Action Plan Seeks To Bridge Ohio’s Workforce Skills Gap

 A broad coalition of business and education oriented groups have put together an action plan to bridge the skills gap facing Ohio's workforce.  The plan--released to the public today-- focuses on creating pathways to post-secondary educational attainment so that Ohio can remain economically competitive. 

The days of a high school diploma or GED being enough to gain entrance to the workforce --and the jobs that once led to middle-class prosperity -- are dwindling.  Instead, technology advancements have created new skill requirements for workers and that brings the need for more education, training, and certification.

Currently, Ohio's post-secondary educational attainment stands at about 49% of working age adults—that is below the national average and places Ohio 31st among all the states.
 

We discuss the action plan, Bridging Ohio’s Workforce Gap with Ohio Excels and workforce development experts.

Ideastream as the lead public media station for the statewide American Graduate Getting to Work initiative from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was one of the 40-plus organizations who developed the Bridging Ohio's Workforce plan.

In addition, Ideastream with partner stations WOSU and CET also developed a documentary called, The Career Path Less Taken to highlight career and technical education in Ohio high schools.  You will find the documentary on demand on our website and a link below in additional resources.

A national study underway will test a so-called "liquid biopsy" or blood test that seeks to identify dozens of cancers--even when a patient has not yet exhibited symptoms.

The Cleveland Clinic has joined the PATHFINDER study to evaluate the blood test and recruit local patients to take part.

The principle investigator for the Cleveland Clinic on the PATHFINDER discusses the study.

As our social circles have shrunk this year due to the pandemic, maintaining physically-distant friendships has become more important than ever to help combat isolation.

Two friends who have 10 years of experience nurturing their relationship in person and apart have now written a book right in time for the pandemic called "Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close."

The authors, Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman also emphasize the importance of friendships in a podcast they co-host, called "Call Your Girlfriend" which they describe as "a podcast for long-distance besties everywhere."

Ideastream's Jenny Hamel recently spoke to Sow and Friedman about the ups and downs of "Big Friendship."

Additional Resources:

• Bridging Ohio's Workforce Gap Action Plan

• Ohio Excels

• Ohio Office of Workforce Development

• The Career Path Less Taken

• Cleveland Clinic PATHFINDER study

Kevin Duff, Director, Policy and Research, Ohio Excels  
Jennifer Meek Eells, President, Ohio Workforce Association  
Eric Klein, M.D., Chairman, Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Principle Investigator, PATHFINDER Study 
Aminatou Sow, Author, "Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close"
Ann Friedman, Author, "Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close"
Jenny Hamel, Education Reporter, Ideastream