Ohio To Work gave me the opportunity and the means to make the change I only dreamed of previously. The future looks very bright.
– AMIYRA A. — Ohio job seeker
To continue accessing free career services like personalized career coaching, training options and financial aid, contact an OhioMeansJobs Center in your area.
Career Coaching and Job Seeker Assistance
When you partner with a Career Coach, you’ll receive hands-on, practical support finding a job. From resume help, interview preparation, and funding opportunities, a Career Coach is a long-term partner who will help you meet your goals. OhioMeansJobs also provides access to the internet, computers, printers, and technical training at their Job Centers.
Review the Statewide Impact of Ohio To Work
The COVID-19 pandemic made a significant impact on Ohio workers, their families, and the economy. Ohio To Work, a statewide initiative, was created by JobsOhio and Governor DeWine’s team to assist with recovery efforts.
Over the span of two years, JobsOhio and its partners connected more than 200 employers, 33 training providers, 42 community organizations and 85 Career Coaches in Cleveland, Cincinnati/Dayton, Columbus, Mahoning Valley, and Toledo.
The Ohio To Work initiative connected job seekers across the state with career resources, training options, and in-demand employment opportunities with local employers in the manufacturing, healthcare, and technology industries.
Although the Ohio To Work initiative concluded at the end of 2022, dedicated workforce partners will continue to provide services to Ohio’s job seekers that can lead to new opportunities with long-term personal and professional benefits.
The Results:
• 211,365 job seekers served
• 19,192 received career training
• 26,114 received job placements or internships
To learn more about Ohio To Work, the partners involved, and the overall impact the initiative had on the state of Ohio, view the full report from JobsOhio or watch the recap video.
“We are a Cybersecurity company and we work with our clients to not only identify any threats that come in but also help mediate and help service them along the way. Our teammates are our family. We believe that we can bring great talent and help grow them… We create an environment that people want to work at!”
Ariel Acuna, Chief People Office – Vigilant
“Manufacturing has continued to grow and develop and become a clean working environment – whether you’re making automotive parts like my company or if you’re making beverages or food – whatever it may be. Cleanliness is really important in manufacturing to also ensure the quality of your products. There are a lot of career opportunities available in the field and you’re also going to find that it is one of the higher-paying career choices – even at the entry-level.”
Shawn Hendrix, President – Nissen Chemitec America, Inc.
“My new job allowed me the opportunity to grow and live a better life. I can now remodel my home and do so many things that I couldn’t thanks to my job.”
Bernard J., Heavy Machinery Operator – ELLWOOD Aluminum
“Had it not been for Marti [Goodwill Columbus Coach] and her connections, I would not have had this opportunity. It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Knowing Marti is what helped me get to where I am today!”
Katrina W., Patient Support Specialist – PrimaryOne Health
“When I was in high school, I did a program called Urban League. After I graduated, I was in a college course for Occupational Therapy and I didn’t really enjoy it that much. So I had hit [Urban League of Greater Cleveland coach] Nate Phillips back up about different opportunities about machining and manufacturing, and how I could get my foot in the door because it was what I had liked to do. I did the program, I passed the first part of the program, I passed the program, and now I’m on my way to be a CNC Machiner.”
Olympio W., Cleveland job seeker training at Cuyahoga Community College
“I would not have been able to take [the We Can Code It] bootcamp if it weren’t for the tuition reimbursement. I was unemployed, so all I was getting was the unemployment and there was no way that I could afford the tuition. So, by making that accessible, I had to pay a portion of it, but I feel like it was money so well spent. I feel like We Can Code It took the worst year of my life and turned it around.”
Linda M., Cleveland graduate of We Can Code It
“I was put in front of a several employers and a lot of them had expressed interest, whether they had positions available or not, they definitely expressed interest. The help as far as the [Tech Elevator] Pathway program and the [employer] matchmaking, that made a huge difference, and I think that made the difference that gave me the chance or, at least, presented me the opportunity and took it, to get employed at Gainwell.”
Marté S., Cleveland Tech Elevator graduate now employed full time
“I had been applying for jobs all over the place, and my training coach helped me find my current role in less than two months. Thanks to the initiative, I am now a Patient Access Representative at the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. This is a full-time position with great benefits and vacation time, and there’s a clear path to becoming a team lead. Before this experience, my mental health was suffering, but now my overall outlook is improved.”
Allison F., Cleveland job seeker now employed full time
“The Ohio To Work “Interview Days” are great for our job seekers. These Interview Days focus on particular industries where we have many job seekers with specific experience, training and interests. Right now, I’m working with a woman who has finished classes in a particular industry but was facing dead-ends for interviews.”
Nate Phillips, Career Coach, Urban League of Greater Cleveland
“Whatever it takes. I was scheduled to meet my client at the library to walk him through the process, but the library was closed due to COVID. We don’t give up easily. I called a program coordinator who was able to connect him to an employer hiring for his skills.”
Karen Gusik, Career Coach, Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio
“I interviewed and got the job. Now I’m a line operator at Mace Security. It’s a full-time position with a good owner and a lot of good people working there. I’m working the third shift which is good for me because I have kids and I’m attending classes to add to my manufacturing skills.”
Will S., Cleveland job seeker now employed full-time
“I was already researching boot camps when my career coach told me about their collaboration with Tech Elevator. Tech Elevator’s high review scores were appealing, and the training grant made enrollment feasible.”
Jan C., Cleveland Tech Elevator Bootcamp graduate
“We found the virtual career fair program and platform [powered by Ohio To Work] easy to use, and excellent support was provided for out booth set-up and the chat feature was especially helpful. We definitely reached some candidates that have good potential to be hired.”
Hayley Whalen, Professional Cabling Solutions, Cincinnati
“Prior to the virtual career fair [powered by Ohio To Work] we went through ALL of the registrants, looking for people that were interested in manufacturing or weren’t sure what they were looking for and invited them to our booth. One name caught our eye, it was a person who had previously been on assignment with Mace through an employment agency. We invited him to our booth and this candidate is one of three people hired at Mace from the virtual career fair. The virtual career fair was well worth my time spent. In addition to our new hires, it created a nice pipeline of candidates for upcoming positions as well!”
HR Manager, Mace Security International
“Before the pandemic, I was performing well in my career field. Then COVID hit. At first, I was just furloughed but then my job went away. And it wasn’t coming back. I attended an Ohio To Work information session and learned about the We Can Code It program. I knew another opportunity like this would never come along again. I was able to get scholarships through Ohio To Work and We Can Code It, so there were no costs to me except books.”
Amiyra A., Cleveland We Can Code It Bootcamp graduate
Vigilant’s Success Story
Ariel Acuna, Chief People Office – Vigilant
Nissen’s Success Story
Shawn Hendrix, President – Nissen Chemitec America, Inc.
Bernard’s Success Story
Bernard J., Heavy Machinery Operator – ELLWOOD Aluminum
Katrina’s Success Story
Katrina W., Patient Support Specialist – PrimaryOne Health
Olympio’s Success Story
Olympio W., Cleveland job seeker training at Cuyahoga Community College
Linda’s Success Story
Linda M., Cleveland graduate of We Can Code It
Marté’s Success Story
Marté S., Cleveland Tech Elevator graduate now employed full time
Allison’s Success Story
Allison F., Cleveland job seeker now employed full time
NATE’S SUCCESS STORY
The Ohio To Work “Interview Days” are great for our job seekers. These Interview Days focus on particular industries where we have many job seekers with specific experience, training and interest. Right now, I’m working with a woman who has finished classes in a particular industry but was facing dead-ends for interviews. Through the Interview Days, she saw the pathway to the interview within her chosen industry and even more, with her employers of choice. It’s a very pinpointed experience for our job seekers. On her own, she likely would not have been able to quickly, and directly, get to a conversation with the recruiters.
Nate Phillips, Career Coach, Urban League of Greater Cleveland
KAREN’S SUCCESS STORY
Karen Gusik, Career Coach, Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio
WILL’S SUCCESS STORY
I was working, doing odd jobs and some temp work. So it was work, but not very reliable and without much promise for the future. And, with a criminal record, there were a lot of doors that were just closed to me.
Through the virtual career fair [powered by Ohio To Work], I was linked with Mace Security. I had done some temp work for Mace a few years ago and they recognized my name among the list of job seekers.
I interviewed and got the job. Now I’m a line operator at Mace Security. It’s a full-time position with a good owner and a lot of good people working there. I’m working the third shift which is good for me because I have kids and I’m attending classes to add to my manufacturing skills.
I would recommend the virtual career fair to anyone. You don’t have to worry about getting anywhere, it’s simple and quick.
Will S., Cleveland job seeker now employed full-time
JAN’S SUCCESS STORY
I was already researching boot camps when my career coach told me about their collaboration with Tech Elevator. Tech Elevator’s high review scores were appealing, and the training grant made enrollment feasible.
My career coach was extremely responsive, by both phone and email. He worked with agencies offering financial assistance, informed me of available jobs, provided insight with strength assessment tools, reviewed my resume, and helped with interview preparation. My career coach has been there for me in whatever capacity I needed, throughout this journey. I couldn’t be happier with my experience.
Jan C., Cleveland Tech Elevator Bootcamp graduate
PROFESSIONAL CABLING SOLUTIONS’ SUCCESS STORY
Hayley Whalen, Professional Cabling Solutions, Cincinnati
MACE SECURITY INTERNATIONAL’S SUCCESS STORY
HR Manager, Mace Security International
AMIYRA’S SUCCESS STORY
Before the pandemic, I was performing well in my career field. Then COVID hit. At first, I was just furloughed but then my job went away. And it wasn’t coming back.
I attended an Ohio To Work information session and learned about the We Can Code It program. I knew another opportunity like this would never come along again. I was able to get scholarships through Ohio To Work and We Can Code It so there were no costs to me except books.
My career coach from Ohio Means Jobs has been wonderful. He feels like a best friend because he’s always rooting for you. He has great suggestions. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have known about We Can Code It.
The training from We Can Code It is different than my college career. In college, I developed skills to be a jack-of-all-trades but with We Can Code It, now I have a profession that nobody can take from me. And I know exactly what type of jobs to look for.
The pandemic and Ohio to Work gave me the opportunity and the means to make the change I only dreamed of previously.
The future looks very bright.
Amiyra A., Cleveland We Can Code It Bootcamp graduate