LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — State officials made several stops across Lima and Allen County on Monday as part of a manufacturing bus tour highlighting Ohio’s industry. Members of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, along with several state representatives and senators, visited Apollo Career Center to get a firsthand look at how industry and education leaders work together to meet local workforce needs.
Rick Carfagna, senior vice president of government affairs for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, said the tour gives policymakers a clearer picture of how communities are preparing workers.
Members of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, along with several state representatives and senators, visited Apollo Career Center.
“It's an opportunity to for, I think, policymakers, to take a look and see what is this community doing to educate our workforce. We're here at the Apollo Career Center, and you know, we've got students taking us around, showing us the different programs and and you know what they're doing to provide opportunities on a short term basis to employ Ohioans, you know, especially people right here in Allen County, and to train them up with in the skilled trades for some very lucrative positions.”
Ohio’s manufacturing sector employs 700,000 residents. The state has the fourth-largest manufacturing gross domestic product in the nation and ranks third in total manufacturing employees and payroll. Ohio is also a global player, ranking 10th in the U.S. for exports to 210 countries and territories.
