SKILLS UPGRADE Ohio’s TechCred program offers funding that helps businesses train employees and provides opportunity in an ever-changing technological world. BY KRISTEN HAMPSHIRE
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PT Manufacturing’s founder and CEO Tony Nighswander is giving students the type of opportunity he had as a high school student, which led him to a rewarding career as the owner of a quickly growing high-tech manufacturer. He attended vocational school for welding, completed an apprenticeship in tool and die, and started APT Manufacturing in Hicksville in 1996. Today, Ohio’s TechCred grant program supports the company’s robust high school and postsecondary apprenticeship programs. “They can see the career path,” Nighswander says. “We live in a small farming community with great workers, and I didn’t want to lose those students. … We can keep them here and give them an opportunity and that has really paid off.” APT Manufacturing grew by 50 workers during a threeyear period and now employs 100 skilled employees who specialize in areas such as toolmaking, automation assembly, mechanical and electrical engineering, electrical and robotic programming, and quality control. Upskilling workers to fulfill advancing technological needs requires investment in time, training and people. For many employers, those three assets become obstacles to providing their workers continuing education. The TechCred program, which is entering its 14th round of funding, fills a gap by funding 4,000 tech-focused credentials. “It’s a win-win, because the business trains employees in new skills and the employees earn a credential they can take with them and always use it in the future,” says Rachel Jo-
hanson, deputy director at the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation. Employers that had put off training due to budgetary constraints are unlocking opportunity through the program. “Having to pay for it was impacting some employers’ ability to grow their businesses because of the financial burden,” Johanson says. Businesses of all sizes across the state can benefit from the program. The state reimburses up to $2,000 per credential and up to $30,000 per business per round of funding. Rounds are distributed on a bimonthly basis. There are three requirements: credentials are tech focused, short term and industry recognized. Within those parameters, training needs are quite diverse. “It can be anything from a manufacturer providing training for a new machining technique to a technology company needing data analytics — or any company, even outside of the technology sector, that has a tech position that needs a tech credential,” Johanson says. Many of the trainings can be completed online, and all take one year or less to complete — a fast track to preparing current and future employees for in-demand jobs. Since the program launched in 2019 out of the Office of Workforce Transformation, more than 1,822 employers have received funding, and employees have earned 40,824 credentials. The program encourages employers to partner with universities, community colleges, technical centers and private providers. In March 2022 alone, 342 Ohio employers were approved for funding with employees earning up to 4,121 credentials. APT Manufacturing has received numerous rounds of TechCred grants to fund its ongoing training program, which is providing opportunities for recent graduates and employees. “Due to our extensive training program, we have been blessed with not needing a ‘help wanted’ sign out front,” Nighswander says.
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