Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio to pilot an income support program to promote access to strong career pathways for underemployed individuals.
For the underemployed residents of Columbus, one of the most significant barriers to workforce development is that it is unaffordable to stop work to participate in training. Living paycheck to paycheck makes a mid-term training program impossible. Many people find themselves trapped in low-wage jobs without the time, resources, or savings to earn a credential that would set them in a higher-paying job with a clear career path.
Offering a temporary income replacement for underemployed individuals to participate in mid-term (10-20 week) training opportunities may be a way to break this cycle. The pilot program proposed by the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio will provide wages to a small group of training participants to focus fully on earning a credential and/or developing new skills.
The mission of the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio is to partner with area businesses and organizations on workforce needs so that people are fully employed at their ability and potential in the thriving Central Ohio economy. The Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio has the connections, staff, and resources necessary to walk with participants through this pilot program and set them up for success.
Training partners for this pilot program include Color Coded Labs and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Color Coded Labs hosts a 16-week tech and coding boot camp. Employers in their network are hiring at a rapid pace and are prioritizing diversity. Nationwide Children’s Hospital participants will earn credentials to qualify for Patient Care Assistant and Patient Access Assistant positions. Nationwide is committed to the upskilling and career growth of these employees.
The pilot program is expected to serve 15-20 i...
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