Husted Announces TechCred Awards, Program Changes to Support COVID-19 Economic Recovery

Next application period begins Monday, June 1st

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Lt. Governor Jon Husted, who serves as Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, announced today that 150 Ohio companies have been approved for TechCred funding, which will help them upskill their current and incoming workforce to meet the needs of the increasingly tech-focused economy, particularly amid the COVID-19 health crisis.

The TechCred program was launched in September of last year with the goal of expanding tech talent and helping businesses upskill their current employees in areas such as software development, robotics, and cyber security. As companies work to adapt to new technological demands during the global coronavirus pandemic, the potential positive impact of the initiative has an even greater reach. The Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation has implemented a series of updates to support changing business needs as Ohio’s economy reopens.

“As businesses restart operations and people go back to work, the need for a tech-savvy workforce is growing,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted. “From tele-health, to distance work and learning, the need for tech skills increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and we must aggressively prepare Ohioans to compete.”

The last round of TechCred applications closed at the end of March 2020. Today, 150 Ohio employers were approved, which will result in up to 1,045 credentials to upskill Ohio workers. With the approvals announced today, a total of 500 Ohio employers have been approved for reimbursement, which will result in the earning of up to 4,232 technology-focused credentials by Ohio employees.

“Now, more than ever, a workforce with advanced skills is critical to the success of Ohio businesses and the Ohio economy,” said Director of the Ohio Development Services Agency Lydia Mihalik. “Credentials earned through TechCred will help both employees and businesses prepare for a brighter future.”

Many of the TechCred pre-approved credentials can be completed 100 percent virtually. Examples of these credentials and training providers can be found at TechCred.Ohio.gov.

“One thing that has not changed during this pandemic is Ohio’s focus on providing skilled workers for in-demand jobs,” said Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner. “Having a TechCred program that responds to the needs of employees and employers during this time will help Ohio and its technology workforce get through the COVID-19 crisis and emerge stronger than ever.”

In order to support the changing needs of Ohio businesses and workers during the economic recovery, following the COVID-19 crisis, the following changes have been made to the TechCred program:

  • To make TechCred more flexible for upskilling new hires, employers are no longer required to list employee names when applying for TechCred. Instead, they will identify the number of current or prospective employees they will upskill.
  • To account for possible staffing changes, employers who were awarded in the October 2019, January 2020, and March 2020 rounds of TechCred may now substitute employees listed in their original application.
  • Employers awarded in October 2019 and January 2020, who had credential programs interrupted by the crisis, may request to extend their 18-month award eligibility timeline.
  • Employees can now earn multiple credentials during each application period.

The next application period of the TechCred program will open June 1st and run through June 30th, allowing for another opportunity for companies to train current and/or incoming employees.

More information on TechCred can be found at TechCred.Ohio.Gov.