New Mahoning Valley workforce initiatives launched. What are the goals of the projects?
Intitiatives to provide professional and vocational training and employment support services are underway through new collaboration.
Lake to River Economic Development is partnering with Flying High — a professional development organization — to start a new workforce development initiative to provide trainings for success in the Mahoning Valley.
Initiatives will focus on key industries, such as manufacturing and healthcare, to ensure that residents are equipped with the skills required by today’s employers.
Flying High will recruit job candidates, help them to become prepared and qualified and present them to employers. They will also offer a range of programs, including vocational training and job placement services tailored to the specific needs of the region.
“We are well-positioned within the four-county region to offer employers the types of qualified, vetted and trained job candidates they’re looking for, and we appreciate Lake to River for recognizing the unique role we’re able to play in our region’s economic development,” Jeff Magada, Flying High executive director said.
Lake to River staff will work to engage regional companies in targeted industries like manufacturing, logistics and distribution, food and agribusiness, and healthcare. It will be accomplished through direct outreach, one-on-one engagement and more.
“An available workforce is critical to economic development work, and we’re fortunate to have strong partners in our region like Flying HIGH and others who we can connect with existing employers and new companies looking to expand here,” Alexa Sweeney Blackann, interim executive director of Lake to River said.
Additionally, Flying High’s Professional Development Center operates Job Placement Welcome Centers in Youngstown and Warren where local residents can access job opportunities, accelerated vocational training and other customized employment training and services.
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