Inaugural In-Demand Jobs Week set for May 7-11

At the urging of Ohio business leaders and with the cooperation and leadership of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, a new awareness week to promote “In-Demand Jobs” will be observed every year in May. The Ohio Legislature authorized the statewide awareness week in the biennial budget last year.

Chancellor John Carey

May 7-11, 2018 will be the first observation of In-Demand Jobs Week, with the Ohio Department of Education and Ohio Department of Higher Education joining businesses statewide and a collection of other agencies, including the Department of Job and Family Services.

Chancellor John Carey is urging higher education leaders to get involved to showcase the role higher education plays in preparing the workforce and enabling prosperity for Ohio families.

“Universities and community colleges have an impact locally, regionally, and beyond, and it’s so important to focus on helping students find direction through internships, apprenticeships, and early experience,” Carey said.

Workforce leaders, aware that emerging technologies are creating enormous changes in the skills needed by tomorrow’s workers, often predict skills gaps among workers and the need for workers to be flexible, adaptable and ready to acquire new knowledge and skills in real time. In-Demand Jobs Week was created to inspire students to learn about careers in emerging fields.

For students and job-seekers, In-Demand Jobs Week is an opportunity to learn more through local events and activities about the reward and high-demand careers available regionally.

For secondary and postsecondary educators, In-Demand Jobs Week is an opportunity to inspire students by focusing on in-demand careers and pathways in the classroom and beyond.

For employers and workforce professionals, In-Demand Jobs Week is an opportunity to open doors to students and job-seekers to increase interest in local jobs and build a talent pipeline.

For communities, In-Demand Jobs Week is an opportunity to identify like-minded stakeholders to partner, plan events, and increase awareness about jobs available in the community.

Educators are uniquely positioned to help guide students as they pursue career pathways. As May approaches, college leaders, particularly those in touch with training students in the use of emerging technologies, are encouraged to work with local business and workforce leaders and encourage them to open their doors to students and staff.

“By building strong relationships and collaborating with local business and workforce leaders, you and your community will be better positioned to help students launch successful careers,” said Ryan Burgess, director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation.

A consortium of organizations has been working with Burgess’ office to prepare a host of activities for the awareness week in May. Look for details coming to campus career services offices in the weeks ahead. For more information, visit http://omj.ohio.gov/indemandjobsweek.