09/03/2021

Ohio Launches Industry Sector Partnership Grant Opportunity

It supports collaboration between businesses, education and training providers

On Sept. 2, 2021, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, director of the Governor's Office of Workforce Transformation, announced the second round of the Industry Sector Partnership (ISP) Grant opportunity. This program supports partnerships that help bring Ohioans into the workforce pipeline while meeting the needs of job creators and the local economy.

A new application period is open with more than $2.45 million available for new and existing industry sector partnerships, as funded through the recently passed state operating budget. ISPs can be located in any region of Ohio, as long as the focus is on an in-demand sector, such as manufacturing or technology.

"Industry Sector Partnerships work because we connect educators and businesses in a common mission of helping students and adults earn the skills they need to secure a meaningful career," said Husted. "We can't leave this important connection to chance. The role state government can play is to help fund and build these local partnerships so educators know what to teach, businesses have access to home-grown talent and Ohioans earn higher wages and have more job security."

The partnerships are designed to develop workforce strategies specific to a given region of the state, with the goal of driving collaboration between local businesses, education and training providers, and community stakeholders.

"A skilled workforce continues to be a cornerstone of our economic strategy, and Industry Sector Partnerships develop targeted solutions to address regional workforce needs," said Lydia Mihalik, the director of the Ohio Department of Development. "We are committed to providing the resources all Ohioans need as they build a career."

The application period for the second round of the ISP grants runs through Sept. 30, 2021 at 3:00 p.m.

To apply and learn more about the program, please visit Workforce.Ohio.gov/ISP.