CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO — As part of “In-Demand Jobs Week,” state leaders gathered at the Circleville Department of Youth Services (DYS) facility today to deliver a powerful message to incarcerated young men: a second chance is waiting in the skilled trades.
For the third year in a row, the Ohio Department of Youth Services and the Ohio Department of Commerce teamed up to connect dozens of youth approaching their release with career pathways in carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and more.
A Pathway to Independence
The event featured Commerce Director Sherry Maxfield and DYS Director Amy Ast, who emphasized that the rising demand for skilled labor in Ohio provides a unique “win-win” for justice-involved youth and the state’s economy.
“This is about making the knowledge of these opportunities accessible to the young people in our care to ensure they have the tools to build successful, independent lives,” said DYS Director Amy Ast.
DYS has significantly ramped up its vocational training in recent years, with youth across Ohio facilities earning thousands of industry credentials in construction, transportation, and hospitality.
Transformative Careers and Financial Literacy
Commerce Director Sherry Maxfield highlighted that a criminal background is not an automatic barrier to many trade professions, which currently face a massive labor shortage. According to state data, Ohio needs to fill an estimated 21,656 skilled trade openings annually through 2030.
The visit wasn’t just about finding a job; it was about managing a future. Experts provided the youth with a comprehensive toolkit for success:
- Financial Readiness: Kenyetta Bagby (Division of Financial Institutions) provided training on managing new income and the importance of savings.
- Real-World Insight: Michelle Grago (Division of Industrial Compliance) shared her personal journey from field work to a supervisory role, illustrating the potential for rapid advancement.
- Apprenticeship Access: Representatives from Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union 189 detailed specific union training programs and the benefits of the trade.
The Bottom Line
With an aging workforce and an expanding state economy, leaders stressed that the trades offer stability and competitive pay that can prevent recidivism.
“By connecting with these individuals at this point in their lives, we are showing them that second chances are real,” said Director Maxfield. “The paths they open can be transformative.”
