With an aging population and an economy in transition, Ohio faces a unique opportunity when it comes to preparing our workforce for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Senate Republicans are meeting this challenge head-on through a legislative effort to connect the Ohio Department of Education and Department of Higher Education with Ohio’s major industries. This collaboration is aimed at creating a statewide strategic workforce plan to enhance project-based learning and expand professional development programs that address how to build authentic, real-world, project-based learning into the curriculum. Senate Republicans also led the effort to invest $25 million in a state revolving loan fund to train unemployed and underemployed workers for in-demand jobs. Loans from the fund are being used to provide individuals training through public and private colleges, universities and career centers.