In one of the greatest investments into skill development and organizational workforce in the history of our country, Ohio is leading by example with the TechCred program. Ohio leadership has recognized the importance of a technology skilled workforce, and they’ve supported their vision by making a significant financial investment. Since the program’s inception in 2019, the state has invested more than $151,000,000 into reimbursed tech training to Ohio organizations.
The program focuses on 8 categories of technology:
- Robotics and Automation
- Military and Smart Transportation
- Manufacturing Technology
- IoT and Cybersecurity
- Information Technology
- Healthcare Technology
- Construction Technology
- Business Technology
What our Ohio leaders are saying about TechCred
“TechCred is a powerful pathway for Ohioans to gain new in-demand skills, earn higher wages and build long-term careers,” said Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel. “Employers benefit from upgraded skills in their workplace, while employees gain the confidence to keep learning and growing.”
“TechCred is making a real difference in the lives of thousands of hardworking Ohioans,” said Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik. “We are helping hardworking people take the next step — whether that’s earning a raise, finding a new job, or growing in their careers.”
How does the Ohio TechCred program work?
Any eligible Ohio organization can apply for up $30,000 in technical training during each of the six open application periods for a total of $180,000 per year. Organizations review and select the training they need, complete the TechCred online application including the course selections, and receive approval from the state. The organization then pays for the course, completes the courses, and submits for reimbursement. It is as simple as that. There are important application and reimbursement program timings to keep in mind and we have a helpful Ohio TechCred Timings Infographic for you.
What organizations and employees are eligible?
Any state registered Ohio organization with a physical location and W2 Ohio resident employees can apply for reimbursable technical training.
- Must be a state registered Ohio organization
- Must have a physical location
- Must have more than 1 employee
- Employee must be an Ohio resident and a W2 employee
- Can be a perspective employee that will meets the conditions above at the time of reimbursement submission
What does the organization need to apply?
The state registered organization will need a centralized point of contact that will complete the application submission. The point of contact will need an Ohio ID which is simple to get. The organization will need an Ohio Payee ID and if they do not have one, it can take up to 10 days to receive it. During the application you will also need to provide the organization EIN, charter number, and business detail report (domestic articles and state certificate. After this is established with the first application these items will autofill for future applications.
Here are links to help you obtain the submission resources:
- Ohio ID
- Ohio Payee ID
- Business Detail Report (contains your charter number)
What types of courses/credentials does the TechCred program reimburse?
The courses/credentials that can be approved by TechCred meet four conditions:
- Must be $2,000 or less per person per course/credential
- Must be technology focused
- Must be industry relevant
- Must be completed within 12 months of application submission
The Ohio TechCred website has a very helpful approved course/credential search feature where you can locate the course you want and the training providers that deliver them. You can use the Ohio TechCred Course Search here.
If you do not see your course/credential, you can request a review of the course when you submit your application to have it added to the list. The list of courses has been built by the requests of Ohio Employer organizations and not Ohio training providers.
How does the organization get reimbursed?
The TechCred program must collect important data points to ensure the proper use of the program and show program success. It’s important to note some personal information will be required of each employee that completes a class/credential. Here is the information you will need to supply or confirm during the reimbursement process:
- Credential earner full name
- Last four of social
- DOB
- County of residence
- Wage before and wage after credential earned (increase not required)
- Race (optional)
- Gender (optional)
- Hire date
- W4 and IT4 verification (just a checkbox)
- Date credential earned
- Certificate of completion from training provider
- Invoice showing proof of course cost
- Payment verification (cleared check, back or credit card statement)
It is important to remember that you must apply for reimbursement within 6-weeks of course/credential completion. Additionally, you may submit reimbursement in any month but can only do so a single time in that month.
What are the some of the reactions of organizations to the program?
In 2019, Mitsubishi Electric America started using the TechCred program and applied for $10,000 in their first year. For their 500 employees in Ohio, they’ve now surpassed the $500,000 mark in reimbursements and now max out the $180,000 per year in reimbursed training.
When we asked Jonathan Jones, Senior Manager, Corporate Training and Productivity Improvement how the program has impacted his employees. He stated:
“Before we started TechCred people weren’t talking about training of any type. Workers might have thought that the company wasn’t putting effort in investing in training. Now that we offer this it can show them that we do care about giving them proper training. People can now go home and know they learned something in training that will help them in their job and career.”
Can I get help in preparing to apply in the next application period?
MAX Technical Training offers a complimentary workshop, Ohio TechCred: Preparing to Apply, every month when the application period is closed. They walk you through the entire process and are advocates/advisors that are here to help. Register for their next TechCred Workshop to make an impact on your organization.
By: Denise Bartick, President and CEO, MAX Technical Training & Dustin Miller, Bootcamp Success Specialist and Marketing Manager, MAX Technical Training
