West Central Ohio Manufacturing Partnership

Overview

The West Central Ohio Manufacturing Partnership (WCOMP) is a nonprofit organization focused on addressing workforce challenges in the manufacturing sector. Headquartered in Lima, Ohio, this initiative serves as a collaborative platform for manufacturers across a ten-county region in west central Ohio, including Auglaize, Champaign, Allen, Darke, Hardin, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Shelby, and Van Wert counties.

Mission and Objectives

WCOMP's mission is to make manufacturing a desirable career choice by addressing common workforce issues among its participating members. The organization is led by employers, ensuring that its programs are demand-driven and tailored to the technical requirements of the industry. Key objectives include identifying and addressing skill gaps, aligning education and training programs with industry needs, and communicating industry priorities to policymakers.

Strategies and Programs

WCOMP achieves its objectives through several strategic approaches:

• Collaborative Problem-Solving: Manufacturers work together to identify and solve common workforce challenges.
• Workforce Development: The organization aligns resources from K-12 education, community colleges, universities, and community-based organizations to address both short-term and long-term skill gaps.
• Community Engagement: WCOMP engages in community awareness initiatives to improve the perception of manufacturing careers. This includes programs like the STEM scholarship, teacher boot camps, and other educational initiatives.

Partners and Impact

Founding members of WCOMP include prominent manufacturing companies such as Crown Equipment Corp., French Oil Mill Machinery Co., Honda's Anna Engine Plant, Midmark, Nidec Minster Corp., PPG, Procter & Gamble, Staub Manufacturing Solutions, and ARCH Tool & Die, LLC. By fostering partnerships among these and other manufacturers, WCOMP helps in reducing recruitment and training costs, creating a pipeline of future employees, and shaping the future of manufacturing through collaborative networking.

Organization Structure

WCOMP operates under a neutral convening model, allowing it to deliver programs and resources equitably. This structure ensures that all partners have an equal stake in the organization's development and strategic direction. As a charitable organization, WCOMP also contributes to community development through education and industry advancement initiatives.

Conclusion

The West Central Ohio Manufacturing Partnership plays a crucial role in promoting and supporting manufacturing within its region, addressing workforce challenges, and enhancing the attractiveness of manufacturing careers for future generations.