Growth Report 2017: OhioMeansJobs Aids Job Seekers, Employers
Editor’s Note: The following story is from Growth Report 2017, published by The Business Journal.
By Gloria T. Mathews, Communications Assistant, OhioMeansJobs
LISBON, Ohio — The year 2016 was another year of exceptional service to the job seekers and employers by OhioMeansJobs Centers in Mahoning and Columbiana counties.
The centers provide job seekers a variety of employment-related services including workshops and access to communications equipment.
Some job seekers are interested in changing careers and OhioMeansJobs Centers offer information on in-demand occupations. Most, however, are looking for a job or a better job in their field and in the area.
In addition to having computers that job seekers can use to job search online, there are phones to call potential employers and fax machines and scanners that can be used to transmit resumes and applications to businesses. Frequently recruitments are held at the OhioMeansJobs Centers.
In 2016, 135 recruiting events were held at the two area centers. Of those, 72 were in Mahoning County and 63 were in Columbiana County. Those hiring events were conducted for a wide range of companies ranging from manufacturing and heavy industry to health care, from sales consultants to protective services, from computer tech to truck drivers.
Last year, 6,728 individuals OhioMeansJobs Columbiana County, OhioMeansJobs Mahoning County and the satellite facility at the Oakhill Renaissance Center in Youngstown.
Those individuals made a total of 20,043 visits as they sought employment opportunities.
A number of customers were referred to one or more of the OhioMeansJobs Centers’ partners as well as to community agencies that provide specialized services.
The range of services available at OhioMeansJobs Centers – at no cost – has helped many find employment. The local unemployment rate exceeded 8% at the beginning of 2016 and by year-end it had fallen below 6% but the flow of job seekers to the centers held relatively steady.
The other specialized service of the OhioMeansJobs Centers is helping employers find good candidates for job openings. Each center has a business services representative dedicated to working with employers. Business services include posting job openings on OhioMeansJobs.com, organizing recruiting events and accepting job applications on behalf of employers.
Referrals to the Business Resource Network, a partnership of government agencies, education providers and associations that provide assistance to business, is also provided by the business representatives.
During 2016, the local centers worked with 267 employers to find workers. The business service representatives posted 648 job orders and organized the recruiting events.
Most of the recruiting events were open to the public and job seekers came with resumes and completed job applications. Some businesses used the OhioMeansJobs Center facilities to conduct interviews with pre-selected candidates. The business services are provided at no cost to employers.
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