Upper Valley JVS part of the newly formed Western Ohio Training Consortium and the $2.03-millon grant received to deliver advanced manufacturing training to current and displaced workers.

UVJVS along with education partners Wright State University Lake Campus, Edison Community College, and Sinclair Community College join The Job Center Network, The Miami County Economic Development Department and employers in Auglaize, Darke, Greene, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, Shelby, Van Wert and Warren countiesin the project.

Community leaders; corporate executives, economic development directors, school, college, and university officials met on the Edison main campus in Piqua to celebrate the official launch of this ten-county workforce development program funded through the US Department of Labor’s Community-Based Job Training initiative.

John Boehner, Ohio 8th District US Representative and House minority Leader, pointed out that the need to educate and re-educate the American workforce is “probably at the highest peak we’ve ever experienced in our nation’s history.” A former education and workforce committee chair at the congressional level, Boehner noted that this country’s 15-million lost jobs since the early 1990’s have been more than offset by 20-million new jobs.

Jim Hill, Director of Miami County’s Economic Development Department which is one of the grant partners, termed the collaboration as “unprecedented” and noted it involves “education, business, plus government, and the development of both the local workforce and economy.” Dr. Steven L. Johnson, Sinclair’s President, noted, “The collective power of educational institutions working together is an extremely positive force for individuals, their families, and their communities.”

Through the joint venture, institutions will be able to maximize educational resources and offer an industry-driven curriculum that is cost efficient. The grant represents part of the more than $100-million the Department of Labor awarded to selected regions in 30 states.

Training through the new consortium will be delivered on-site, on-line and on-campus commencing this summer. Edison Community College will serve as the facilitator of the grant monies.