The Greater Cincinnati region’s economy crosses state and county lines, and so do its workforce challenges and opportunities. Four workforce investment boards (WIBs), serving Northern Kentucky, Cincinnati–Hamilton County, Southeast Indiana, and Butler–Clermont–Warren Counties, serve as workforce leaders in each of their jurisdictions and provide leadership, coordination, and resources to meet the needs of employers and jobseekers. Together, these WIBs form an interconnected system that ensures workers can access training and careers while employers connect with the talent they need.
Northern Kentucky: Kentucky Career Center / Northern Kentucky Workforce Investment Board
The Northern Kentucky Workforce Investment Board (NKWIB) drives policy, direction, and funding oversight for the workforce system within NKY’s eight-county area development district. Structured as a 501(c)(3) public-private partnership with the majority of its members representing the business community, the NKWIB ensures that employer voices guide decision-making.
Through the Kentucky Career Centers in Northern Kentucky, the board delivers career coaching, skills assessments, apprenticeships, and training for jobseekers, while employers benefit from recruiting support, incumbent worker training, and access to labor market information.
The NKWIB also fulfills key federal and state requirements under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), working in partnership with Brighton Center, Inc., and the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission as their subcontracted service providers. Funding for the NKWIB comes primarily from federal WIOA dollars; however, state and local funds supplement the work, creating a sustainable model that supports long-term workforce strategies that benefit job seekers and employers across the region.
OhioMeansJobs Cincinnati–Hamilton County & The Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio
In Hamilton County and the City of Cincinnati, workforce leadership is provided by the Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio. As the regional WIOA board, the Council engages employers, jobseekers, education institutions, organized labor, government, and community organizations to ensure workforce programs reflect local needs and strengthen the region’s economy. To carry out this mission, the Council contracts with local organizations which deliver a full network of services to both jobseekers and employers with a focus on helping individuals overcome barriers to employment.
Services for jobseekers include:
- Career coaching, job readiness workshops, and job search assistance
- Training funds, pre-apprenticeships, and on-the-job training opportunities
- Priority of service for U.S. military veterans and eligible spouses, low-income families, and any individual with a barrier to employment
- Access to supportive services to promote job retention
Employers engage with OhioMeansJobs (OMJ) Cincinnati–Hamilton County to access a wide range of no-cost solutions, such as:
- Job postings and applicant recruitment
- Career fairs, Hiring events, screening, and customized recruiting support
- On-the-job training and pre-apprenticeship partnerships
- Sector strategies aligned with regional industry needs
- Employer workshops on timely topics
Funding comes from federal WIOA dollars, state grants, and the private sector. Together, the Council and OMJ strengthen the local economy by aligning workforce development with employer demand.
Southeastern Indiana (WorkOne Southeast / SEIWIB)
The Southeast Indiana Workforce Investment Board (SEIWIB) oversees workforce services across ten counties: Bartholomew, Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley, and Switzerland. Selected by local elected officials and authorized by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, SEIWIB convenes employers, educators, community partners, and local government to strengthen the regional workforce system.
Through WorkOne Southeast centers, residents across the ten-county region can access a variety of services, including:
- Career coaching and job matching
- Training opportunities and skills development programs
- Youth employment initiatives
- Support for dislocated workers and individuals facing barriers to employment
Employers engage with SEIWIB and WorkOne Southeast to build stronger talent pipelines and address workforce challenges. Services include:
- Assistance with job postings and recruitment
- Hosting and participating in regional job fairs
- Partnerships with training providers and apprenticeship programs
- Customized workforce solutions aligned with local industry needs
SEIWIB’s work is funded through a combination of federal WIOA dollars, state workforce funds, local partner contributions, and competitive grant opportunities, enabling the board to deliver services tailored to Southeast Indiana’s diverse economy while aligning with state and regional workforce strategies.
Butler–Clermont–Warren Counties Workforce Board (BCW Workforce / OhioMeansJobs BCW)
The Butler–Clermont–Warren Counties Workforce Development Board (Area 12), known as BCW Workforce, provides workforce leadership and oversight for workforce development across Butler, Clermont, and Warren counties in southwest Ohio. BCW Workforce ensures that federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and state workforce funds are invested effectively to meet the needs of both employers and jobseekers. The board establishes local policies, builds partnerships among business, education, training, and community organizations, and aligns workforce strategies with regional economic priorities.
As the local workforce board, BCW Workforce does not directly provide services; instead, it serves as a convener of partners and sets policies, strategies, and funding priorities for the Butler, Clermont and Warren County OhioMeansJobs (OMJ) centers. Through funding and direction from BCW Workforce, the OhioMeansJobs centers provide direct services to the community. These include résumé support, training and credential programs, apprenticeships, youth services, and specialized assistance for veterans and older workers. OMJ also works with employers to deliver recruiting assistance, hiring events, customized training, and sector partnerships.
The tri-county approach allows BCW Workforce to bring partners together, coordinate strategies across suburban, rural, and commuter-heavy communities, and ensure consistency in service delivery. By convening key stakeholders, the board strengthens collaboration and maximizes the impact of workforce investments across the region.
BCW Workforce is funded primarily through federal WIOA dollars and state resources. It is governed by a board of directors composed of business leaders, educators, and community representatives who ensure that workforce strategies remain aligned with both local needs and state workforce policy.
A Regional Workforce System
Individually, each workforce board plays a critical role in its jurisdiction. Collectively, they form the backbone of a regional workforce ecosystem that supports mobility across county and state lines, reflects the interconnected nature of the Greater Cincinnati economy, and ensures that both workers and employers have the resources they need to succeed.
By aligning strategies, sharing best practices, and building partnerships, the workforce boards of Northern Kentucky, Cincinnati–Hamilton County, Southeast Indiana, and Butler–Clermont–Warren Counties are strengthening talent pipelines, driving economic development, and building a more competitive, welcoming future for the entire region.
By: Jackson Fort
Coordinator, Workforce Innovation Center at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber
