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Presidents Report |
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I have reprinted this executive summary of an article from “POLICY MATTERS OHIO” that I found very interesting regarding the reallocation of training dollars for the incumbent workforce in Ohio. Keep that in mind as we move into 2012 and you identify your training needs. We will continue to monitor this change in policy change…
Workforce Training in the 2012 - 2013 Ohio Budget
Executive Summary
A strong workforce system is integral to our economic recovery. In 2009, 51 percent of Ohio jobs required some post-secondary education, yet only 48 percent of Ohio’s workforce possessed some post-secondary education. As recently as June 20, the Washington Post reported that 1.5 to 3 million jobs nationwide could be filled with better skill matching. This is a tremendous task set before the workforce system, particularly with a system that must now do more with fewer resources.
The workforce training system will operate on $962 million over the coming biennium, 4.8 percent less than in SFY 2010-2011. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (JFS) leads the agencies in workforce funding, accounting for more than 46 percent of the total budget. JFS is also taking the biggest hit of the workforce agencies with a 13 percent funding cut. The Department of Development (ODOD) comprises only 10 percent of the overall budget but the agency’s workforce budget will nearly double in SFY 2012-2012.
These resource shifts, the reduction in JFS funds and the big boost to ODOD dollars, emphasize the Kasich administration’s strategy for workforce development. Most of ODOD’s funding increase is due to casino fee funding for incumbent worker training. ODOD will also benefit from a 23 percent increase in the amount of JFS/WIA adult programming dollars going to the agency. Essentially, Governor Kasich is treating workforce-training funds as another tool to attract and retain employers via sizeable training subsidies.
While workforce advocates have long called for better alignment between local employers and the workforce system, this approach repositions the system’s focus away from the needs of unemployed workers and towards the training needs of those already employed. Forgetting unemployed workers in our rush to achieve better employer alignment, however, ignores Ohio’s economic realities. Ohio never fully recovered from the 2001 recession. In the last year, we lost one in six manufacturing jobs, more than 120,000 overall. Between 2000 and May 2011, the number of manufacturing jobs in Ohio dropped from one million to 622,000. In 2010, only Michigan had more Trade Adjustment Assistance certifications than Ohio. Long-term unemployment has far-reaching effects on our economy, including devaluation of unused workplace skills, wealth destruction,
and costs to safety net services. Unemployed workers cannot be left out of our workforce system equation; the cost to our recovery is simply too high. |
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NOACC Bright Star Award - 2011 Edition |
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On October 26, Chambers from all over Northern Ohio got together in downtown Cleveland at the Old Arcade and they honored their Bright Star – the volunteer from their chamber that was recognized for their commitment and dedication to the Chamber. The Bright Star Awards is hosted annually by NOACC (Northern Ohio Area Chambers of Commerce) and this years event recognized 47 Bright Stars. Lorain County Chamber’s Bright Star for this year was Danielle Bryan from Sibley, Inc
. Danielle has been someone who has always supported Chamber events by attending nearly all of our events and has helped us to sponsor events as well donate prizes or money for them too. Whenever we need something, Danielle (and her husband John and her brother Kevin) have always come through. Danielle considers herself more of a “behind the scenes” person and did not want the recognition of the Bright Star, but I promised her she wouldn’t have to make any public acceptance speeches, and then she was OK with it! You did great Danielle, and you represented the Lorain County Chamber well as our Bright Star. The evening also had a poignant moment when we posthumously honored Sue Sawyers from Great Lakes Publishing with the first ever North Star award
. The North Star award is a Hall of Fame honor and will only be given out when someone is deemed worthy to receive it, as Sue was. Sue passed away last summer and all the hard work she put in promoting our Chamber and other local chambers is not forgotten by any of us. Sue worked tirelessly and we thanked her family at the Bright Star dinner for letting us “share” Sue with them as she made our Chambers better for having her be a member. |
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Holiday Happenings |
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There are plenty of ways to get involved this holiday season and give back to the community. The Elyria Sunrise Rotary is again this year sponsoring the Santa House in Ely Square. The Festival of Lights will take place beginning at 4:30 on Saturday December 3rd with Santa arriving at his House at 5:30 p.m. Pictures with Santa are only $1 each when you bring a canned good to Santa. The Santa House will be open from 5:30 – 7:30 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until December 22nd. There will again this year be a Coloring Contest as well. Also, please support the Chronicle Telegram’s Not Forgotten Box again this year. The Lorain County Chamber will be happy to take your unwrapped donations at our offices, at
Safety Council or even at our upcoming Holiday Reception and we will make sure they get to the C-T’s offices as well. There are so many families in need this year, so please plan on supporting this great holiday tradition that has been going on for over 50 years. |
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Safety Council Corner |
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Flu Season is upon us, so please go over this Flu Checklist from the American Red Cross:
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory disease caused by different strains of viruses. In the United States, there is a flu season that begins every fall and ends every spring. The type of flu people get during this season is called seasonal flu. Flu viruses spread from person to person when people who are infected cough or sneeze. Adults may be able to infect others 1 day before getting symptoms and as long as 5 days after getting sick.
Know the Difference
Seasonal Flu—A contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza (flu) viruses occurring every year. It affects an average of 5 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. population by causing mild to severe illness, and in some instances can lead to death.
Epidemic—The rapid spread of a disease that affects some or many people in a community or region at the same time.
Pandemic—An outbreak of a disease that affects large numbers of people throughout the world and spreads rapidly.
H1N1 Influenza (swine flu)—H1N1 influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that cause regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get H1N1 influenza, but human infections can and do happen. H1N1 influenza viruses have been reported to spread from person-to¬person.
Avian Influenza—Commonly known as bird flu, this strain of influenza virus is naturally occurring in birds. Wild birds can carry the virus and may not get sick from it; however, domestic birds may become infected by the virus and often die from it.
Are you considered high risk for flu-related complications?
The following groups of people are at an increased risk: people age 50 or older, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions, children age 6 months and older and people who live with or care for anyone at high risk.
People at high risk should have their vaccinations updated every year and receive pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine if age 50 or older, as directed by their physician. |
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Building Business by Building Relationships |
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It’s hard to believe that another holiday season is upon us. Our big annual Holiday Reception is this Thursday at DeLuca’s Place in the Park and we are expecting a capacity crowd again this year. But before we start talking about upcoming events, let’s talk about the events that took place last month for those of you who might have missed something. The month started out with the yearly Economic Forecast sponsored by our friends at Lorain National Bank
. While things don’t exactly look fantastic going into the new year, there has been progress and we hope to see some positive gains by the end of 2012. WE all could use the prospect of making some more money to look forward to! We had some money making going on with the folks at Lorain Growth Corporation who hosted their annual Fish Fry at the Lorain Elks with approximately 160 people attending. Thanks to everyone who attended and had a great perch dinner.
Our November BAH was hosted by EMH Center for Health & Fitness and they showed off some nice upgrades and changes (like the day Spa) from when they hosted several years ago. Thanks to Brad and the staff at EMH for putting out a great spread for all of us and giving us a reason to have to work out and stay in shape for the holidays! Congratulations to the new officials that were elected on that same Tuesday and we look forward to working with everyone to help continue to make Lorain County a great place to live, work and play.
The County Chamber also hosted a very special Wine Dinner at Diso’s Bistro in Lorain which consisted of a 4-course gourmet meal paired with some great wines from Heidelberg Distributing. All those in attendance raved about the food and the wine and it was a very enjoyable evening. What a great restaurant in Lorain and we are glad to help get the word out about the meals available there!
While we were hosting our monthly Safety Council meeting and discussing the effects of Combustible Dust Hazards in the Workplace at the Ramada Elyria, our President Frank DeTillio was with Governor Kasich and Lorain Mayor Krasienko as they announced a major new investment in South Lorain at the Republic Steel works, which will see a $70 million dollar infusion and hundreds of new jobs. Great news for our area, to say the least. This deal involved months of talks and meetings and we are grateful to have been a player in this project.
The next few weeks will fly by and we will be staring at another new year. So it seems appropriate at Thanksgiving time to say Thank You for your support that you showed the Lorain County Chamber and our members this past year of 2011 and we look forward to helping to make our area stronger in 2012. We strive to be the model for what good things are happening in Northeast Ohio. |
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December 1 - Holiday Reception at Delucas Place in the Park
December 21 - Safety Council at Ramada Elyria
Register Now! |
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