Ohio– Employment & Job Training
Ohio Reentry Employment & Job Training Directory
A statewide directory of employment, job training, and workforce programs across Ohio that may work with people on probation, parole, or pretrial release. Listings are grouped by metro region and include workforce boards, staffing agencies, training programs, and reentry-focused services. OACRA does not place you in a job — we help you find options to discuss with your officer, attorney, or case manager.
Cleveland & Northeast Ohio
Counties: Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Summit, Medina, Stark (and nearby)
✅ Verified Reentry-focused employment & job programs
OhioMeansJobs – Cleveland / Cuyahoga County
County workforce center offering job search support, resume help, training referrals, and hiring events. Many probation and reentry programs send people here to connect with mainstream employers.
County workforce center offering job search support, resume help, training referrals, and hiring events. Many probation and reentry programs send people here to connect with mainstream employers.
Ask your officer if OhioMeansJobs is part of your supervision plan
Cleveland, OH
Towards Employment (Cleveland)
Reentry-focused employment program that works with job seekers who have a criminal record, offering job readiness, legal supports, and employer connections.
Reentry-focused employment program that works with job seekers who have a criminal record, offering job readiness, legal supports, and employer connections.
Intake process may include orientation and eligibility screening
Cleveland, OH
EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute
Culinary training and restaurant employment model centered on justice-involved adults, with professional kitchen experience and wraparound support.
Culinary training and restaurant employment model centered on justice-involved adults, with professional kitchen experience and wraparound support.
Confirm eligibility, schedule, and transportation before enrolling
Cleveland, OH
Goodwill Industries (Northeast Ohio)
Retail stores, donation centers, and training programs that may consider applicants with a criminal record and offer basic work experience.
Retail stores, donation centers, and training programs that may consider applicants with a criminal record and offer basic work experience.
Each store has its own hiring process and screening
Multiple counties
🛠️ Eligible General job & training leads (confirm first)
Local staffing & temp agencies
Light industrial, warehouse, hospitality, and temp-to-hire positions. Some agencies regularly work with people on supervision; others have stricter background policies.
Light industrial, warehouse, hospitality, and temp-to-hire positions. Some agencies regularly work with people on supervision; others have stricter background policies.
Ask directly about their policy on criminal records before applying
Cleveland metro
Construction & trades apprenticeship programs
Unions and training centers in the region offer paid training for trades (electrical, carpentry, laborer, etc.). Some accept applicants with records on a case-by-case basis.
Unions and training centers in the region offer paid training for trades (electrical, carpentry, laborer, etc.). Some accept applicants with records on a case-by-case basis.
Check age, education, and background requirements for each trade
Northeast Ohio
Community colleges & short-term certificate programs
Offer STNA, manufacturing, IT, logistics, and other certificates that can lead to entry-level jobs. Some programs have clinical or licensing restrictions.
Offer STNA, manufacturing, IT, logistics, and other certificates that can lead to entry-level jobs. Some programs have clinical or licensing restrictions.
Talk with an advisor about how your record affects certain pathways
Multiple campuses
Columbus & Central Ohio
Counties: Franklin, Delaware, Licking, Union, Fairfield (and nearby)
✅ Verified Workforce & reentry employment services
OhioMeansJobs – Columbus / Franklin County
One-stop workforce center offering job matching, workshops, training vouchers, and hiring events. Frequently used by reentry and supervision programs.
One-stop workforce center offering job matching, workshops, training vouchers, and hiring events. Frequently used by reentry and supervision programs.
Let them know if you are on supervision and need proof of job search
Columbus, OH
Central Ohio reentry employment & legal-support programs
Several nonprofits in Columbus focus on helping people with records find work, prepare resumes, and address record-related barriers.
Several nonprofits in Columbus focus on helping people with records find work, prepare resumes, and address record-related barriers.
Ask your officer or case manager which reentry partner they recommend
Columbus, OH
Community action agencies & job readiness programs
Workshops on interviewing, soft skills, and basic computer use that can help with building a track record while on supervision.
Workshops on interviewing, soft skills, and basic computer use that can help with building a track record while on supervision.
Check if completion certificates can support court or probation expectations
Central Ohio
🛠️ Eligible General job leads & training (confirm first)
Distribution & warehouse employers
Logistics, pick/pack, and warehouse roles often have multiple shifts and entry-level opportunities. Background checks and restrictions vary by employer.
Logistics, pick/pack, and warehouse roles often have multiple shifts and entry-level opportunities. Background checks and restrictions vary by employer.
Ask HR which convictions are disqualifying before investing time
Columbus metro
Service & hospitality jobs
Restaurants, hotels, and cleaning companies sometimes consider second-chance applicants, especially for back-of-house roles.
Restaurants, hotels, and cleaning companies sometimes consider second-chance applicants, especially for back-of-house roles.
Be prepared to explain gaps and highlight reliable references
Central Ohio
Online job boards & “fair chance” employers
Some employers advertise that they consider applicants with records. Not every posting is truly record-friendly, so verify before counting on the job for supervision compliance.
Some employers advertise that they consider applicants with records. Not every posting is truly record-friendly, so verify before counting on the job for supervision compliance.
Save job postings and emails as proof of your search activity
Statewide / online
Cincinnati & Southwest Ohio
Counties: Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Clermont
✅ Verified Reentry employment & workforce partners
OhioMeansJobs – Cincinnati / Hamilton County
Local workforce center connecting job seekers to training, workshops, and hiring events, often in partnership with reentry programs.
Local workforce center connecting job seekers to training, workshops, and hiring events, often in partnership with reentry programs.
Ask if they have a specific reentry navigator or case manager
Cincinnati, OH
Reentry coalitions & justice-focused nonprofits
Coalitions in Cincinnati coordinate housing, employment, and support services for people returning from incarceration.
Coalitions in Cincinnati coordinate housing, employment, and support services for people returning from incarceration.
Your officer or case manager may refer you to a partner agency
Hamilton County
Goodwill & Easterseals job training programs
Employment supports that may include job readiness classes, coaching, and placement services for people with barriers to work.
Employment supports that may include job readiness classes, coaching, and placement services for people with barriers to work.
Some programs are grant-funded and have specific eligibility rules
Greater Cincinnati
🛠️ Eligible General employers & training (confirm first)
Manufacturing & light industrial employers
Production helper, machine operator, and assembly roles can be an entry point with predictable hours for supervision.
Production helper, machine operator, and assembly roles can be an entry point with predictable hours for supervision.
Background policies vary; some are strict around violent or theft cases
Southwest Ohio
CDL schools & logistics training
Driving and logistics training can lead to higher-wage work, but certain offenses may limit licensing or insurance approval.
Driving and logistics training can lead to higher-wage work, but certain offenses may limit licensing or insurance approval.
Discuss your record with a program advisor before enrolling
Multiple providers
Toledo & Northwest Ohio
Counties: Lucas, Wood, Hancock, Ottawa
✅ Verified Workforce & reentry job programs
OhioMeansJobs – Lucas County (Toledo)
Workforce center providing job leads, training referrals, and workshops, and coordinating with local reentry programs.
Workforce center providing job leads, training referrals, and workshops, and coordinating with local reentry programs.
Ask how they track job search for probation/parole documentation
Toledo, OH
Northwest Ohio reentry employment partners
Nonprofits and coalitions support people with records in building resumes, interviewing, and connecting with employers open to second chances.
Nonprofits and coalitions support people with records in building resumes, interviewing, and connecting with employers open to second chances.
Your officer may know which partners actively accept referrals
Northwest Ohio
🛠️ Eligible General job leads (confirm first)
Local staffing agencies & seasonal employers
Short-term or seasonal jobs can help build recent work history while you work toward long-term employment.
Short-term or seasonal jobs can help build recent work history while you work toward long-term employment.
Confirm whether your charges are acceptable before relying on the job
Toledo & nearby
Dayton & Miami Valley
Counties: Montgomery, Greene, Clark, Miami
✅ Verified Reentry employment & workforce supports
OhioMeansJobs – Montgomery County (Dayton)
Workforce center providing access to jobs, training options, and coaching for job seekers, including those with barriers to employment.
Workforce center providing access to jobs, training options, and coaching for job seekers, including those with barriers to employment.
Some programs prioritize justice-involved job seekers
Dayton, OH
Dayton-area reentry & workforce collaborations
Partnerships between courts, probation, and nonprofits to connect returning citizens with jobs and training.
Partnerships between courts, probation, and nonprofits to connect returning citizens with jobs and training.
Ask your officer if they participate in a reentry coalition
Miami Valley
🛠️ Eligible General employers & training (confirm first)
Manufacturing, logistics, and entry-level production
Regional employers may offer consistent shifts that help you balance work with reporting requirements.
Regional employers may offer consistent shifts that help you balance work with reporting requirements.
Clarify attendance expectations so they don’t conflict with reporting
Dayton & surrounding counties
Southeast & Appalachian Ohio
Counties: Athens, Muskingum, Ross, Lawrence, Belmont, Scioto (and surrounding)
✅ Verified Regional workforce & reentry employment
OhioMeansJobs centers (Southeast Ohio)
County workforce offices that support job search, basic training, and employer connections in rural communities.
County workforce offices that support job search, basic training, and employer connections in rural communities.
Check which services are on-site vs. online only
County-by-county
Regional reentry & workforce initiatives
Some counties coordinate reentry housing, employment, and support through local agencies and community-based organizations.
Some counties coordinate reentry housing, employment, and support through local agencies and community-based organizations.
Ask probation or a local reentry coordinator where to start
Southeast Ohio
🛠️ Eligible Rural job & training ideas (confirm first)
Local employers & short-term jobs
In smaller towns, entry-level work might be in retail, food service, small factories, or local government seasonal crews.
In smaller towns, entry-level work might be in retail, food service, small factories, or local government seasonal crews.
Be upfront about your schedule and any travel limits from probation
Small towns / rural areas
Important: OACRA does not guarantee that any employer or training program will hire or accept you. Sites marked with ✅ are programs that are commonly used with justice-involved job seekers or are described as reentry-friendly, but policies change without notice.
Before you accept a job or enroll in training: review your judgment and supervision conditions, talk with your officer or attorney about any restrictions (licensing, travel, contact with minors, driving, etc.), and get approval if needed. Keep copies of job applications, schedules, and pay stubs for your records.
Legal disclaimer: OACRA provides educational information only. We do not provide legal advice, do not guarantee employment, and do not speak on behalf of any court, probation department, parole authority, or department of corrections.
