TechCred Available in April for Ohio Manufacturers

Last week, Ohio’s Office of Workforce Transformation announced that the next application period for TechCred will be open from April 1 to April 30, 2021 at 3:00 PM.

Ohio introduced the TechCred program in 2019 to support employers and employees looking to improve technology-related skills. TechCred supports credentials including those in the manufacturing technology, construction technology, business technology, cybersecurity, robotics, and information technology fields. To see a list of eligible credentials or to request approval for an unlisted certification, visit https://techcred.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/techcred/about/credential-list/. Qualifications for eligible credentials include:

• Credentials include certificates, which are earned by successfully completing training(s) or course(s), or certifications, which are earned by passing a standardized test recognizing an individual’s competency in a particular specialty.
• Credentials must be industry-recognized.
• Credentials must be short-term, meaning that that the program must be able to be completed in less than one calendar year in programs that are fewer than 900 clock hours or 30 credit hours.
• Credentials must be technology-focused, depending on science, technology, engineering and/or math as well as technical skills such as developing, deploying, or investing in technology such as software development, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, computer hardware, military applications, data analytics, or other emerging fields.
• Online and distance-learning programs are encouraged.

Interested employers must employ W-2 employees, and individuals seeking credentials must have a verifiable Ohio address. Businesses can apply for funding by visiting https://techcred.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/techcred/apply. With this round of applications, the Office of Workforce Transformation is requiring all applicants to have a Supplier ID number, which can be obtained at https://supplier.ohio.gov. Businesses may only submit one application per funding period.

Applications will be reviewed competitively based on the following criteria:

• Wage compared to the credential cost
• Level of economic distress in the employer’s region
• Amount of employer contribution toward the cost of the credential

Businesses can receive up to $2,000 per credential to cover tuition, lab fees, manuals, textbooks, and certification costs, and up to $30,000 per employer per funding round. Funding will be provided as a reimbursement after the current or prospective employee successfully completes their program and obtains the approved credential.

For more information about TechCred, visit techcred.ohio.gov. For questions about this program or other support for manufacturers, contact a member of HBK Manufacturing Solutions, by calling 330-758-8613 or emailing manufacturing@hbkcpa.com.