COLUMBUS, OHIO – Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Matt Damschroder announced today that ODJFS will award a total of up to $1.2 million in competitive grants to Ohio employers that create new apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship opportunities for Ohio workers. Preference will be given to industry sectors that are innovative, necessary, critical, or in-demand. This includes auto and advanced mobility, semiconductor and advanced manufacturing, construction and extraction, broadband and 5G, and education occupations.

“These grants will help employers train their workforces to meet the changing demands of Ohio’s economy,” said ODJFS Director Matt Damschroder. “They’ll also allow more Ohio workers to earn while they learn, avoid the typical student loan debt, and earn a nationally recognized credential in a critical or in-demand field.”

Ohio is a national leader in apprenticeships. The state ranks third in the U.S. and first in the Midwest in the number of apprentices, with more than 23,000 enrolled in an apprenticeship program.

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More than 200 occupations in Ohio offer apprenticeships. Apprenticeship opportunities are available in fields as diverse as construction, energy, health care, advanced manufacturing, computer programming, teaching, and more.

How to Apply for the Expansion Grants

1. Register starting on Friday, Dec. 13 – Interested employers, joint labor-management organizations, and industry associations must register for the grants at Apprentice.Ohio.gov. Confirmed Ohio employers will be sent an application.
2. Apply Jan. 6-30, 2025 – Those sent an application must apply during this time.

Applications must include the following:

• An explanation of how the funds will be used.
• The program goals and instructional methods.
• The expected outcomes, including the number of new apprentices and the credentials they will earn.

Pre-apprenticeship programs must demonstrate clear pathways for participants to transition into registered apprenticeship programs.

Decisions will be made by Feb. 15, 2025.

ApprenticeOhio

ODJFS oversees ApprenticeOhio, which registers programs that meet national criteria for quality and safety. Each ApprenticeOhio program is run by a sponsor: usually an employer, a group of employers, or a labor/management committee. Apprentices earn wages while learning skills for a job in the sponsor’s industry. They complete at least 2,000 hours of structured on-the-job training and 144 hours of classroom training, typically at a local college or training center.

ApprenticeOhio is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). DOL issues State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula grants to states to increase their ability to serve, improve, and expand registered apprenticeship programs.

More Information

To learn more about the grants or Ohio’s apprenticeship programs, visit Apprentice.Ohio.gov.