Ohio launches $300 million 'Earn-and-Learn' initiative to tackle talent gap

Facing a projected shortage of more than 540,000 skilled workers, Ohio is launching a $300 million, decade-long effort to overhaul how employers train technical talent.

The investment, unveiled Tuesday in Cleveland by Governor Mike DeWine, Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel, and JobsOhio, marks a significant bet on workplace-based education. Rather than relying on traditional classroom pipelines to supply an economy increasingly shaped by advanced manufacturing, automation, and large-scale infrastructure projects, the state will provide financial incentives to companies that integrate paid, on-the-job training with technical degrees.

State officials estimate that Ohio employers will require 540,000 STEM and technically skilled workers over the next 10 years to sustain current growth trends. Technician roles account for roughly 43% of that demand. While Ohio has rolled out multiple workforce development programs in recent years, employers continue to cite technician shortages as a primary constraint on expansion.

The strategy

The first phase of the JobsOhio Experiential Learning Initiative centers on a technician "earn-and-learn" model, offering financial incentives and implementation support to companies that adopt hybrid work-and-education models.

To help businesses navigate the structural and administrative hurdles of these programs, the initiative provides hands-on assistance with structuring registered apprenticeships, setting up co-ops, and forming education partnerships.

The program supports two tracks:

• Upskilling current staff: Enrolling existing workers in qualifying associate’s degree programs, technical certificates, or registered apprenticeships to elevate their skill sets.
• Early-stage recruitment: Hiring students already enrolled in technical training programs, providing them with on-the-job experience and wages while they complete their credentials.

"This program is a win-win for everyone involved – it gets young people into the workforce faster, gives existing employees the opportunity to learn new skills, and gives employers the talented, technical workforce they need to get the job done," Governor DeWine said.

By the numbers

• $300 Million: Total investment committed by JobsOhio over the next decade.
• 25,000: The estimated number of Ohioans expected to benefit from the initial phase. That represents a fraction of the state’s projected need, underscoring the scale of the challenge.
• 9: Critical industries targeted, matching the state's core economic sectors: advanced manufacturing, advanced aerospace & defense, automotive, energy & chemicals, financial services, food & agribusiness, healthcare, logistics & distribution, and technology.

Why it matters for Ohio tech

As Intel’s semiconductor buildout, advanced manufacturing investments, and data center growth accelerate across the state, the speed at which companies can scale operations is tethered directly to the availability of specialized operational talent.

"Today’s economy is being driven by people with the skills to build, maintain, and operate the systems that drive innovation forward," said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef.

By utilizing paid internships and apprenticeships, state officials aim to increase completion rates for industry-recognized, "stackable" credentials. To ensure these training pathways align with corporate requirements, the program was designed alongside the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

What’s next

The technician earn-and-learn program will launch later this year. JobsOhio officials stated that subsequent phases of the $300 million initiative will expand to cover other high-demand talent pipelines, including engineering, software and IT roles, and artificial intelligence.