Regional Chamber Creates Workforce Training Guide

YOUNGSTOWN – The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber has launched its first Workforce/Education & Training Guide, which includes information on more than 100 industry members.

Youngstown State University’s Division of Workforce and the Mahoning County Training Association (MCTA) sponsored the effort, according to a press release.

The guide is the first of many collaborative efforts between the university, the Chamber and local workforce ecosystem partnerships, according to Jennifer Oddo, executive director of the Youngstown State University division of workforce.

“Our efforts to build collective regional impact for the Youngstown/Warren region will be key to talent, economic development and attraction,” she said.

The Regional Chamber is the business engagement partner of the local Ohio To Work initiative. Melissa Maiorano, Regional Chamber director of workforce development, said the guide is a way to take a “proactive approach” to connecting businesses and promoting workforce development.

“Recruitment and training resources are requested so frequently by our members,” she said.

The Ohio To Work initiative is managed by the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition (MVMC), which supports workforce development in the manufacturing, healthcare and information technology industries.

MVMC project manager Julie Michael Smith said the guide is an important resource to regional employers.

“There are many programs, providers and resources to support employers and employees, but oftentimes, the language, acronyms and requirements can be overwhelming,” she said. “MVMC appreciates the effort and dedication of the Regional Chamber to compile and maintain this important guide.”

The Workforce/Education & Training Guide supports the OhioMeansJobs Business Network in Mahoning Columbiana and Trumbull counties.

“This guide expedites access to resources for training and education to benefit our businesses and individuals in our local area,” said MCTA’s chief operating officer, Susie Kooser.

The Chambers press release says the guide will be shared with all of the companies the team is working with and will also remain available online. Information on the guide will be updated annually to include future workforce and training services.

The Workforce/Education & Training Guide can be accessed at https://regionalchamber.com/economicdevelopment/library.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.