Lucas County is bringing its WorkReady Manufacturing program into two Toledo high schools.

Representatives of several manufacturing employers participated in an information session held last week at Woodward High School, which drew 500 people, and another was scheduled for last night at Scott. County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak said training and testing centers would open at both schools because they are near the Overland Industrial Park site, where employers will need manufacturing workers.

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WorkReady offers a national career-readiness certification, as well as training to help students and adults prepare for the test. It’s not training in the actual work that’s done in factories — employers teach that — but it prepares people to get the jobs and makes sure they have the fundamentals in reading, math, and computer skills on which the employer training will build.

Of course, students from every background and every high school must understand that college is an option for them. But manufacturing must be an option also — and that means orientation and training.

Historically manufacturing has been the lifeblood of Toledo. If employers value this particular certification — as several indicated through their involvement in the first session — then the WorkReady Manufacturing program is invaluable.

Demonstrating that we have a work force that is ready is one of the ways our region can attract investors who will create manufacturing jobs.

First Published January 26, 2017, 5:00 a.m.