Designing High-Impact Internship Programs in Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Regional Chamber recently held an interactive workshop focused on designing intentional, high-impact intern and co-op programs
Building a Practical Reentry Ecosystem in Hamilton County
Each year, approximately 700 individuals return home to our community from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction. When accounting for individuals returning from federal facilities and the Hamilton County jail system, that number grows significantly, totaling closer to 1,900 people reentering our community annually. Across the state, the three-year recidivism rate stands at 31.45%.
Unlocking Career Pathways with the Federal Reserve Bank’s Occupational Mobility Explorer
The Federal Reserve’s Occupational Mobility Explorer (OME) is a data-driven tool designed to help job seekers, workforce professionals, and employers identify and visualize how overlapping skillsets can lead to upward mobility in career pathways across 600+ job titles in over 500 US locations.
Hiring Returning Citizens – What Employers Should Know
Across the country, employers are seeking dependable workers who are motivated to succeed and eager to contribute. At the same time, many returning citizens—individuals involved in the legal system—are working every day to rebuild their lives, and employment is one of the most important steps in that process.
The Business Case for Fair Chance Hiring: A Workforce Strategy Hiding in Plain Sight
Fair chance hiring is a strategic workforce strategy that expands access to talent, helps reduce turnover, lowers long-term hiring costs, and supports a more stable workforce. It also connects individuals who are ready to work with employers willing to invest in their success.
Fair Chance Blog Series: What is Fair Chance Hiring?
This post kicks off our Fair Chance blog series; a collection of stories, information, and practical examples about what it means to build a more honest, effective, and humane hiring system here in Cincinnati and Hamilton County. “Fair Chance” or “justice-impacted” individuals are those whose lives have intersected with the criminal legal system, whether through arrest, conviction, or incarceration.
Skills-Based Practices: Building a Talent Pipeline for the Future
Skills-based practices, also called skills-first practices, flips the script. Instead of asking “What degree do you have?” it asks, “What can you do?” It’s a simple but transformative idea: if someone has the skills, they should have the opportunity.
Employer Tours: Jostin Construction & Brewster Pumping
On October 10, 2025, the Workforce Innovation Center and our workforce partners had the pleasure of participating in an Employer Tour hosted by Jostin Construction and Brewster Pumping. Attendees were treated to a fantastic experience that included an interactive tour of the companies’ shared shop operation in Bond Hill, a catered lunch and boardroom presentation at Jostin HQ in Walnut Hills, and a construction tour of the new Cincinnati Convention Center in downtown Cincinnati.
“Teenternity” Leave: Time Off for Parents of Teens
Working parents realize the importance of supporting their children through the pivotal and often volatile teenage years, but many workplaces don’t offer the flexibility to step back from work outside of traditional maternity and paternity policies. “Teenternity Leave” represents an emerging workforce trend aimed to address this need for working parents.
Women of Color in Tech – A Retrospective by Alena O’Donnell, Regional Project Director
At this moment in history, current news and events are riddled with tragedy and sadness so I want to break through all the “noise” and deliver stories of hope. “Antianna Beal was having difficulty finding a path that worked for her and was working at a Foot Locker when someone encouraged her to participate in the Workforce Innovation Center’s Women of Color in Tech program that was funded by JPMorganChase.
Employer Tours: CVG
In July, the CVG Airport Authority hosted an Employer Tour at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). During this visit, we went on a comprehensive tour of areas at the airport dedicated to Airfield Maintenance, Public Safety, and the Operations Center, discussing career opportunities in those areas.
Employer Tours: Pioneer Cladding & Glazing
On July 17, 2025 we had the pleasure of visiting Pioneer Cladding & Glazing for an Employer Tour. This visit focused on manufacturing opportunities at Pioneer’s shop facility in Mason, OH.
