Why Ohio Employers Should Plan Their 2026 Training Strategy Now — and How Ohio TechCred Can Help

Ohio TechCred is becoming one of the most powerful tools available to Ohio employers—especially in a competitive, compliance-driven landscape where upskilling is no longer optional. Whether you’re preparing for new project demands, expanding your site services, or strengthening your safety culture, employee training remains one of the most important investments you’ll make in 2026.

Yet too often, companies wait until budgets are finalized or until problems surface to plan their training strategy. The most successful organizations take the opposite approach: they plan early, allocate intentionally, and leverage every available resource to maximize ROI.

Understanding Ohio TechCred: A Funding Program Built for Workforce Growth

Ohio TechCred is a government-funded program that enables employers to upskill their existing workforce by reimbursing training costs for short-term (typically completed in less than one year), industry-recognized credentials. Many of the programs supported align directly with safety, technical skill development, and operational excellence—areas where we see growing demand across construction, manufacturing, energy, and government sectors.

Why TechCred matters for forward-thinking companies:

  • Up to $2,000 per employee credential reimbursed
  • Flexible eligibility for full-time W-2 employees
  • Short-term training that directly supports job performance
  • Recurring funding rounds—allowing companies to build training into their yearly strategy
  • Ideal for admin software training, safety certifications, OSHA compliance, industrial technology skills, equipment operation, emergency response, and more

To illustrate why programs like Ohio TechCred matter, Cardinal’s President and CEO, Richard Barcum, CIH, CSP, CHMM, puts it simply:

“One of the biggest issues that we hear about from our clients is that they have a hard time finding good, quality, skilled employees. So this program allows them to take their A-players, their best employees, and provide that training from within.”

Some of the Most Valuable Ohio TechCred-Eligible Training Areas

Ohio TechCred covers hundreds of credentials, but many of the most impactful fall into high-growth, high-demand categories that directly support Ohio’s evolving workforce. Popular (and highly valuable) areas like:

  • Robotics & Automation
  • Manufacturing Technology
  • Information Technology
  • Construction Technology
  • Military & Smart Transportation
  • IoT & Cybersecurity
  • Healthcare Technology
  • Business Technology

These categories align with the skillsets employers need to stay competitive, safe, and operationally efficient, especially as new technologies, regulations, and project requirements continue to emerge.

Why Planning Your 2026 Training Budget Now Is Critical

Ohio employers currently have access to a powerful resource in Ohio TechCred—but it’s important to recognize that no state-funded program is guaranteed long-term. TechCred has been approved for 2026, which means organizations can confidently plan and apply for upcoming funding rounds. However, with a new governor taking office after next year’s election, future allocations and program structure could shift depending on the new administration’s priorities.

This doesn’t diminish the value of the program—it simply underscores why taking advantage of it now, while the funding is confirmed, is a smart strategic move.

Here’s why early planning matters:

1. Capture funding while it’s available: With TechCred secured for 2026, employers have a clear window of opportunity. Building a training plan now ensures your organization benefits from the program while funding is still active.

2. Avoid the Q1 scramble: January is packed with compliance resets, new project demands, and workforce onboarding. A proactive training budget prevents rushed decisions, missed deadlines, and limited training availability.

3. Secure seats in high-demand programs: TechCred-eligible training—especially safety certifications, technical programs, and industrial skills—tends to fill quickly. Planning ahead ensures your team gets scheduled before class capacity tightens.

4. Maximize your reimbursement potential: Companies that prepare early can participate in multiple funding rounds throughout the year, often turning a single-year training investment into thousands of dollars in offset costs (up to $180,000 for 2026).

5. Support retention and workforce development: A documented training roadmap signals investment in employee growth—a major advantage in competitive labor markets.

How Cardinal Helps Employers Navigate Ohio TechCred and 2026 Training Needs

Cardinal partners with Matthew Kibler, Director of Business Development at Custom Training Solutions, a division of Northwest State Community College to help companies:

  • Identify TechCred-eligible certifications
  • Select the right training for their workforce and industry
  • Schedule sessions around production, staffing, and seasonal demands
  • Apply and prepare submissions for reimbursement
  • Develop long-term training calendars aligned with 2026 business goals

Whether you need safety certifications, hands-on site training, technical skill development, or custom programs, we make sure to tailor the right resources to your specific business needs. Learn more here.

Join Us for Our Free Ohio TechCred Webinar — January 8th

To help Ohio employers get ahead of the next funding round, we’re hosting a free webinar on January 8th, featuring Cardinal and Custom Training Solutions. We’ll cover:

  • What Ohio TechCred is — and how it works
  • Which trainings qualify (including options relevant to EHS, industrial skills, and safety staffing)
  • How to maximize reimbursement across 2026
  • What employers need in order to qualify
  • Examples of successful employer submissions
  • Live Q&A with workforce training experts

Seats will fill quickly — register early to secure your spot.



from Cardinal Compliance Consultants https://cardinalhs.net/blog/ohio-techcred-2026-training/
via Cardinal Compliance Consultants

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