a new initiative to connect Ohioans with in-demand jobs in their area through personalized support from teams of regional job experts.”
MARIETTA — Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel visited the Lafayette Hotel, one of two stops on Wednesday, to kick off his statewide WorkOhio initiative tour.
Tressel made his way from his first stop in Cincinnati to Marietta, where he shared his recently launched workforce initiative with a crowd of officials and workforce leaders across the region.
Tressel announced the launch of WorkOhio on Jan. 15. The program’s goal is to connect Ohioans with jobs and support from regional job experts.
“WorkOhio is a culmination of a listening tour we did all over the state of Ohio by assessing all of the wonderful opportunities we have for future and current workforce needs,” Tressel said.
He said the goal isn’t to add more programs, but to work together with regions and the state to help and learn from one another so Ohioans can reach their full potential.
There are seven regional job hubs available through WorkOhio. There are two for the Northeast Ohio region: MAGNET and the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition.
According to WorkOhio, “Each regional job hub works closely with community connectors — local organizations throughout your region that expand the help available to you — providing specialized services to support your job search.”
Tressel said the goal is to make job searching simple, personalized and interesting.
“As we traveled the state to see what opportunities there were, we saw that those opportunities are a little bit different by region,” said Tressel. “We’re going to be working hard to fill the needs of each region.”
WorkOhio is a collaboration between county, regional and state entities all working toward helping individuals find a job that interests them and gives them a sense of fulfillment. An individual will visit WorkOhio.gov, where they can select a region and get connected with a community connector who will personalize their experience.
“We have a regional hub leader and then we have all of the various community connectors that are already in place, whether it’s Job and Family Services or a coalition like the Manufacturers Coalition or whatever is already in existence. We can use them to spread the word,” he said.
Tressel said this is very collaborative work and it’s a great experience for those who are trying to enter into the workforce.
“We feel compelled to make sure we do all we can possibly do to give our citizens of Ohio, no matter where they’re coming from, we want to meet them where they are and give them the chance to reach their God-given potential,” he said.
While the programming is in its beginning stages, Tressel said they are going to track the statistics of each region as it moves forward to learn what works best for each one.
Washington State College of Ohio President Dr. Sarah Parker said this is a great commitment to the workforce in the region.
“This recognizes the simple truth that when we work together, we’re not just working efficiently but we’re also working effectively,” Parker said.
Local News
City OKs right-of-way legislation for signal project
County inks agreement for demo of EGCC building to build new county government center
Women who operated 3 illicit massage parlors sentenced
Lordstown readies for EPA hearing
LORDSTOWN — Village officials say they are prepared to make their statements at an upcoming hearing for Trumbull ...
Trumbull commissioners, 911 employees agree to new pact
Staff report WARREN — Trumbull County commissioners approved a three-year contract with its 911 union employees ...
Hubbard plan for stormwater drainage due to EPA in March
HUBBARD — While one of the city’s water facilities has passed its EPA inspection, officials will have more work ...