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$8.1 billion
Regional economic impact of Greater Dayton Area hospitals
The Challenge
Ohio is facing a workforce crisis. Dayton-area employers face persistent talent shortages as the regional economy shifts toward advanced manufacturing, health care, and technology. At the same time, too few students have access to career-connected learning that reflects employers’ current skill requirements. Healthcare is a major part of the Dayton region’s economy: the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association reports that its hospitals have an $8.1 billion regional economic impact. Ohio@Work will initially focus on advanced manufacturing and health sciences, which its partners identify as industries experiencing significant workforce demand across Ohio.
Individual school districts have carried much of the responsibility for responding to changing workforce needs, contributing to uneven alignment with employer expectations and unequal access to career-connected learning. Only 15% of students participate in work-based learning each year. Suburban students obtain internships at three times the rate of urban students and five times the rate of rural students.
Although one in four students earn a credential, only about 30% of those credentials are connected to documented hiring commitments. As a result, many credentials may not provide students with a direct path to employment before they leave the K–12 system. Even after these students enter the workforce, inefficient talent and training pipelines continue to have costly consequences. In Montgomery County, between $50 million and $100 million is spent toward employer remediation annually.
The Solution
The Ohio@Work initiative will create an employer-led bridge between schools and industry. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation and Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce will lead employer engagement, while the Montgomery County Educational Service Center (MCESC) and Defined will bring K–12 instructional and digital-learning expertise. Together, the partners will translate employer-defined competencies into curriculum, work-based learning, and credentials connected to regional talent needs.
The Dayton pilot will serve 77,000 students across 19 districts through digitally delivered and in-person project-based learning. Students from elementary through high school will engage in career-connected experiences informed by employer talent needs and aligned with classroom instruction.
Ohio@Work will develop up to six virtual internships in advanced manufacturing and health sciences. AI-supported feedback and mentorship from employer partners are intended to expand personalized guidance while reducing the time and cost required from employers.
Employer Partnership and Collaboration
Participating employers will help define competencies, shape curriculum, provide work-based learning, and validate credentials. The Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce and Ohio Chamber will recruit and engage employers through career exploration events, workforce committees, industry convenings, and professional networks.
A shared dashboard will give educators, students, and employers visibility into participation, contributions, and outcomes, helping partners monitor progress and improve implementation.
MCESC will lead instructional design, curriculum rigor, and educator training. Together, Defined and MCESC will translate employer competencies into high-quality, classroom-ready learning experiences and strengthen communication between business and education partners.
Scaling and Anticipated Impact
Ohio@Work aims to advance three long-term goals:
- Expanding career awareness and readiness starting in elementary school.
- Increasing access to credentials that carry value in the labor market.
- Aligning curriculum and work-based learning with employer-defined competencies.
Across the 19 pilot districts, the initiative plans to engage five to 12 employer partners and offer up to 72 targeted project-based learning experiences. Ohio@Work measures of success will include:
- 175,000 total hours of work-based learning
- At least 15% of students completing 250 or more hours of work-based learning
- 1,500 micro-credentials issued to students
Why the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation?
The Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) affiliate of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, fostering statewide economic growth through non-partisan, data-driven research. Its ability to convene employers complements the K–12 design and delivery expertise of MCESC and Defined. Together, the partners provide comprehensive career-connected learning at a projected cost of less than $5 per student.
The 19-district pilot includes urban, suburban, and rural communities, giving partners an opportunity to evaluate how the model works across different local contexts. By combining K–12 expertise with employer leadership, Ohio@Work is designed to reduce geographic barriers and expand access to career-connected learning.
Through employer-led curriculum and expanded work-based learning, Ohio@Work will test how education and business can help more students build the skills, experience, and confidence to shape their future.
Learn more about the Pathways with Purpose initiative.
