Tapping into Data for Workforce Success: Ohio’s New Workforce Supply Tool

Erin Joyce.
John Glenn College of Public Affairs Ohio Education Research Center.

Representatives of the Ohio Analytics data partnership were happy to have the opportunity to present to the Ohio Economic Development Association’s membership at its fall conference in October. Ryan Burgess, Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, Keith Ewald, Project Manager for the Office of Workforce Development and Joshua Hawley, Director of the Ohio Education Research Center at The Ohio State University, presented a panel discussion, “Tapping into Data for Workforce Success” that talked about the state’s innovative data partnership, Ohio Analytics, and how the partnership is responding to business needs and workforce goals by creating research products and tools that support business and economic development.

The session also featured a demonstration of one of Ohio Analytics latest data tools, the Workforce Supply Tool. The Workforce Supply Tool provides both employers and job seekers with important and actionable information about the most in-demand occupations in Ohio, including:

• Statewide and regional workforce supply information
• Historical and future estimates on the number of graduates from programs offering credentials or degrees in in-demand areas
• Institutions that offer credentials or degrees in in-demand areas
• Regional earnings by occupation
• Regional employment numbers for each occupation

The tool was developed to be a one-stop website that provides diverse users with data to help make important decisions, including:

• Businesses considering relocating or expanding can identify the number of skilled workers available in a region.
• Recruiters and human resource leaders can identify and forge relationships with institutions that educate and train the workers they need.
• Job seekers and those considering pursuing a certification or degree can use the tool to identify earning potential in a chosen occupation and obtain contact information for education and training programs.
• Higher education providers can use the tool to identify similar programs and coordinate degree and certificate offerings.

Access the website through the “Employers” section of OhioMeansJobs by clicking on the “Supply Tool” icon at the bottom of the page. To learn more about the Workforce Supply Tool, and the other data tools, products and services available through Ohio Analytics, contact Erin Joyce at the Ohio Education Research Center (joyce.221@osu.edu).