Program connects former low-level offenders with jobs

COLUMBUS – OH!Manufacturing, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Rehabilation and Corrections and VMConsulting, announced a collaborative program to address several issues in Ohio.

According to a news release, the state is facing an acute shortage in the entry-level workforce in the manufacturing sector, concerns about what to do with “restored citizens” returning to society, and poverty.

The new program — Training, Assessment, and Placement Project, or TAPP — is meant to enable owners of small and medium manufacturers to begin immediately hiring restored citizens for entry-level manufacturing positions.

Former low-level offenders are people who have not been convicted of violent or sexual in nature offenses.

“The opportunity to employ restored citizens in the manufacturing environment is a win-win for manufacturers and Ohio,” said John Watson, the manager of business development at OH!Manufacturing.

TAPP will give the former offenders an opportunity for possible employment by helping with interviews at potential manufacturers. Manufacturers will benefit by gaining access to qualified workers that are highly motivated to succeed; they also will reap financial benefits in the form of tax incentives.

One of the goals of the program, according to the the news release, is to help former offenders become productive members of society and reduce reliance upon public assistance. The difficulty they face finding jobs can lead some to re-offend in the absence of another income.

TAPP was developed by Marion resident Vickie A. Miller, of VM Consulting. The program was developed out of the acute shortage of entry-level workers at Ohio Manufacturers.

Miller said her experience as an educator with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections showed her firsthand the difficulties ex-offenders face when rejoining society. Applicants are being screened, interviewed and receiving training before employment.

After employment, employees will receive on-site job coaching to ease the frustrations related to transitioning to the workplace. The project will match ex-offenders to open positions at participating manufacturing companies throughout central Ohio.

OH!Manufacturing is an affiliate of the Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership program and operated by PolymerOhio, a nonprofit organization comprised of manufacturing technology professionals.