Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio to operate an income support program to promote access to strong career pathways for underemployed individuals.
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 program and set them up for success.
In 2022, the Workforce Development of Central Ohio (WDBCO) was awarded a $200,000 grant from Columbus City Council to operate a small pilot of an income support program. This program offered a temporary income replacement for underemployed individuals to participate in mid-term (10-20 week) training opportunities. These opportunities led to higher earning potential and career advancement pathways for all participants.
While final data is still pending as participants seek jobs and continue to report on their experiences, the WDBCO expects that the average immediate increase in wages for program participants will be 55%. Of the 25 participant in the 2022 pilot, 68% of participants identified as Black, and about a third of participants identified as White, Asian, Brown, or Somali-American. The majority of program participants did not have educational achievement beyond a High School Diploma or GED. Only one individual had achieved education beyond a bachelor’s degree.
With the grant authorized by this ordinance, the WDBCO will be able to expand the pilot program to a larger cohort and operate a more effective program given the lessons learned in 2022. The WDBCO plans to focus on training in the healthcare sector, where there is a high demand for qualified staff in Central Ohio. By working directly with potentia...
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