Ohio Workforce Guarantee Program

In an ever changing economic environment, the Ohio Department of Development is committed to creating opportunities for Ohio's workers and companies to stay competitive and current in their fields. The Ohio Workforce Guarantee is a program that companies can use to ensure their workers are on the cutting edge of their industry.

Managed by the Ohio Department of Development's Workforce and Talent Division, the Ohio Workforce Guarantee provides technical and financial assistance directly to employers to train their workers. The Ohio Workforce Guarantee supports companies in the following industries:

• Advanced Energy and Environmental Technologies
• Aerospace and Aviation
• Agriculture and Food Processing
• Bioscience and Bioproducts
• Corporate and Professional Services
• Distribution and Logistics
• Instruments, Controls, and Electronics
• Motor Vehicles and Parts Manufacturing
• Polymers and Advanced Materials

Who is here to help?

The Program is administered by the Ohio Department of Development through its Regional Workforce Directors, who work in the Governor's 12 Economic Development Regional Office. Workforce Directors assess the unique training needs of companies, and guide employers through all phases of the application and approval process, at no cost to the business.

How do I participate?

A company must fall into one of Ohio's nine statewide targeted industries. They can then contact one of the state's Regional Workforce Directors to help get them started. Employers have the ability to choose the training provider, and the company can either provide its own training, or engage an outside training vendor. The Ohio Workforce Guarantee will reimburse grantees the cost of approved training for full-time employees receiving at least $10.88 per hour, excluding benefits.

Last year, more than $13 million in Ohio Workforce Guarantee grants were provided, resulting in training for roughly 1,600 new hires and more than 8,300 incumbent workers.

Contact a Regional Workforce Director

Ohio Workforce Guarantee success stories

Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services in Wilmington combines Ohio Workforce Guarantee funds and National Emergency Grant funds to retrain employees in careers involving maintenance and repair of 767, 757, and 747 aircraft models. The AMES employees earned portable certifications. Administrative and supervising staff are currently receiving training in project management and leadership, which is supporting the growth of the company. Currently the company employs more than 350 full-time workers, and is well on its way to their goal of 431 jobs.

Libby Glass trained 140 employees and retained all 1,405 employees its World Headquarters in Toledo with the assistance of the Ohio Workforce Guarantee. The State of Ohio worked with the company on a grant that will help create 50 jobs and allow the company to invest $20-$30 million in new machinery and equipment during the next three years. The plant offers visual proof that Ohio is a manufacturing leader and that Toledo is still the "Glass City."

Logan Clutch Corporation of Cleveland purchased an under-performing clutch line, made necessary capital improvements for manufacturing, and created a larger global market for the company. The company was awarded two Ohio Workforce Guarantee grants to train 25 employees in quality training, covering American Bureau of Shipping and International Marine Standards.

Midmark Corporation, located in Versailles, has added more than 150 jobs in the last three years due to expanding its global distribution to Europe and beyond. The company makes medical equipment and cabinetry and has also expanded into furnishing veterinary clinics. The company has invested nearly $1 million in training and has utilized a $135,000 Ohio Workforce Guarantee grant, along with Project HIRE funds, to offset training costs of current worker. This has increased quality standards, improved communication across product lines, and increased flexibility to use equipment in making more diversified products.

Rolls Royce trained 227 employees with Ohio Workforce Guarantee funds last year. The company had committed to increasing their employment level from 837 to 937, but recently reported an employment level of 1,053, which is 116 employees over their projections.

Note: OWG (Ohio Workforce Guarantee) formerly known as OITP ( Ohio Investment Training Program)