New JobsOhio Technician Path Helps Ohio Employers Build Skilled Workforce

Incentive program provides participating companies up to $10,000 per employee who completes a training pathway for in-demand technician careers

Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 31, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As Ohio continues to invest in workforce development, JobsOhio today announced the JobsOhio Technician Path incentive program to help Ohio employers build a pipeline of technicians. The incentive was officially introduced statewide at seven events where leaders from JobsOhio and its regional network partners joined educational institutions and members of Ohio’s business community who are actively hiring skilled technicians. The incentive is designed to help Ohio employers in targeted industries deploy a technician earn-and-learn program and create more opportunities for Ohioans to access the training and gain the skills needed for in-demand technician positions.

JobsOhio Technician Path is the first phase of the $300 million JobsOhio Experiential Learning Initiative, announced earlier this year by Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel and JobsOhio. For every technician trained in Ohio, five positions go unfilled. The incentive helps connect Ohioans with careers in the state’s growing industries, including advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and advanced aerospace & defense. Ohio employers can apply online at jobsohio.com/path.

“Ohio's talent pipeline is an essential focus of a statewide economic strategy,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “The JobsOhio Technician Path incentive program puts that strategy into action. As companies consider growth in Ohio, the availability of technical talent represents a large part of that evaluation, and the incentive helps ensure we can continue to win.”

Eligible Ohio employers can access up to $10,000 per employee who completes an approved training pathway, with payments tied to three milestones along the way. To qualify, companies must be located in Ohio, operate in a JobsOhio targeted industry sector, and pay participating workers at least $20 per hour.

Helping Employers Build Their Technician Pipeline
The incentive provides financial support for the use of structured training pathways that strengthen employee growth and retention while creating a more reliable path to filling open technician positions. Participating companies can receive assistance from a regional concierge service provider throughout the process, making it more feasible for employers of all sizes to implement an earn-and-learn program. A dedicated advisor can help employers:

• Identify approved training pathways and local education partners
• Design and set up an earn-and-learn program
• Connect with local training providers and workforce partners
• Apply for the incentive and navigate the milestone process
• Manage milestone disbursement requests
• Identify resources for launching a registered apprenticeship, including connections to ApprenticeOhio and a local workforce development board

 “The JobsOhio Technician Path incentive program expands access to well-paying technician positions with opportunities for career growth,” said JobsOhio Interim Managing Director of Talent Molly Moses. “Both Ohioans currently employed and those enrolled in an approved education program have the opportunity to benefit from the incentive.” 

Training Designed Around In-Demand Skills
Approved training programs span 46 Classification of Instructional Programs codes, which are codes used by the federal system to categorize academic programs by field of study. The range of eligible programs allows employers to build training pathways around the technical skills their businesses need while giving workers a clear route toward becoming technicians through associate degree programs, technical certificate training, and registered apprenticeships with standards filed under 30 targeted Standard Occupational Codes (SOC).

For every dollar of incentive funds that JobsOhio disburses at the second and third milestones, the employer must document a matching investment as part of a required 1:1 employer match. Employer investments may include:

• Wages paid to the worker during training;
• Supervisor wages for time spent mentoring;
• Tuition and fees;
• Books and supplies;
• Career coaching;
• Screening and assessments; and
• Program administration costs. 

A Straightforward Path to Get Started
JobsOhio has partnered with the Ohio Manufacturers' Association and Guild, a third-party talent development partner, to help employers take full advantage of the program. The Ohio Manufacturers' Association serves as the concierge lead, coordinating the regional concierge service providers and providing employers with program guidance and ongoing support throughout their participation. As the program’s central administrator, Guild provides the employer infrastructure for streamlined onboarding, program administration, reporting, and payments.

Applying for JobsOhio Technician Path begins with basic company information, including the employer’s NAICS code, which is used to confirm industry eligibility. Once an application is approved, employers are encouraged to identify participating workers, submit the required worker information, begin or continue the approved training pathway, and submit milestone requests as employees progress through the training. A regional concierge service provider is available throughout the implementation process to provide support.

For more information about JobsOhio Technician Path or to apply, visit jobsohio.com/path.

About JobsOhio
JobsOhio, Ohio’s private nonprofit economic development corporation, enhances company growth and personnel development through business attraction, retention, and expansion across 10 competitive industry sectors. With a team of seasoned professionals, JobsOhio utilizes a comprehensive network to foster talent production in targeted industries and attract talent through Find Your Ohio. Collaborating with seven regional partners, including Dayton Development Coalition, Lake to River Economic Development, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership, and Team NEO. JobsOhio delivers world-class customer service to provide companies with a competitive advantage. In 2026, Ohio was named CNBC's Top State for Business. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, X , Instagram, and Facebook.