MOUNT VERNON — Manufacturing has long played a leading role in Knox County and Ohio. It is fitting that Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recognized that contribution by proclaiming Oct. 4 as Manufacturing Day.
Knox County’s industrial economy evolved from the early days of the C&G Cooper Co. and furniture factories to Ariel Corp.’s compression engines and UMD’s material handling systems.
Early local manufacturing featured linseed oil, broom, candy, cigar, and ice-making factories. Today, industries produce wire products, packaging solutions, and mirrors.
Manufacturing is significant in Knox County’s economy, producing roughly $2.5 million worth of products. It ranks third in annual employment.
Ohio also ranks third in the nation for manufacturing jobs, producing more than $134 billion in manufactured goods annually.
“In Ohio, we build, we create, and we produce items that make people’s lives better, all across the country,” DeWine said in a press release announcing Manufacturing Day. “ … Our thriving manufacturing sector is a big part of the growth we are continuing to see in our state’s economy.
“Manufacturing is fueling success in our businesses and growth in our communities.”
Solving challenges through apprenticeships
As with any industry, manufacturing faces challenges in retaining and recruiting workers.
Upskilling and extensive training help with the former. Manufacturing camps and apprenticeships help with the latter.
Beth Marhefka is the work-based learning and development coordinator at the Knox County Career Center. She said apprenticeships are designed to mentor individuals and grow their technical and professional skills.
“By pairing apprentices with a mentor and a structured training program, individuals can more confidently enter a career path knowing they have the support of their employer, mentor, and apprenticeship organization behind them,” Marhefka said.
“Apprenticeships are structured so apprentices earn money while they learn. Apprentices can see the path and opportunities ahead of them and grow into their profession with a combination of on the job and technical training that often includes college credit.”
Marhefka said this defined pathway for growth helps apprentices persevere through challenges while navigating a new career path.
“The feedback I have received from employers is that they know with an apprentice or journey person they are going to have a more skilled and reliable employee that has supports and training in place to navigate the first several years of the profession and a highly skilled professional in the long run,” Marhefka said.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) manages the state’s ApprenticeOhio program. According to the release, 21 of the 39 new ApprenticeOhio programs added last year were for manufacturing-related occupations.
“Manufacturing jobs are plentiful in Ohio, and they don’t look like the manufacturing jobs of old,” ODJFS Director Matt Damschroder said in the release.
“There are jobs for every level of education, from high school through four-year, or even advanced degrees. All of them pay well and have promising futures.”
About Manufacturing Day
Ohio celebrates Manufacturing Day on the first Friday in October. It represents an opportunity for production industry members to build excitement about manufacturing careers to help their communities and future generations thrive.
“Ohio’s manufacturing sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, employing thousands of hard-working Ohioans and building on the many successes that have made the industry a backbone of our state’s economy,” said Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik.
“The manufacturing industry doesn’t just create products. It builds communities and sustains livelihoods, a fact that’s important for Ohio’s next-generation workforce to see as a viable option.”
