COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — One of the biggest problems facing the state is a workforce shortage, according to Lt. Gov. Jon Husted (R-Ohio).
“The bottom line is we have more jobs that we have people to fill them right now,” Husted said. “But there are barriers meeting them where they are to where they want to go.”
Husted said that right now, there are two jobs available for every unemployed person in the state, but said a new tool will steer Ohioans who are not sure where to look or how to start in the right direction.
“There always seems to be a little barrier here or there in their lives,” Husted said.
The state’s new career navigator will, for example, help people who are in a career and don’t know how to find a new one, help someone who wants to get off public assistance and find a job, or assist someone who wants a new skill but is not sure they can afford to get that credential.
“This does all of those things,” Husted said. “It’s hard to find all that in one spot. This is our attempt at making sure we can help people navigate the to the end journey they want to take.”
On the site, you fill out a survey and receive tailored recommendations based on what you are looking for. Husted said he hopes the new tool acts like a GPS for Ohioans navigating educational and career opportunities.
“We used to have this separation where we had education over here and work over here and hopefully people found each other, now we are creating clear pathways,” Husted said. “There’s a tighter bond between education and business than I’ve ever seen before.”
And Husted said even though the site launched today, it’s not set in stone yet.
“We in no way think that we’ve got this 100% right,” he said. “So, we are going to rely on a lot of user feedback on this.”