Ohio University Southern is offering a session for employers called TechCred Application Workshop.

OUS’s director of workforce success Sarah Diamond Burroway explained that the TechCred program is a state initiative offered through the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. The workshop is free and will help walk employers through the process of applying for the credentials. It will be from 1:30–4:30 p.m. on March 11 in room 214 in the Academic Center at the OU campus in Ironton.

“It reimburses Ohio employers up to $2,000 per Ohio employee for training that is technology focused,” she said. “It is for any employer that could benefit from their employees being upskilled with technology training.”

Some of the technology areas included in the TechCred program include business, healthcare, construction, manufacturing, cybersecurity, information, military, robotics and smart transportation.

“I was surprised to learn that it includes technical training for fire departments,” Burroway said. “It runs the gamut.”

She said that if there is technology training that isn’t on the list, the employer can ask the state to consider the training request.

That training could include learning new software, new technical equipment or a gamut of other technological learning across a variety of businesses. The funding for credentials include training must be technology focused, take less than a year to complete and must be industry-recognized.

“Technology is always changing and some people may be a little intimidated by what this reimbursement program by the state can provide,” Burroway said, adding that workshop facilitator Brynn Stepp, the southeast Ohio representative for Lt. Gov. Jon Husted’s office, will work with interested employers on the application process, look at what their technology training needs may be and help employers get their applications processed.

The application window began on March 1 and is open until the end of the month. After that, the state will review the applications and make their determination on which applications they can accept. Once the application is accepted, the employees can begin the training and once it is completed, the employer can upload proof of the training be completed and then be they will be reimbursed by the state.

Seating is limited and registration is required by calling 740-533-4953 or by emailing workforcesuccess@ohio.edu. To learn more, go to https://techcred.ohio.gov.