Issue Position: Training Our Workforce

Issue Position

Our education system is not serving the best interests of many of our students. Schools are confined by strict curriculum standards and state mandates that do not cultivate career skills in those not headed to a four-year university. With an aging population and an economy in transition, Ohio faces a unique opportunity when it comes to preparing our workforce for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Rob McColley is meeting this challenge head-on through a legislative effort to connect the Ohio Department of Education and Department of Higher Education with Ohio's major industries. This collaboration is aimed at creating a statewide strategic workforce plan to enhance project-based learning and expand professional development programs that address how to build authentic, real-world, project-based learning into the curriculum. Rob McColley also led the effort to invest $25 million in a state revolving loan fund to train unemployed and underemployed workers for in-demand jobs. Loans from the fund are being used to provide individuals training through public and private colleges, universities and career centers.

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