Solon State Rep Passes 1st Bill As Legislator

COLUMBUS — State Representative Phil Robinson passed his first bill as a legislator in the Ohio Congress this month. Robinson's bipartisan House Bill 4 is meant to streamline certification processes for certain industries.

On Dec. 12, the bill passed the Ohio Senate unanimously. The legislation will also expand training programs available to Ohio workers.

House Bill 4 sets up the Office of Workforce Transformation as a "one-stop-shop" for employers and companies to connect with credential programs. Companies can also get advice on how to connect with schools and agencies throughout the state which produce qualified workers.

“In Northeast Ohio alone, there are more than 3,000 high paying trade and technical jobs currently available but unfulfilled. We need to connect businesses with hard working Ohioans and training programs for these middle-class pathway jobs in order to fulfill the Ohio promise of a better life,” said Robinson. “House Bill 4 will help expand workforce training and certification development options for people looking for the American dream to make a better life for themselves and their children’s future."

Robinson said an example of his law in action would be a tech company moving to Ohio and being connected with an agency helping students learn coding or programming in a specific way. Another example: a car company looking for employees trained to build electric vehicles could connect with the Office of Workforce Transformation.

“Ohioans don’t want a hand out, they want a leg up, and more training options means better paying jobs and careers. This is part of the Ohio promise,” added Robinson.