Regional Chamber Launching Drug Testing Component of JobsNow Program

The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber is launching to its membership the free drug testing component of its JobsNow program, in partnership with Steward Health Care.

The Chamber’s JobsNow workforce initiative was created in 2015 to help close the gap between the demand for skilled labor and the supply of workforce-ready employees in the Valley. Skilled employees are needed to meet the growing demand for manufacturing, communications and energy jobs in the region.

One obstacle businesses face in hiring new employees is the large number that are unable to pass drug tests, resulting in jobs that go unfilled, as well as increased expenses and opportunities lost for the businesses themselves.

Nick Santucci, director of Education & Workforce Development at the Regional Chamber, said, “We have been told by our member businesses that 40-60 percent of applicants are failing drug tests when they are applying for employment. With the launch of our drug testing component, we hope to alleviate the financial burden of high failure rates for companies in our market.”

Businesses that are interested in this service must contact Santucci in order to obtain a document for their HR departments to complete for the job candidate, who will take the paperwork to Steward Health Care to be “cashed in” for the drug test. The service is only available to Chamber members.

The 12-panel opioid drug test is offered at no cost to the employer, but the business may also choose for Steward to conduct background checks or include additional services at their own expense.

The drug testing phase of JobsNow follows the initial phase in which partner WKBN has been highlighting businesses that are hiring in the area, as well as careers that are fulfilling and offer good pay. Recent data from Mahoning & Columbiana Training Association show that there are 17,875 job postings in Trumbull (5,775), Mahoning (7,275) and Columbiana counties (4,825).

Chamber members wishing to take advantage of the free drug testing services or wanting more information should contact Nick Santucci at 330.744.2131, ext. 1103, or nick@regionalchamber.com.