Columbus, Ohio (January 17, 2024) – The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has awarded nearly $2 million in workforce development grants across the state, with a significant focus on Fayette County. The agency approved $1.3 million to establish an electric vehicle (EV) worker recruitment center in Fayette County, supporting Honda and LG Energy Solution’s hiring efforts for their new lithium-ion battery plant in Jeffersonville.
“Investing in our workforce is crucial as Ohio attracts growing businesses like this,” said ODJFS Director Matt Damschroder. “This grant will equip Fayette County with the resources needed to attract qualified personnel for this vital project, boosting local job opportunities and Ohio’s EV industry.”
The center, to be located at the Destination Outlets shopping mall, will serve as a hub for recruitment and training, aiming to fill the projected 2,200-person workforce demand at the battery plant. This initiative underscores the state’s commitment to fostering talent pipelines for emerging industries like electric vehicle manufacturing.
The ODJFS grant program also awarded funding to other projects across Ohio, addressing diverse workforce needs:
- Adams, Brown, Pike, and Scioto Counties: $250,000 for a broadband apprenticeship program, focusing on individuals with substance use histories.
- Athens, Meigs, and Perry Counties: $24,000 for virtual reality equipment, allowing high school students to explore healthcare and skilled trades careers.
- Monroe, Morgan, Noble, and Washington Counties: $200,000 for incumbent worker training programs across 12 companies.
- Statewide (collaboration with Department of Rehabilitation and Correction): $200,000 for employment services in 10 OhioMeansJobs Centers within correctional facilities.
- Statewide (collaboration with Department of Youth Services): $30,000 for virtual reality equipment facilitating career exploration for incarcerated youth.
This diverse range of projects highlights the ODJFS’s commitment to upskilling Ohio’s workforce, supporting individuals from various backgrounds and industries, and ensuring the state’s competitiveness in the evolving job market.
For further information on specific projects, please contact your local workforce development board director.
