West Central Ohio Manufacturing Consortium

The West Central Ohio Manufacturing Consortium (WCOMC) is a group of manufacturers dedicated to improving the manufacturing workforce in the West Central Ohio region. The group has worked closely with many local educational institutions to develop a Manufacturing Pathways Certification Program that prepares workers for the high-tech positions required in today's modern manufacturing workplace. The program prepares participants to be highly productive workers, utilizing their skills to produce quality products for the consortium members' customers.

The need for skilled manufacturing workers is greater than ever before. Manufacturing currently employs one out of every four workers in West Central Ohio. While it is true that the area has lost some major employers, a new type of manufacturing has continued to grow. The new manufacturing worker is required to fill many roles, assume important responsibilities, and make good decisions. These workers do not stand at a line and perform repetitive work. They run high tech equipment, monitor process performance, solve problems, and contribute ideas that help their company improve performance. The modern manufacturing worker is a team players whose opinions matter and whose contributions are valued.

Skilled workers with teamwork and critical thinking skills will be in high demand in the future, as the Baby Boom generation approaches retirement age. This generation, born between 1946 and 1964, makes up 40% of Ohio's population, meaning a significant portion of this generation will be eligible for retirement in the next 5-10 years. This will at least maintain, if not increase demand for high-skilled manufacturing workers in the years to come.