2023 NCWA Annual Workforce Summit

Where did all the workers go?

The theme for the Annual Workforce Summit is timely and relevant as businesses across the state struggle to fill vacant positions.

Join the North Central Workforce Alliance of Ohio on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, to hear from the following speakers:

Alison Goebel, Executive Director of the Greater Ohio Policy Center

Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Department of Development

Rick Carfagna, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce

This year’s event will be held at
Mount Vernon Estate Events Center, 1041 US 250, Ashland, OH 44805
from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Doors will open at 10:15 a.m.


Cost is $15 for NCWA of Ohio members and $20 for non-members.

Pre-registration is required by October 9, so be sure to REGISTER NOW.

A special thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible:

Centerra Co-op

Simonson Construction Services

Sutton Bank

Ashland Area Economic Development

2022 Annual Workforce Summit Registration Open

Join us on October 26th for our Annual Summit to hear Ashland University Hall of Fame Women’s Basketball Coach, Sue Ramsey share how Great Teams Have Great Teammates.

Lt. Governor Jon Husted will speak about the TechCred program and the Ohio Common Sense Initiative. You will also hear from Madison Whalen, Esq. of Ohio Business for Immigration Solutions.

This year’s event will be held at
Mount Vernon Estate Events Center, 1041 US 250, Ashland, OH 44805
from 10:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Doors will open at 10:30 a.m.

Tickets are available HERE.
Cost is $15 for NCWA of Ohio members and $20 for non-members.

We expect a full house so be sure to REGISTER NOW.

A special thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible:

Centerra Co-op

Simonson Construction Services

Packaging Corporation of America

2022 Spring Luncheon Registration Open

What’s School Got To Do With It?

State of the Schools:
How is education preparing our students for the workforce?

Join us to hear from education leaders from Ashland University, OSU/ATI, Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center, Ashland City Schools, and Orrville Local Schools.

April 27, 2022 | 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Ashland University, Upper Convo
NCWA Member: $15 | Non-member: $20

REGISTER HERE

NCWA Annual Summit 2021

North Central Workforce Alliance of Ohio and Grow Ashland hosted the NCWA Annual Summit. More than 150 people gathered at Water’s Edge Event Center on October 27, 2021 to hear Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Zane Gross of Wenco Wendy’s speak about the current labor shortage.

NCWA President Joe Reep moderated a panel of local business leaders including Andy Fox, Kokosing, Pete Kandis, Aultman Orrville Hospital, and Ben Uselton, BCU Electric to hear how they are addressing their labor challenges.

Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center (ACWHCC) sophomores Miranda Stroh and Shea Lawson shared their experience as 6th graders when they attended the very first Girls with Goggles event in 2017. Both girls said their experience was instrumental in choosing to attend ACWHCC. 6th graders Hadley Bechtol and Arienne Vaughn attended this year’s Gloves & Goggles event. Both girls said they did not know much about the Career Center before the event, but now realize it could be a good option for them. Since 2017, more than 2,250 sixth-graders have attended these events!

NCWA Sponsors Gloves & Goggles Event

October 8th and 11th, the annual Gloves & Goggles event was held at Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center. Sixth graders from Ashland County visit the Career Center for half a day and visit four high school career tech programs to learn more about them and have some hands-on fun!

Erv Howard, NCWA of Ohio Executive Director, Helps prepare backpacks filled with t-shirts, safety glasses, gloves, tape measures, and more for each student who attends.

Sixth graders learn more about Cybersecurity and even how to pick a lock!

Visit the Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center Facebook page to see more pictures of students, teachers, staff, and volunteers!

NCWA Summit October 27, 2021 REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED

REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED. We’re sorry, but due to overwhelming response, the event is full and registration has closed. We apologize, but we will not be able to accept any walk-in registrations on event day either. We hope to see you at our future events.

The North Central Workforce Alliance of Ohio (NCWA) and Ashland Area Economic Development (AAED) are teaming up to hold an informative lunchtime summit on Thursday, October 27 from 11:00am-1:00pm at Waters Edge Event Center, located at 170 Summerset Drive, Ashland, Ohio. The focus of this two-hour event will be to help local companies figure out ways to address the ongoing labor shortage that is impacting so many area businesses.

Keynote speakers will include Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Zane Gross, President & CEO of Wenco Wendy’s Franchises. Additionally, a panel discussion with leaders from several area companies will share how their companies are successfully tackling the challenge of filling vacancies within their organizations.

No matter your position or profession, there is something to be gained at this summit for everyone.
This event is free of charge, lunch will be provided.

The NCWA of Ohio is a business-driven partnership consisting of employers from North Central Ohio whose focus is to share resources and ideas to solve common problems in attracting, training, and retaining the qualified and dedicated employees needed to grow area businesses. Questions? Please contact Erv Howard, Executive Director, at ehoward@NCWAofohio.org. 

New Member Discount

We’re well into the third quarter of 2020, although it may seem like it’s been much longer than that. COVID-19 has definitely presented some challenges this year; everything from transitioning personnel with the ability to work from home to finding creative ways to bring them back to work in your facility.

You’ve probably made some decisions already this year that you could never have anticipated. Wouldn’t it have been valuable to have resources and partners to help you navigate those waters?

NCWA knows the challenges you’ve faced, so we want to offer you the opportunity to join the team at NCWA and explore the benefits we offer as they relate to your workforce needs at a reduced price. This provides you the opportunity to see what we’re about and participate in these benefits.

For a limited time, we are offering you a membership of 12 months for the price of six months! Below is a link to our website with membership and prices. Please contact Erv Howard at 567-203-4500 or 419-908-8270 with questions or to start your membership.

COVID19 Resources

These are challenging times for us all, employers as well as employees. Every day brings changes, new loan options, new standards, more safety measures, different information. Seems as thought it’s a full time job just to stay on top of it all. Below are links to some helpful resources. If you don’t find what you need here, send an email or give our Executive Director, Erv Howard a call and he will connect you with resources to answer your questions.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce GUIDE TO SBA’S ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS

SBA Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

Ohio Department of Safety

Department of Homeland Security

Ohio Department of Health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

NCWA Connects With Future Employees

Several NCWA members including Brethren Care Village, Centerra Co-op, and Simonson Construction had the opportunity to meet with adult and high school students at the Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center in January. Nearly 400 students stepped up to meet local employers.

Students learn about career opportunities with
Simonson Construction.
Centerra Co-op employees talk to students about high-tech
careers in the agriculture industry.