Rosenberger hosts governor's office of Workforce Transformation for Local Business forum

State Representative Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) welcomed the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation (OWT) to Wilmington to meet and discuss with local businesses new developments in the areas of incumbent worker training and workforce development.

Ferno-Washington hosted the luncheon meeting where 14 local businesses representing Clinton, Highland and Ross counties were in attendance to share their particular experience with workforce development in Ohio.

Representative Rosenberger joined Mike Evans, Workforce Board Specialist with OWT, Congressman Steve Stivers, Senator Bob Peterson, Daryl Revoldt of JobsOhio, and Clinton County Economic Development Director Bret Dixon for the meeting hosted by Rep. Rosenberger.

“I hope that by gaining insight from some of the challenges our local companies face, Ohio’s efforts in workforce development will be able to address where the system can be improved; both locally and statewide,” Rosenberger said. “Ohio’s economy is beginning an upswing, and I want our local workforce to be prepared and ensure the tools are in place to meet the demands once the jobs are here. That was the purpose for this meeting”

“We need to make sure we are doing all we can to support our current base of businesses that continue to be the lifeblood of what drives our local economies. Ohio is taking big steps in the right direct and we want to take advantage of it and share some of our ideas with the state as well.” Dixon said.

“One of the most important things a State Senator can do is to connect constituents with leaders of state government,” said Peterson. “I was glad to have the opportunity to participate in this meeting that brought local businesses together with state agencies that can help businesses develop their workforces now and in the future.”

The Office of Workforce Transformation was created by executive order in 2012 by Governor John Kasich to reform Ohio’s current workforce development system which is comprised of 77 different programs across 13 state agencies, with 1,300 possible points of entry for a customer and almost 12,000 different processes. Under OWT, the programs will be streamlined from 77 down to 2, one for workers and one for businesses.

Following a meeting with the Office of Workforce Transformation, Rosenberger observed that it would be beneficial to invite OWT to an event where businesses could share their perspectives with the agency.