Workforce Innovation Center Newsletter | August 2024

Monthly Newsletter

August 2024

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Workforce Innovation Center

I am delighted to share that Workforce Innovation Center is launching Employer Tours, our new, free service, to give employers the opportunity to showcase your work environment, company mission and values, and benefits/perks offered to employees as you seek to fill open roles and retain key talent. Through this initiative, funded by Hamilton County Commissioners through American Rescue Plan Act funding, we will connect local employers who are seeking employees and resources with our workforce partner network and by extension, the individuals and families that they serve. We are in conversation with several employers from a variety of industries including healthcare, IT, manufacturing, construction and more.   


We know that with a regional unemployment rate of 4.9% and nearly 90 employers on our Career Board with more than 9,000 open roles, finding top talent continues to be a priority for companies in our region. And we know that employers with a strong employer brand do a better job of attracting talent. So let us increase your brand visibility with workforce partner organizations and job seekers by hosting an Employer Tour.  


We’ll work with you to craft a strong agenda that highlights all the benefits of your organization to help partners and job seekers consider joining your team. 


And if you are a part of our workforce/talent network, we are continuing to gather feedback about what might be most meaningful for you as you work with individuals and families in our region.   

  

Please share your thoughts and ideas so that we can arrange great tours that will help fill open positions with local talent here in the Cincinnati region!  

Employer Interest Form 
Workforce Partner Interest Form
Audrey Treasure

Audrey Treasure

Executive Director, Workforce Innovation Center

atreasure@cincinnatichamber.com

PROJECT UPDATE: WOMEN OF COLOR IN TECH

Women of Color in Tech

It’s been a busy 50 days since I started as Project Director of Women of Color in Tech.  

Here’s what I know: The hard truth according to CIO March 08, 2024 “women are still underrepresented, underpaid, and often discriminated against in the tech industry.” And according to Women Tech Network, “women make up 35% of employees in STEM in the U.S.” Furthermore, “women who identified as Asian or Pacific Islander hold 7%, those who identified as Black or African American hold 3%, and women who identified as Latina or Hispanic hold 2% of all tech positions in the U.S.” (Zippia). And regarding our Native American or Alaskan Native sisters, “of the 104,874 bachelor’s degrees in computer science awarded in 2021, only 68 — an astoundingly low .0006%.” (Women Who Code, Amplifying The Voices of Native and Indigenous Women in Tech). By these numbers, innovation is stunted.  


The Workforce Innovation Center’s Women of Color in Tech means to change these statistics.  Made possible through a grant from JPMorgan Chase, we mean not only to get Google Certifications into women’s hands, but also to connect them to regional and national, even international employers. Our incredible workforce organizations: Brighton Center, Community Action Agency | Cincinnati-Hamilton County, The Gaskins Foundation, and The Urban League of Greater Southwest Ohio are linking arms to get 300 women certified in UX Design, IT Support, Cybersecurity, Analytics, Project Management, Digital Marketing & E-Commerce.  


We are actively looking for speakers to fill our speaker series as well as employers who are hiring. We have an untapped workforce ready and certified to meet your in-demand tech needs. As schools are back in session, Oktoberfest celebrations start, and autumnal gatherings pop-up, won’t you join the Women of Color in Tech initiative?  Contact me to know more about our speaker series and employer panels or as a participant looking to grow her career.   

Alena O'Donnell

Alena O'Donnell

Project Director, Workforce Innovation Center

aodonnell@cincinnatichamber.com

GEN Z Discussion Groups - We Need Your Voice!

Are you a member of Gen-Z (born between 1997-2012)? Are you an active member of the workforce in Cincinnati? Do you hold a specialized trade certificate/credential or are you working towards one? Are you passionate about improving workplaces in the region? 
 
If so, we want to hear from you! Give us your opinions and we will give you a $25 gift card!
 
We are looking for participants in three upcoming discussion groups to learn more about Gen Z’s perspective on careers and work. Your voice will help inform a white paper that will educate employers on the unique work contributions and expectations of Gen Z.


No opinions are wrong – we want to hear it all! The sessions will take place in August. Parking will be free, and dinner will be provided along with a $25 gift card. So, if you’re available and interested, please fill out this form or click the button below. Please feel free to forward this to your friends and colleagues. Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to meeting with you!

Let Us Know You're Interested

New Housing Available for Various Income Levels

Thatcher Flats is a brand-new affordable housing development in Walnut Hills. Currently, there are units available with 1-, 2-, and 3-bedrooms. Thatcher Flats also includes amenity spaces such as community room, laundry facility, modern fitness center, and more. The development builds upon the growth and change that Walnut Hills is experiencing, while also preserving the opportunity for housing affordability in the rapidly changing neighborhood.  


Specifically, there are units available for individuals/families who make between $35,520-$72,960 (depending on household size). A move-in special is available for employees of business member organizations. If you would like your organization to become a preferred employer, please contact us today to learn more. 


Thatcher Flats will be having several Open Houses at 933 Lincoln Ave, Cincinnati, OH. Refreshments and prizes provided!


For more information about Thatcher Flats and to apply online, please visit https://www.pennrose.com/apartments/ohio/thatcher-flats/ or call 513.957.2564. 

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UPCOMING EVENTS FROM PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

4th Annual Cincinnati Rhythm presented Cincinnati Compass

Cincinnati Rhythm is our highly anticipated, multicultural annual event.

There’s something for everyone who attends including plenty of food, music, performances, and special awards. Every year we hold this special event for the immigrants and refugees who call our region home. The event is a celebration and an opportunity to connect with friends, old and new.

Register Now

All Professions Career Fair

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 | 1- 4 p.m.

1916 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45214

Join the All Professions Career Fair on Wed, Sept 18th at OhioMeansJobs Cincinnati-Hamilton County (1916 Central Parkway, Cincinnati). Sessions: 1-2PM for People in Recovery, 2-4PM General Public. Meet local employers offering jobs from $16-$28/hr+. Collaborate with Recovery Friendly Hamilton County to find your next opportunity!

Learn More

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati

September 19-22, 2024

Sawyer Point & Yeatman's Cove

America’s Oktoberfest returns to downtown Cincinnati from September 19-22, 2024. First held in 1976, the nation’s largest Oktoberfest grew even bigger as a record 808,300 attendees celebrated the rich German heritage of Southwest Ohio last year. The event will continue its expanded days and hours and open up on Thursday, September 19, 2024.

Learn More
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Recovery Friendly Workplaces Panel

Join us at CET/PBS for the filming of our expert panel session to learn how you can begin fostering a recovery friendly work environment.

Learn More

NEWS OF INTEREST

How Bank of America Ignores Its Own Rules Meant to Prevent Dangerous Workloads | The Washington Street Journal

Research: Why Inclusive Hiring Must Include Refugees | Harvard Business Review

P&G, Cincinnati Children's and more rank on Forbes' Best Employers by State list | Cincinnati Business Courier

Rise with the STARs | SHRM

Joint Center Introduces New Project on Improving Policy Narratives for Young Black Workers | Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies

Quiet vacations are making a splash — and may signal work-life imbalance | HR DIVE

How to Revitalize a Disengaged Workforce | SHRM

What High Achievers Need from Their Mentors | Harvard Business Review

Harley-Davidson is dropping diversity initiatives after right-wing anti-DEI campaign | CNN Business

Australia is the latest country to give workers the 'right to disconnect' after hours | NPR