Ohio has all sorts of “in-demand jobs” that go unfilled. Think occupations such as truck drivers, machinists and software developers.

State officials classify jobs with those labels that pay at least 80% of the state’s median hourly wage, which works out to a minimum of $17.22 per hour. Plus, these jobs must have higher-than-average growth and/or more than 600 job openings a year to qualify.  

In Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College wants to help bridge the gap between local residents and the training they need to get those jobs. Two-year public colleges, including Tri-C, are known for offering shorter, cheaper programs that can more quickly get students into the workforce. 

Tri-C’s hosting a free workforce training program showcase May 8. It’s one of several events the college is holding as part of the state’s In-Demand Jobs Week. 

There will be big “show, don’t tell” energy at the event. Attendees can check out demonstrations from a computer numerical control, or CNC, machine. Tours of the interactive patient simulation lab will be offered, as will virtual reality demos of welding tools. Participants will be able to craft something to take home in the college’s “fab lab,” too. That’s a 2,400-square foot center featuring tools such as 3D printers and laser cutters. 

“Hands-on activities really provide a deeper insight into what a career could look and feel like,” said Tri-C’s Executive Director of Workforce Development Angela Finding.

Tri-C aims to connect residents with job training 

This three-hour workforce showcase is free and open to the public. It centers on getting attendees interested in the following fields, according to a recent news release: 

• Advanced manufacturing and engineering
• Healthcare
• Industrial welding
• Information technology and Cisco® 
• Public safety 
• Skilled construction trades
• Transportation and logistics

Representatives from the college’s financial aid office, registration, and career services departments will also be at the showcase to discuss potential next steps. 

Tri-C events for high school students

Tri-C is also offering three invitation-only events. There will be a roundtable discussion for current female high school and/or Tri-C students interested in pursuing jobs in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fields on May 10. 

Public safety jobs such as law enforcement officers and firefighters will headline another event May 6. High school students can attend a workforce program of their own during the morning of May 8. 

Finding estimated 175 to 200 students will be invited to the week’s events. She said Tri-C connected with high schools with STEM and health programs to find students who may be interested. 

That, of course, also includes Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s MC2 STEM High School. It has a site on Tri-C’s campus. 

“In-Demand Jobs Week” events happening statewide 

It’s all part of the state’s seventh installment of “In-Demand Jobs Week.” It’s a joint effort between Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. The lieutenant governor is also the director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation. 

This year’s push is focusing on “the fact that here in Ohio, we make the things the world needs to live and thrive,” Husted said in a March news release. 

“From the food you eat, to the cars you drive, to the trucks that deliver it, to the airplanes that fly it, to the cloud that connects us all, to the chips that power our devices,” he said. “Whether you are looking to start a new career or advance in your current one, there is opportunity here for you.” 

State leaders suggested hosting events such as open houses, career fairs, networking events and roundtable discussions to mark the week. This interactive map shows dozens of those events happening across the state. 

Jobs have seemingly been on the mind of DeWine’s administration. At last month’s State of the State address, the governor said he wanted to put more emphasis on higher education institutions tracking graduates’ job outcomes.

Representatives from Husted’s office, though, didn’t respond to Signal Cleveland’s requests for more information about how the office defines the success of these events as well as any relevant data the office may track to show if the week’s efforts are actually helping Ohioians get jobs. 

Instead, they reiterated information posted in a press release. A spokeswoman said the office’s role is to promote and “help organize events taking place around the state.” 

How to attend Tri-C’s May 8 event

The workforce training program showcase is open to the public from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 8. 

It’s at Tri-C Manufacturing Technology Center, 2415 Woodland Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115

Register to attend by clicking here.