Monthly Newsletter February 2025 |
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As we consider our work to build stronger businesses and stronger communities in 2025, we are so pleased to highlight some great examples of employers in our region who are already doing so with their own workplace practices. The Winter 2024 edition of Realm Magazine includes a feature article called, “It’s Always Training Day” and highlights three exemplary Cincinnati employers—Messer Construction, UC Health, and Gorilla Glue—investing in employee retention and upskilling through in-house training programs. The article also features the important work of partners such as the Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio in providing resources to regional companies.
One of our previous clients, Messer Construction, is leading in the training space as it has developed a two-year Laborer Apprenticeship Program and four-year Carpentry Apprenticeship Program to provide employees with valuable career-building skills. Additionally, their Uptown Workforce Development Initiative, in partnership with Building Value at Easterseals Redwood, has created over 100 construction careers for Cincinnati residents, turning major projects into opportunities for community engagement.
Another example is UC Health Pharmacy, which invests in training new and current employees through its Technician Advancement Program that combines full time work with education. The program helps to build a sustainable pipeline of skilled employees to meet the rapidly increasing demand for pharmacy professionals. UC Health partnered with us as a part of our Employer Tours program to provide in-depth insights into the roles and training programs that they offer. The recap of this tour is available now on our blog.
Gorilla Glue prioritizes development of its existing workforce through a partnership with Cincinnati Works, offering employees access to financial, behavioral, and other supports through their workforce coaching. Intended to assist employees in navigating their careers while also cultivating change and security in their lives, this initiative has boosted employee retention and engagement.
You may have also seen recent national rankings of companies from the JUST 100 and Forbes Best Large and Midsized Employers Lists, which all include some of Cincinnati’s largest employers.
We are fortunate to be in a region with such committed employers who are focused not only on running successful businesses but also on how to elevate and support their employees as part of that success. As you consider your own workforce strategy and potential partners, let me know where we might help you achieve your goals with your team! |
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| Gen-Z Survey - Looking for Additional Feedback! |
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After hosting several focus groups in 2024, we are still looking to gather perspectives from Gen Z for our new white paper. Please share this survey with the Gen Z people in your networks who chose not to go to college, also called STARs (Skilled Through Alternative Routes) so we might capture more of their insights for our next report.
A key purpose of these papers is to help local employers better understand, attract, and retain talent from our workforce’s rising generation.
If you know of any Gen-Z individuals that fit this description, please share this survey with them. All responses will be kept 100% confidential, and we are offering $25 visa gift cards to four lucky respondents! |
| Gen Z STARS Survey |
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Employer Tours: Showcase Your Workplace! |
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In 2025, we are continuing the successful Employer Tours program we launched in 2024! Designed to connect local employers with Cincinnati’s workforce organizations, these tours provide host employers the chance to showcase their workplaces and share an inside look at host companies, their facilities, jobs, benefits, and culture, helping workforce organizations better match their clients to job opportunities and helping employers to fill their open roles.
We are recapping all Employer Tours on the Workforce Innovation Center blog, where we can share this information with job seekers, educational institutions, and workforce partners across the region.
Read our first four blog posts featuring UC Health, Metalworking Group, Hollaender Manufacturing Co., and Monti Inc. at the Workforce Innovation Center blog! | | |
| Read the blog posts | |
If you are interested in hosting a tour of your workplace, please fill out this form and we will contact you shortly about arranging your tour.
If you’re interested in participating in future events in the Employer Tours program as a tour attendee, click here to register. Be sure to check in with this form regularly for updates as we add new tours to the schedule.
This program is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number 21.027 awarded to Hamilton County, Ohio by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. We are grateful to the support of the Hamilton County Commissioners in funding this program. |
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| PARTNER SPOTLIGHT | GreenLight Fund |
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GreenLight Cincinnati works to break down barriers to economic mobility by bringing proven, results-driven programs to the region. Through partnerships with community leaders, nonprofits, and funders, GreenLight identifies and invests in innovative solutions that address key challenges faced by local families- many of which are directly tied to workforce development and economic opportunity.
Since launching in Cincinnati, GreenLight has invested $3 million in six high-impact organizations- UpTogether (formerly Family Independence Initiative), Center for Employment Opportunities, First Place for Youth, Leading Men Fellowship, HomeStart Renew Collaborative, and their most recent investment, Fathers' UpLift. Each of these organizations contributes to workforce innovation by providing career pathways, job readiness training, and economic stability programs. Collectively, they have leveraged an additional $20 million and reached 1,016 individuals in the past year alone, supporting employment, education, eviction prevention, and mental health- key factors that strengthen the region’s workforce.
By connecting national expertise with local insights, GreenLight ensures that Cincinnati residents have access to the tools and opportunities they need to thrive in today’s workforce. GreenLight welcomes new partners to join them in driving meaningful, lasting change that strengthens our regional economy and business community.
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| Career Board - Help Us Get to 100+ Companies! |
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The Cincinnati Chamber/Workforce Innovation Center Career Board is a free benefit for all Cincinnati Chamber members. Currently, we have 88 companies and nearly 8,000 jobs posted and we would love to get above 100 companies! Our workforce partners and job seekers utilize the Career Board and the Perks Page to understand what opportunities are available in our region and beyond. If you are ready to be added, select Add My Company to get started. | |
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| Leadership Center |
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WE Thrive
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WE Thrive is a leadership development program that focuses on enhancing self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and foundational leadership capabilities. Through engaging sessions on topics such as mindfulness, establishing healthy work/life boundaries, and cultivating a network of mentors and allies, participants will gain the skills and confidence needed to excel in their career paths while embracing their authentic selves.
Applications close March 11, 2025 | | |
| Apply Now |
| Cincy Lead |
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Cincy Lead is a five-course leadership development program that empowers leaders and assigns each participant is assigned to a small peer advisory group for the entire program to facilitate deeper personal and professional connections. The program is designed to equip leaders with the skills and tools to accelerate their leadership in their organization and with their teams.
Applications close March 11, 2025
| | | Apply Now |
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