Good jobs have never been more plentiful in our region, state and the nation as Ohioans celebrate In-Demand Jobs Week from May 2 through May 6. Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted are urging communities across Ohio to help create awareness of jobs that pay more than $50,000 per year with less than one year of training.

The goal is to inspire students and job-seekers to earn a credential and pursue a job in Ohio. According to Ohio Means Jobs, there are nearly 250,000 unfilled jobs in Ohio, and more than 150,000 of those jobs pay $50,000 or more per year.

Just one example of such a job is a commercial drivers licensed (CDL) driver. I recently spoke to an Afghan refugee who is enrolled in Stark State’s five-week CDL program. He is motivated by the opportunity to earn more than $60,000 per year as a CDL driver and the opportunity to improve his English language skills while supporting his family.