PIQUA – The West Central Ohio Development Coaltion (WCODC), an economic development initiative consisting of seven area counties including Champaign County, is working with the Sidney-Shelby Economic Partnership to host an event aimed at educating area business, education and government leaders on how communities can work with employers to help attract skilled employees to western Ohio.

Marcia Bailey, economic development director for the Champaign Economic Partnership, said the event – Winning the Workforce War: A Summit to Help Employers and Communities Build Western Ohio’s Future Workforce – will focus on finding solutions to an issue manufacturers refer to as “the skills gap,” a shortage of people qualified to work in technically advanced manufacturing facilities.

Bailey added a recent report released by Deloitte Consulting LLP and the Manufacturing Institute revealed that over the next decade, manufacturers throughout the country will have 3.5 million positions to fill, and 2 million of those jobs could go unfilled due to a lack of qualified employees.

“Preparing our local and regional workforce for skilled, technical jobs is a key to strengthening and growing our local economy,” Bailey said. “To succeed and grow their businesses, existing companies need well-trained employees, and companies building new facilities locate where the workforce is plentiful and well-trained.”

Tickets to the workforce summit, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 17 at Fort Piqua Plaza, 308 N. Main St. in Piqua, can be purchased by visiting www.eventbrite.com/e/winning-the-workforce-war-tickets-21357484812.

Seating is limited, so interested parties are advised to register early.

For more information, contact the Sidney-Shelby Economic Partnership at 937-498-9554.