Labor Day is a day off work for many students and workers, but its meaning is often forgotten by those of all ages. We know this day is about more than having a cookout with friends, realizing that warm summer days are coming to a close, and marking the beginning of a new school year, but what is this holiday really about?
It was on a Tuesday in September of 1882 that the first Labor Day was celebrated. Now, over 120 years later, Americans still take the first weekend in September to pause and reflect on the amazing advances in our industry—and to honor the workforce that made it possible.
It is unknown who proposed Labor Day, but credit is often given to Peter J. McGuire, co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, and Matthew Maguire, a secretary of the Central Labor Union. Whoever is to credit for this day, and however you decide to celebrate, I want you to know that you and your family make a large impact on our community no matter your field of work.
Here in Ohio, we have much to celebrate this Labor Day. As a state, we have taken serious strides to ensure that the unemployment and underemployment rate decreases and that the skills of our potential workforce rise to match the needs of employers.
This General Assembly, the legislature passed House Bills 1 and 2, both of which focused on effectively matching employees with the employers that need them. This is done through OhioMeansJobs.com; an innovative method of centralizing and streamlining Ohio’s potential workforce. Jobseekers can map career plans, prep for the SAT or GED, receive skill training suggestions and build and post resumes. Employers can search through those posted resumes to find the workers they need as their companies grow and expand. There is even a special resume builder for veterans to help our former service members translate their military experience into the skills sought out by civilian employers.
As we work towards building a workforce to match the increased number of job availabilities, let’s use this Labor Day to not only celebrate how far we’ve come, but also to recognize the work that still needs to be accomplished. Ohio’s industry is a force to be reckoned with, and we will continue working to ensure that each Ohioan has the skills he or she needs to be successful in order to find a job that allows those skills to shine.
Doug Green is the state representative serving the 66th House District.