Stark Senator Sherrod Brown Visits Stark County’s Middle School Manufacturing Camp
July 1, 2024
The Stark County Workforce Development Partnership’s (SCMWDP) middle school manufacturing camp was visited by special guest Senator Sherrod Brown this past week. This is the third year the organization has sponsored the camp which expanded this year to provide 100 students across Stark County the opportunity to attend the camp for free. Students were afforded the opportunity to plan and build marble roller coasters and deconstruct mechanical toys so they could re-assemble parts into new inventions. Local manufacturers offered field trips with hands on activities. Over 40 working professionals attended camp sessions to be interviewed by the 6th-8th graders.
Senator Brown’s office has convened organizations that support middle school manufacturing camps across Ohio for the last 10 years. He has provided certificates of completion to thousands of middle school students over the last decade in efforts to support manufacturing as a viable career pathway which honors the rich history of manufacturing in Ohio.
TomTod Ideas, a local non-profit specializing in releasing the potential of middle school students, was the camp curator providing curriculum and high energy counselors. Camp sessions were held at the Legacy Project in Massillon and at Stark State’s main campus. SARTA provided in kind service for the field trips and 10 manufacturers provided sponsorships. Sponsoring companies included Ohio Gratings Inc., The Timken Company, M.K. Morse, Hendrickson, RW Screw, Powell, Stark Industrial, Metallus, Myers Controlled Power and MAGNET.
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The Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership (SCMWDP) is an industry-led, regional collaboration of manufacturers and other stakeholders who have come together to address the talent shortage in Stark County. Also known as an industry sector partnership, SCMWDP was organized to ensure that manufacturers have a voice and an active role in identifying the needs and solving the challenges related to attracting, hiring, training, and retaining a qualified workforce. We will work with other workforce development providers, programs, and initiatives in Stark County, aligning and supporting efforts rather than recreating or duplicating what already works.
Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership Awarded Industry Sector Partnership Grant
December 11, 2023
The Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership (SCMWDP) is thrilled to announce that it has been selected as one of the recipients of the Industry Sector Partnership (ISP) Grant, a program initiated by Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted and administered through the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation. The Lt. Governor revealed that 26 workforce partnerships across Ohio will collectively receive $5 million in awards to support collaborations that strengthen the workforce pipeline and align the skills of Ohioans with the needs of employers and the local economy.
The SCMWDP is set to receive a portion of this funding to enhance its efforts in building a skilled and dynamic workforce, particularly in the manufacturing sector. This grant will enable the partnership to further its mission of fostering collaboration between businesses, education providers, and communities to address the evolving demands of the industry and contribute to the economic growth of the region.
Lt. Governor Husted emphasized the significance of the awarded partnerships, stating, “Today’s awards set a record for the most partnerships created or expanded through the grant in a single round, creating more opportunities for communities and industries to grow that workforce pipeline.” He underscored the importance of encouraging collaboration to train students with the skills that businesses in their regions need.
The Industry Sector Partnership program is designed to develop regional workforce strategies by driving collaboration between local businesses, education and training providers, and community stakeholders. Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Ohio Department of Development, expressed the impact of these grants, stating, “With these grants, we’re able to foster robust workforce pipelines that better meet the evolving demands of our industry partners. Not only are we strengthening the bridge between education and employment, but we’re empowering communities to cultivate strategies that will ensure a skilled workforce for generations to come.”
“The Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership is excited to contribute to these efforts and extend its reach to benefit the local community,” stated James Batchelder, President of the SCMWDP. “This grant will empower us to cultivate collaboration among businesses, education providers, and communities, ultimately benefiting the local community. We are eager to utilize this opportunity to strengthen our workforce initiatives, and we look forward to the continued success of our collaborative efforts in making a lasting impact on the region’s workforce.”
The Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, through contracted services with the SCMWDP, applied for the ISP Grant and will continue management of SCMWDP grants and programs.
“The Chamber is proud to continue our work with the dedicated manufacturers in Stark County to advance workforce solutions for the manufacturing industry,” said Denny Saunier, President & CEO of the Canton Regional Chamber.
To learn more about the Industry Sector Partnership Grant and its impact on
workforce development, please visit Workforce.Ohio.gov/ISP.
To learn more about the Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership, visit www.StarkManufacturing.org.
