As seen in the Canton Repository:
Walsh University recently received renewed state funding to continue connecting participants of its Skilled Technical Workforce program with high-demand jobs across Stark County.
The $498,000 grant from Ohio's latest Individual Microcredential Assistance Program (IMAP) allows Walsh to offer the trainings at no cost. The university is the only training provider in Stark County that was given funding for this round of courses.
To date, Walsh's Skilled Technical Workforce program has issued over 3,000 technology-based credentials to professionals looking to advance their career, unemployed individuals and high school students exploring career options.
The renewed funding will be used to continue five existing trainings and add a sixth course focused on polymers, reflecting the strength of the region's polymer industry. Designed to guide participants through Ohio's evolving workforce, the courses are:
Polymer Chemistry: Principles and Practice
Microsoft Office 365 and Teams
Information Technology
Manufacturing Technology
FAA Drone Technology
HVAC Diagnostics
These program areas reflect the growing number of local employers looking to hire individuals who have technical training in these sectors, alongside workplace skills like communication, time management and adaptation — which are also layered into Walsh's courses.
As one of only 12 education providers in the last round of funding, Walsh awarded 166 credentials and achieved a completion rate of more than 70% — with 42% of unemployed participants securing employment following the program.
"I don't view it as a Walsh University resource, but a community resource," said Dan Passerini, executive director of cross-enterprise operations at Walsh. "It's not just a job training program. It's a job training, job placement and job retention program."
With this recent funding, Walsh has the capacity to expand enrollment to meet more individuals across Stark County — whether they didn't finish high school, are looking to gain skills toward a promotion or are interested in a career in manufacturing or a trade.
"We try to match a participant's interests with their acumen, and then help them identify their career aspirations and develop a pathway to achieve their goals," Passerini said.
For participants entering the workforce, Walsh's involvement doesn't end after the training. The program connects participants with organizations referred to as "navigators." Strengthening Stark and the Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board partner with Walsh to coordinate navigator outreach and connect participants with the resources and coaching needed to help them reach three months of consistent employment.
Navigators include Goodwill Industries, Greater Stark County Urban League, ICAN Housing Inc., Challenge Ministries, Jobs for Ohio Graduates, Stark County Community Action Agency and Stark Job and Family Services, which provide coaching, connections to local employers and assistance overcoming barriers such as transportation, childcare or purchasing work equipment.
This way, through hands-on experience in the classroom and practical application in the workforce, participants are set on a stable career path.
As Walsh works to strengthen the training-to-employment transition, Passerini hopes to extend its impact on participants' lives beyond the beginning months of employment.
"I'd also like to integrate a financial literacy component into the program," he said. "So, as people secure jobs and gain stability, we're able to help them understand how to budget to build a better future for them and their families."
Walsh remains committed to connecting workforce program participants with the training and career paths necessary to reach their goals.
"We hope people leave the program with a better idea of great career opportunities that they might not have even considered in the past and inspire others to say to themselves: I can do this. I can pursue that two-year or four-year degree that I never thought I could," Passerini said.
Stark Community Foundation helps individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits achieve their philanthropic goals. Ranked in the top 10% of community foundations in the country, the foundation and its family of donors have granted nearly $300 million to nonprofits since 1963. Learn more at www.starkcf.org.
