Last week, I had the pleasure of participating in a conversation with CincySHRM and Opportunity@Work focused on talent acquisition through skills-first hiring.

Skills-first hiring looks beyond traditional degree pathways and asks, “What can a candidate actually do?” Over the past year, we've partnered with Opportunity@Work through their StarSight platform and Tear the Paper Ceiling campaign to bring this approach to life, helping companies expand their talent pipelines to include more STARs (individuals Skilled Through Alternative Routes), such as veterans, associate degree holders, vocational training graduates, and community college-trained professionals.

This approach aligns with our mission to help employers address and meet their talent needs, which is one of their top priorities. Skills-first hiring connects employers with a strong, often overlooked pool of qualified talent, allowing them to fill open positions and grow their workforce while simultaneously creating access to opportunities for qualified workers.

Adopting skills-based hiring is not simply a checkbox; it requires intentional policy shifts in talent sourcing. Companies can leverage skills-first hiring tactics in their hiring processes by updating job descriptions to emphasize critical skills over unnecessary degree requirements, utilizing practical assessments during screening, and investing in upskilling and on-the-job training. These strategies not only remove barriers to employment for STARs but also cultivate employee retention and organizational growth for employers.

If your company is ready to take the next step to strengthen your workforce by engaging STARs, our Workforce Innovation Center team is here to help with a variety of tools, resources, and services to help apply these practices practically and meaningfully.

FUNDER SPOTLIGHT

United Way of Greater Cincinnati

We’re proud to announce that the United Way of Greater Cincinnati has chosen to continue its support of the Workforce Innovation Center as a 2025 funded partner.

We deeply appreciate United Way’s ongoing support of our mission and their stewardship in advancing workforce connectivity and economic growth across the region. Their strategic investments help ensure that resources are directed where they can make the greatest impact.

Our partnership with United Way strengthens our efforts to create actionable workforce solutions by funding projects that connect people to quality jobs, support employer practices that reduce barriers to employment, and promote long-term economic mobility.

We’re honored to be among a group of dedicated organizations working together to build a stronger, more resilient regional economy.

Learn more about United Way’s 2025 investments in the Greater Cincinnati Region.

EMPLOYER TOURS

CALLING ALL EMPLOYERS!

Our Employer Tours program is the strategic solution you need!

Employer Tours connect local employers with representatives of workforce organizations within our partner network. These professionals work directly with job seekers across Hamilton County and the Greater Cincinnati region, helping them land quality jobs with employers like you.

By hosting a tour, you’ll give these workforce professionals a firsthand look at your facilities. This helps them better understand your open roles, your company culture, and the unique benefits of working at your organization as they work with individuals looking for jobs.

As a host, you’ll benefit from:

• Direct connections with the people connecting talent to opportunity

• A chance to highlight your company’s culture, benefits, and career paths

• The opportunity to build a pipeline of qualified candidates

• A recap feature on the Workforce Innovation Center blog and LinkedIn page, boosting visibility for your open roles and the benefits of working for your company

Ready to get involved? Sign up to host a tour today!

FEATURED EVENT

LEADERSHIP SPRINT: Leading Change from Where You Are

Ready to drive meaningful change within your organization, regardless of your title? Join the Cincinnati Regional Chamber’s Leadership Sprint, a three-day program for aspiring change agents.

Facilitated by Workforce Innovation Center Lead Consultant, Dr. Kevin Sansberry II, the sprint is designed for participants to invest in their leadership potential through an exchange of ideas, challenges, and solutions with other leaders. The program is rooted in the principles of change management, strategic thinking, and action planning. The Leadership Sprint supports participants in identifying a meaningful opportunity for impact and equipping them with the tools, confidence, and community to move forward

Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of what it means to be a change agent, how to assess their organization’s readiness for change, and how to take focused action aligned with their values and goals. 

Earn SHRM/HRCI credits and leave with a clear plan to lead change, right where you are.

The Workforce Innovation Center - At a Glance

The Workforce Innovation Center offers a wealth of services and resources to help companies improve their business practices, create a more connected regional workforce ecosystem, and strengthen the economic prosperity of the Greater Cincinnati Region. From customized consulting services to tours of quality local employers, our services and resources are designed to assist you in addressing your workforce and talent needs, whatever they may be. Click a section below to learn more!

NEWS OF INTEREST

The four-day workweek gets a new booster: AI - Axios

5 for '25: Five tips on vacation planning for managers — for their employees and themselves - Cincinnati Business Courier

How to Unlock Smarter Skills-Based Talent Acquisition - SHRM 

Middle managers fade as AI rises - Axios

Gen Z workers have second thoughts about career pathways. Here's where they're looking instead. – Cincinnati Business Courier

US manufacturing is in ‘pretty bad shape.’ MIT hopes to change that – Manufacturing Dive

Cincinnati's workforce aging faster than peers | List – Cincinnati Enquirer