15-03-2025
Allen Lima Leadership learns about workforce, generational differences
Mar. 14—LIMA — Allen Lima Leadership learned about resources and programs offered by OhioMeansJobs Allen County and generational differences in the workplace Friday at the OhioMeansJobs center, 951 Commerce Parkway, Lima.
OhioMeansJobs resources
OMJ serves approximately 650 Allen County employers through job posting and recruitment, marketing and various hiring events.
"We have a lot of opportunity in our own backyard," said Trent Wise, recruitment coordinator.
Working with job seekers, OMJ has one-on-one career consultant services to assist with résumés, OMJ registration, an AcuMax assessment to see what field or job fits their personality and referrals to employers. Contact isn't lost when applicants find jobs.
"After you find a job, we continue to call and see if there's anything that we can help you out with," said Wise.
Retaining Allen County's youth remains to be an investment for OMJ.
"School job coaches go to the high schools for a half a day every single week and it's our opportunity to invest in our local youth," said Jessie Doyle, job center administrator.
All 14 Allen County high schools have an OMJ school job coach identifying students' next move.
Approximately 100 employers will be present at an event for upcoming high school graduates from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at the University of Northwest Ohio Event Center, 1450 N. Cable Road, Lima.
Generational differences in the workforce
The workforce comprises 36 percent Generation Y (1981 to 1996), 31 percent Generation X (1965 to 1980), 18 percent Generation Z (1997 to 2012) and 15 percent baby boomers (1946 to 1964), said Kendra Nickel, director of leadership development with HCF Management, Inc., out of Blufton.
Nickel and participants gave each generation a persona.
"Baby boomers created the workplace norms and structures that we have today," Nickel said. "You have an achiever mentality and you are shaped by a notion of commitment."
Nickel also mentioned Generation X being the first generation where both parents were working, Generation Y as the largest workforce and shaping the world of work, and Generation Z as a rising group that looks for satisfaction more than others.
Preferred methods of communication in the workplace were also a point of discussion.
"Old dogs may need to learn new tricks," Nickel said about the evolution in communication.
OhioMeansJobs programs
The Workforce Bridge Program, established in 2017, assists individuals in transitioning off public assistance by offering incentives.
Supporting those who secure jobs by providing financial assistance during the transition, participants can receive up to $4,000 if they maintain full-time employment for 18 months and stay off public assistance.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services offers a benefit bridge program aiming to support individuals and families who experience a significant reduction of benefits due to wage increases.
"Our goal is to help people become self-sufficient and maintain that," said Doyle. "It's one of the best kept secrets we have."
According to OMJ data, there are 1,706 open current jobs in Allen County.
Reach Cade Higgins at 567-242-0351
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