OhioMeansJobs (OMJ) Knox County is the Workforce Development division of the Knox County Department of Job and Family Services.
Knox was one of three counties selected to present at the County Commissioners Association of Ohio's (CCAO) winter conference.
Brandy Booth, Workforce Development administrator – along with representatives from Fairfield and Seneca counties – spoke about the innovative workforce initiatives happening within each of the respective counties. Timothy Bubb, Licking County commissioner, was the event moderator.
Booth emphasized how strong partnerships have been and will continue to be the most important part of developing the workforce in Knox County.
"One agency or entity cannot be everything to everybody, but instead, we must capitalize on each other's expertise and work together to solve problems," Booth said.
She then explained that several years ago a Workforce Development Alliance (WorkDev) was formed in Knox County to collaborate on ways to help businesses and job seekers make connections and advance skills. WorkDev is now part of the Area Development Foundation (Economic Development). Group members consist of representatives from local government, OhioMeansJobs Knox County, the local Chamber of Commerce, the Office of Workforce Development (OWD), business leaders, educational providers, and non-profit organizations.
To identify why workers were leaving the workforce or staying on the sidelines, WorkDev engaged in one of the largest projects the committee has worked on to date and commissioned a workforce study through a professional consulting firm.
"We knew that the lack of workers was not a result of people receiving unemployment benefits or public assistance, because the unemployment numbers have remained low and the number of work-eligible recipients of public assistance (who are not working) has been steadily declining for the past several years," Booth said.
OhioMeansJobs Knox County received special grant funding through the Greater Ohio Workforce Board, Inc. (GOWBI) to cover the cost of the study, which gathered actionable data and provided recommendations in five areas that the county should focus on to build and support the local workforce. Those recommendations included making childcare and transportation available, improving job quality and employment pathways, and opening jobs to non-traditional workers. Five committees were formed – one for each of the recommendations – with members who guide projects addressing each of the recommended areas. These committees meet regularly; they have several projects in progress and ideas for several more.
Booth highlighted current partnership programs that are already in place, such as the Knox ASPECT manufacturing job readiness program, the Career Navigator position that works with local high schoolers, and OhioMeansJobs Knox Center-specific programs, including a robust outreach program (funded through WIOA Adult, SNAP, or TANF), youth paid work experience with an on-site education component (funded through CCMEP), on-site high school credit recovery and GED for young adults (funded through CCMEP), and a SNAP benefits bridge program (funded with general revenue funds provided by ODJFS or PRC).
"We know that these issues are complex and there is not one fix that is going to solve these problems," Booth said. "Our vision is that these committees will continue for years to come. Certainly, over time, committee members will change hands, but the work will not stop."
For more information on local programs, contact OhioMeansJobs Knox County at 740-392-WORK (9675).
