People need clearly defined and easy-to-access pathways to enter the workforce and their ideal occupation/employment position. Starting with earning a high school diploma/GED, individuals can then approach a future career through one of several additional pathways. Raise the Bar® strives to establish pathways to simultaneously benefit employers and work associates. Improving skills and knowledge through formal, informal, higher education, and/or other training settings will improve employee productivity and quality while decreasing the perceived skills gaps.

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Hancock County students need to graduate with their high school diploma or earn their GED. To ensure students qualify for graduation within one of the Ohio Department of Education-approved pathways, Raise the Bar® collaborates with area high schools to coordinate work-based learning experiences and track graduation pathways.

Entry-level positions are available in a variety of Hancock County industries. Individuals with a high school diploma/GED can find open positions using resources such as Ohio Means Jobs Hancock County.

• Learn about RTB’s WorkAdvance program.

Apprenticeships include, at minimum, (1) on-the-job training and mentorship; (2) paid, work-based components; (3) educational and instructional elements; (4) industry-recognized credentials; and (5) safety, supervision, and Equal Employment Opportunity. Hancock County’s employers offer numerous apprenticeships and are continuously seeking candidates for future openings.

While not every position requires a college degree, many employment opportunities necessitate a higher education degree. Two-year (Owens Community College) and four-year (University of Findlay) education institutions in Hancock County provide a robust slate of majors and minors.

Sometimes changing positions requires less than a college degree but some training and education. Credential certifications and certificates are a primary method for current workers to upskill their knowledge and capabilities in a short amount of time. Employers should offer their work associates the opportunity to attain credentials and certifications by leveraging state and federal resources.

• TechCred

• Incumbent Worker Training

• Individual Microcredential Assistance Program

• WorkAdvance Findlay

Veterans are valuable assets to employers due to their military training and experience. We strive to ensure Veterans can access careers and places of employment that value their skillsets, and we also want to support them with obtaining any additional training and skills necessary to translate their skills to the workplace.

• WorkAdvance Findlay