River's Edge Consulting

Bridging the gap between industry and education

Ohio manufacturers struggle to find workers with the right skills. Community colleges struggle to build programs that match real industry needs. I've spent a career on both sides of that divide — and I know how to build the bridge.

Let's Talk What I Do

The Problem

Industry and education speak different languages

Ohio community colleges

600K+

Manufacturing jobs in Ohio

20%+

Of Ohio GDP from manufacturing

"Manufacturers tell me they can't find skilled workers. Colleges tell me employers won't engage. Both are right — and that gap costs Ohio jobs."

— George, River's Edge Consulting

Ohio's manufacturing sector is one of the most powerful in the nation, yet workforce pipeline failures leave positions unfilled and training investments wasted. The root cause is rarely budget or willpower — it's alignment.

Manufacturers speak in production metrics, competency gaps, and time-to-hire. Educators speak in credit hours, accreditation standards, and enrollment numbers. I translate between those worlds.

Services

What I bring to the table

Whether you're a manufacturer trying to solve a skills gap, or a community college trying to build relevant programs, I meet you where you are.

Industry-Education Alignment

I facilitate structured conversations between manufacturers and colleges that result in curriculum changes, apprenticeship agreements, and shared training investments — not just good intentions.

Consulting

Workforce Training Curriculum

I develop competency-based technical training programs — from electrical apprenticeships to advanced manufacturing — that meet both accreditation standards and real floor-level skill requirements.

Curriculum Dev

Funding Strategy & Navigation

Ohio offers millions in underutilized workforce training funds. I help manufacturers and colleges identify, apply for, and stack programs like IWIP, Perkins, and WIOA to maximize training dollars.

Funding

About

I've stood on both sides of the river

George Bilokonsky — River's Edge Consulting

George Bilokonsky, M.Ed.

Founder, River's Edge Consulting

Scaled workforce training programs at an Ohio community college

Developed IBEW electrical apprenticeship curriculum for major automotive manufacturers

Deep relationships across Ohio's manufacturing and higher education communities

Fluent in both industry competency frameworks and academic accreditation standards

After decades working in workforce development — first building programs inside a community college, then designing technical training curriculum that major manufacturers actually put to work — I kept running into the same problem: the people who needed each other most weren't talking to each other.

Manufacturers would tell me they'd been to the college and nothing came of it. College administrators would tell me manufacturers never followed through. The problem wasn't motivation. It was translation — neither side knew how to make what the other needed.

River's Edge exists for that moment when you're standing at the water's edge, you can see the opportunity on the other side, and you need someone who knows how to build the bridge.

Ohio Resources

Funding programs worth knowing

Ohio manufacturers and training providers have access to significant public funds — most of which go unused because the application process feels opaque. Here's a plain-language guide.

IWIP

Incumbent Worker Training Program

State funds reimburse Ohio employers for training costs. Reimbursement rates range by company size — smaller companies receive a higher percentage. Covers a wide range of technical and skills training.

Perkins V

Career & Technical Education Funding

Federal Perkins funds flow through Ohio colleges to support CTE programs. Properly structured employer partnerships can unlock Perkins allocations for equipment, curriculum, and joint programming.

WIOA

Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act

WIOA funds support adult education, dislocated worker retraining, and youth programs. Local workforce boards administer these funds — relationships with OhioMeansJobs centers are key to access.

HS Credentials

IWIP High School Credential Incentive

Ohio pays employers a per-employee incentive when high school students earn industry-recognized credentials through work-based learning programs. A powerful tool for registered apprenticeship partnerships.

Note on TechCred: Ohio's TechCred program is currently paused due to high demand. I monitor program status regularly — contact me for the latest information on when the next round opens.

Contact

Let's start the conversation

Whether you're a manufacturer trying to close a skills gap, a college trying to build relevant programs, or someone exploring what Ohio's training funding could do for your organization — I'm happy to talk through what's possible.

Based in

Marietta, Ohio — serving manufacturers and colleges statewide

george@rivers-edge-consulting.com

River's Edge Consulting