Lorain County Community College among three in Ohio to undertake innovative job training programs

Work force training opportunities are plentiful across the state but people don't know about them, the programs aren't accessible and many don't result in employment, said Connie Wehrkamp, Kasich's deputy press secretary.

"We need to make sure they are training people for the jobs that [need] to be filled and the skills that are in demand," she said.

Kasich plans to announce the new work force development initiative on Monday. Lorain County Community College, Columbus State Community College and Cincinnati State Technical and Community College will undertake one-year pilot programs, each with its own focus.

The colleges will generally use existing funding, resources, faculty and collaborations with outside organizations. But the programs will be tailored to a specific unemployed or underemployed population and be promoted to the public and businesses by the governor's office, said LCCC President Roy Church.

"The governor's office has the benefit of the bully pulpit," he said. "He can raise visibility in ways that I can't. We need to have the business community committed to the programs so that as the people complete these programs they are assured to at least getting an interview."