August 29, 2025
September is Workforce Development Month!
Industry-driven strategies are the backbone of a strong workforce system. When employers help identify skill needs and shape training, it ensures job seekers and incumbent workers gain the right skills while businesses build the talent they need to grow.
In March 2024, Dover Chemical Corporation, a chemical manufacturer located within Tuscarawas County, leveraged the Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board’s Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWTP) to provide management and leadership development training for 15 employees. The ten-session program focused on key workplace skills like “Communicating for Results” and “Goal Setting”—ensuring the upskilling aligned with the company’s talent needs and supporting their desire to become a more sustainable workplace. By December, participants completed the ten-session program, leading to enhanced skill competencies, staff compensation increases totaling $96,000, with some promotional opportunities.
Patrice Y., Director of Human Resources, stated, “At Dover Chemical, we believe that investing in our people is the most impactful strategy we can take as an organization. Our recent leadership development training has not only strengthened the skills of our current leaders but also prepared the next generation of talent to step into critical roles. This investment in upskilling ensures that our workforce is equipped to meet today’s challenges while building a stronger foundation for tomorrow.”
Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board is committed to strengthening local talent pipelines, supporting employers, and driving long-term regional growth.
