Ohio Department of Commerce Partners With Youth Services to Promote Careers in the Skilled Trades After Incarceration

COLUMBUS, Ohio- Following a successful In-Demand Jobs Week event at the Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility in May, leadership and representatives with the Ohio Department of Commerce again partnered with the Department of Youth Services (DYS) for an event Monday at the Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility to promote careers in the skilled trades once youth are released from incarceration.

During the visit, Commerce Director Sherry Maxfield and representatives from the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board and Ohio Board of Building Standards spoke with approximately 60 youth who are approaching the date of their release about the professional opportunities that could be available to them by pursuing a career in a skilled trade.

"Everybody deserves a second chance, particularly when you're a young person, and this is a great way to give them that chance," Maxfield said. "We hope that by having these career-focused conversations with these individuals now, we are inspiring them to focus on a successful and rewarding career."

Given Ohio's rapid growth, workers in the skilled trades are in high demand. Whether it be in construction, plumbing, HVAC, electric, welding, pipefitting, or any of the trades, these positions are highly sought after and offer competitive salaries, even at the starting apprenticeship level.

After as few as five years as an apprentice, individuals in a trade can expect to earn more than twice the median income in Ohio. In addition to being able to earn a competitive wage, young Ohioans are able to receive hands-on training while avoiding student debt. If advanced education is desired, in many cases, employers will offer to pay for an individual to earn college credit toward an associate or bachelor's degree available at many state colleges and universities.

"I am so excited about the 87 high school and GED graduates that we had this past school year along with the hundreds of skill certificates that were achieved," DYS Director Amy Ast said. "Graduation is not an indicator that our work is done, in fact, it indicates our work is just beginning. I am thrilled to have Director Maxfield from the Department of Commerce and our other partners visiting our graduates at Cuyahoga Hills to inform them of what is possible and to provide them knowledge and access to information that can be a game changer for their future."

Currently in Ohio and across the nation, the skilled trades are facing an aging workforce. The need for young people entering these career fields adds to the opportunities these youth have upon their release.

Considering the combination of workforce needs, competitive wages, and opportunities for upward career trajectory, Maxfield highlighted the opportunities that careers in the skilled trades provide in helping these individuals get a fresh start while working in a growing field that is helping to shape the future of Ohio.

"These youth need a second chance and an opportunity," Maxfield said. "Given the vacuum of talent in the trades and the demand for work in Ohio, they have the ability to immediately begin a career that will not only help them, but help the entire state of Ohio as well."

During the visit, the Department of Commerce's Board of Building Standards provided code books to the facility that incarcerated youth will be able to access to learn more about building codes and starting a career in building code administration.

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About the Division of Industrial Compliance

The Division of Industrial Compliance is part of the Ohio Department of Commerce. The department is Ohio's chief regulatory agency, focused on promoting prosperity and protecting what matters most to Ohioans. We ensure businesses follow the laws that help them create jobs and keep Ohioans safe. To learn more about what we do, visit our website at com.ohio.gov.

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