‘Ohio to Work’ Mahoning Valley Initiative Wins Statewide Award

A regional initiative to recruit, train and offer employment to displaced workers was awarded a state agency’s top honor at an awards event outside of Columbus.

Representatives from Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition and the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber accepted the “Excellence in Workforce Development” award from the Ohio Economic Development Association.

The recognition was specific to the Ohio To Work project’s impact in the Mahoning Valley. Click HERE to view a 3-minute video about Ohio to Work Mahoning Valley.

MVMC is the operations manager for Ohio to Work Mahoning Valley, while the Regional Chamber is a primary partner.

“We’re thankful to JobsOhio first and foremost, who created Ohio To Work,” said Jessica Borza, MVMC executive director. “It was great to have resources to draw from and to give us the space to think about new and creative ways to address the labor market disruptions and make these connections.”

Local Ohio to Work partner organizations who were instrumental in its success include OhioMeansJobs of Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties, National Center for Urban Solutions, United Returning Citizens, and Flying High.

Melissa Maiorano, the Regional Chamber’s director of workforce development, said the initiative has served 10,000 jobseekers to-date and achieved true momentum for the success of the region.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.