BioOhio Receives $5M from Department of Labor to Support Workforce Development Initiative

The US Department of Labor has awarded BioOhio and partners $5 million to implement the Ohio Bioscience Industry Workforce Preparedness project.

The program will provide training to displaced or underemployed workers in declining industries.  It will also provide training to 40 additional incumbent workers so that they can move into higher level positions, thus opening the door for more entry level biosciences jobs. 

The program brings together industry and academia to assure that educational curricula meet industry needs.  Academic partners include six community colleges across the state, including Columbus State.  Industry is being represented by 11 biomedical employers which have currently committed to partnering on the program.  In Central Ohio, Roxanne, PharmaForce and International Specialty Products have signed on.  These employers will play a critical role in helping develop more complete industry career pathways and ensuring that the knowledge and skills needed to perform successfully in their industry are addressed.  They have further pledged to consider qualified applicants who complete the program for openings in their organizations.

More than half the $5 million grant will be designated for tuition reimbursement and trainee scholarships.
For more, see the release from BioOhio