May 8, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Commerce: COLUMBUS, Ohio – As part of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation’s seventh annual In-Demand Jobs Week, the Ohio Department of Commerce is partnering with the Department of Youth Services (DYS) to promote careers in the skilled trades following incarceration of Ohio’s youth.
Commerce Director Sherry Maxfield and representatives from the Ohio Construction Industry Licencing Board and Ohio Board of Building Standards visited the Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility on Tuesday, May 7. During the event, they spoke with incarcerated youth who are approaching their release date about the professional opportunities available to them by pursuing a career in a skilled trade.
"These young Ohioans have a lifetime ahead of them following their release. Having a clear direction and goals in mind now will help to ensure their long-term success,” Maxfield said. “By having honest, open, career-focused conversations prior to their release, our hope is that we are planting a seed that could blossom into a successful and rewarding career in the years to come. Their success is Ohio’s success. That’s what makes these initiatives so important and rewarding.”
The theme of this year's In-Demand Jobs Week is "Ohio, The Heart of Opportunity," and whether it be in construction, plumbing, HVAC, electric, welding, or pipefitting, Ohio truly is the heart of opportunity when it comes to careers in the trades. These positions are in high-demand and offer competitive salaries, even at the starting apprenticeship level.
After as few as four years as an apprentice, individuals in a trade can expect to earn more than twice the median income in Ohio. In addition to being able to earn a competitive wage, young Ohioans are able to receive hands-on training while avoiding student debt. If advanced education is desired, in many cases, employers will offer to pay for an individual to earn college credit toward an associate or bachelor’s degree available at many state colleges and universities.
“By partnering with the Department of Commerce, our young people are learning more about career opportunities and can now step into positions that are in-demand with highly competitive wages. I see this collaboration as a win-win,” said DYS Bureau Chief of Community Engagement and Reentry Kysten Palmore. “When we invest in our youth by increasing their capabilities through exposure and training that leads to access and opportunities to make changes in their life trajectory, we return a more productive youth to our community which improves public safety.”
Considering the combination of workforce need, competitive wages and opportunities for upward career trajectory, Maxfield shared with the youth the skilled trades provide them with a unique experience to get a fresh start while working in a growing field that is helping to shape the future of Ohio.
“By taking advantage of these career opportunities in the skilled trades, these individuals can take the first step toward putting their past behind them, becoming a skilled professional, and working toward securing a bright future in the state of Ohio,” Maxfield said.
In-Demand Jobs Week is an annual statewide celebration of the jobs, industries, and skills that are in-demand in Ohio.
