News

By Ken Wilson, Franklin County Administrator, from PM Magazine

Franklin County in Central Ohio is growing faster today than at any time in recent memory, with near monthly announcements of new high-tech investments in the region and population growth projections that have to be updated every year because the rate of growth keeps increasing. With all of this growth will come challenges, however, and local government leaders are working hard to plan for the transportation, education, healthcare, and housing systems that their communities will need in the near future. All of those new residents will also need jobs, and all of those digital economy investors will need skilled labor to help build and work in their new facilities.

The gulf between job seekers and well-paid careers can sometimes seem very wide. There’s a shortage of qualified construction workers in Central Ohio, but it’s a job that not just anyone can step into. Fortunately, the skilled building trades employ an apprenticeship model that allows workers to earn competitive wages and benefits while learning their craft. Unfortunately, there are many hard-working potential workers who are not quite qualified or ready to jump right into apprenticeship. That’s where Franklin County’s Building Futures program comes in.

Building Futures is a 12-week pre-apprenticeship program that helps low-income residents advance to the point of being qualified for an apprenticeship in the skilled building trades. The program and its sponsors recognize that candidates could be facing many barriers, so while the students receive classroom and practical instruction, they also get a stipend and wrap-around services to help with other challenges that could be standing in the way of their success.

The Building Futures program was created by the Franklin County commissioners in 2017, and represents a partnership among the county, the NAACP, a local nonprofit called Creating Central Ohio Futures, and the Columbus Building and Construction Trades Council. Since the first cohort in 2018, more than 250 local residents have graduated from Building Futures and moved on into great middle class careers in the skilled building trades. There’s a 100-person waiting list, a graduation rate of about 90%, and the average starting wage for graduates is between $40,000 and $50,000.

OCMA is pleased to welcome eighteen new members who joined the Association in September and October. Thru the end of year, new members are able to join OCMA for free by using discount code NEWMEMBER2023. Please consider personally inviting people in your organization to join OCMA. Your personal invitation is a meaningful way to encourage new people to join OCMA and further our mission to promote excellence in local government management in Ohio.

• Jeffrey Adams, Assistant to the City Manager, Huber Heights
• Frank Birkenhauer, Administrator, Green Township
• Lee Ann Bradfield, Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, Montgomery County
• John Brazina, Director, Cincinnati
• Kelleigh Decker, Administrative Deputy, Lucas County Engineer
• Jackie Fails, Student, Wright State MPA Program
• Calvin Frazier, Operations Coordinator, Kettering
• Kyren Gantt, Economic Development Coordinator, Huber Heights
• Mallory Greenham, Assistant to the City Manager, Hamilton
• Natasha Hampton, Assistant City Manager, Cincinnati
• Nicole Harris, Economic Development Director, Warrensville Heights
• Javarious Jackson, Assistant to the City Manager, Cincinnati
• Aaron Messenger, Recreation Coordinator, Vandalia
• Matthew Peoples, City Administrator, Canal Winchester
• Joy Pierson, Community & Economic Development Director, Delhi Township
• Joey Shope, Public Service Superintendent, Beavercreek
• Erika Wagner, Administrative Services Manager, Butler County Board of Commissioners
• Ben Young, Public Policy Analyst/Director of Legislative Affairs, North Canton

The Bob Turner Scholars Internship is a hands-on learning opportunity designed to attract high school or community college students to local government and a values-based career. ICMA received a donation to be endowed in honor of Bob Turner to help train future professionals. Bob was a mentor to many individuals who followed in his footsteps and made their own contributions to society. The goal of this program is to ensure that these students have the opportunity to serve a local government as an intern under the guidance of an ICMA member mentor. Each student will work for a CAO or assistant CAO who can dedicate time over the summer to helping students understand the nuts and bolts of local government operations and, most importantly, the value system that drives decision-making and the profession.

Hosting a high school intern not only impacts the student but can impact you and your organization. Do you have the calling it takes?

To be eligible to participate in the Bob Turner Scholars Internship Program, host organizations must:

• Chief administrative officer (i.e. city/county manager or administrator) is an ICMA member.
• Submit a host application (this does not guarantee participation).
• Sign a letter of agreement.
• Submit required financial forms to ICMA (to receive reimbursement).
• Attend a host/mentor training.
• Submit a meaningful and age-appropriate work plan.
• Designate a mentor and time for mentoring opportunities.
• Participate in program debrief and feedback.

Application closes December 1, 2023.

Learn More