New Workforce Partnership Successful in Upskilling for Employment

Central Ohio companies InnoSource and Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) team up with Otterbein University to ensure new hires have the skills they need to succeed

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Month Day, 2024) — Three central Ohio organizations have collaborated to create a new innovative workforce development program that combines customized job training with higher-education accreditation.

The program is called “InnoSkilling” and was designed by InnoSource, Inc., a leading HR staffing and solutions organization, Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE: WMS), a leading provider of innovative water management solutions in the stormwater and on-site septic wastewater industries, and the Coalition for the Common Good, a national system of private not-for-profit universities built around shared graduate and adult-learner programs, cofounded by Otterbein University in Westerville and Antioch University with campuses in California, New Hampshire, Ohio and Washington. The program was designed to help train individuals to fill open positions at ADS.

“We have seen how important it is to hire the right people and that starts with ensuring they are equipped from day one,” said Scott Barbour, president and chief executive officer at ADS. “This first group is small, but that’s where big ideas start. And the success we’ve seen so far shows this can work.”

To date, seven individuals have graduated, and thanks to this program, now have the skills they need to grow and succeed at ADS.

Chad Delligatti, chief executive officer of InnoSource, said the program became reality in part because the central Ohio business and education communities were willing to work together for a common goal: training people to successfully fill open positions. “This program is foundational to InnoSource and what we do,” Delligatti said. “We’re a company that solves workforce challenges and we have a long history of helping companies minimize turnover. Part of that is making sure new hires have the skills they need before they walk into a new job. Because of ADS and the Coalition and the great partnership our three teams have established, that’s exactly what this program does.”

Patrick Coyle, senior vice president of supply chain at ADS, called the program “transformative,” noting that graduates of the program are ready on their first day. “This program has fostered strong relationships among our new employees, which has led to better communication, mutual support and effective collaboration,” Coyle said. “Overall, we are extremely satisfied with the outcomes.”

Labor shortages across the country are disrupting business and making it challenging for companies to achieve their goals. A July 2024 U.S. Chamber of Commerce report showed 8.1 million job openings, but only 6.8 million unemployed workers.

“To address workforce shortages, we need to think creatively, and partnering with new and interesting organizations is creativity in action,” said Otterbein President Dr. John Comerford. “This unique pilot program is an opportunity to leverage those partnerships for a greater good: getting qualified people into good jobs. Being able to introduce InnoSource to our friends at Antioch was a great opportunity for everyone. I am looking forward to seeing how this program grows in the future.”