Last week, our team hosted Gen Z at Work: Building the Future Workplace. Following our two Gen Z in the Workforce in the Cincinnati Region white papers, the event advanced the conversation about how employers and education partners can better attract, engage, and retain the rising generation of talent to support regional growth.

Hosted at Cincinnati State, we welcomed Dr. Monica Posey, President, Dr. Fernando Figueroa, President of Gateway Community and Technical College, and Harry Snyder, President and CEO of Great Oaks Career Campuses, to share their insights on our Education and Training Panel. Each president emphasized that Gen Z brings unprecedented access to information and strong networks, which shapes how they approach work, learning, and career decisions. Drawing on their work with Gen Z and STARs students, these education leaders also highlighted growing pressure around financial expectations and flexibility, along with an increased emphasis on work that fulfills a personal sense of meaning. Speakers also stressed the importance of hands-on learning opportunities and noted that employers who engage early with students often see stronger outcomes and more prepared candidates. Sustained relationships between institutions and employers are critical to building effective talent pipelines that support regional workforce growth. Interested in getting connected to one of these great institutions for your own workplace? Let me know and I will get you connected.

We were also pleased to feature the perspective of an employer, Dennis Purcell, CHRO of Skidmore Enterprises, a Workforce Innovation Center client partner. Dennis was able to share how Skidmore has achieved a very high retention rate, including of Gen Z employees, based on a few key factors such as hiring people in alignment with Skidmore’s company values, clearly outlining opportunities for employees to advance internally, and ensuring that managers are well-trained to manage their employees.

We wrapped up the event by distributing an overview of how to create a mentorship program within an organization. Mentorship was named by our Gen Z focus group participants to help individuals learn and navigate the workplace. If you missed the event on Friday but would like a copy of the mentorship guide, send me a note and I’ll send it over.

Thank you to everyone who downloaded the white papers, attended the event, and joined us at any stage of this conversation and work to intentionally welcome Gen Z in our region’s workplace. It is because of the work of our region’s education and training providers, workforce development organizations, and purpose-driven businesses that Cincinnati is in a strong position to expand regional growth by attracting and retaining the next generation of talent.

WORKFORCE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

The Workforce Development Center at Cincinnati State connects training directly to employer needs and career pathways across the region. Located at the Evendale campus, the center combines modern classrooms and labs with hands-on instruction from industry professionals.

Each year, the WDC prepares more than 2,000 learners for careers across in-demand industries including health technology, industrial maintenance, advanced manufacturing, and HazMat rescue. Programs focus on rapid, employer relevant upskilling and can be tailored to meet specific organizational training needs.

The center also offers targeted grants and scholarship opportunities that help reduce barriers to training for both current and future students.

Through employer partnerships and experiential learning, the Workforce Development Center strengthens the region’s talent pipeline and supports career advancement across key industries.

Read the full recap of our partner tour of the Workforce Development Center to learn more. 

EMPLOYER TOURS

We have been invited by the Christ Hospital Health Network to bring members of our partner network to their upcoming Healthcare in a Day event! 

Join us on Wednesday, March 4th from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for an immersive day exploring and engaging in the world of healthcare. Attendees will experience an in-depth exploration of a variety of career paths provided by the Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences and the Christ Hospital Health Network including nursing, laboratory, pharmacy, and radiology. Additionally, our partners will have the opportunity to meet with members of the Christ Hospital's HR team following the event. 

A full agenda will be released to registrants closer to the event.

Don't miss out on this chance to connect with a major healthcare employer in Greater Cincinnati and discover the employment opportunities that they offer. 

Spots are limited, so be sure to claim yours today! 

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.

IN THE NEWS

We are so excited to see our Workforce and Talent Ecosystem partners as the focus of the February Edition of Movers & Makers Magazine.

This issue puts workforce development in the spotlight and examines how individuals on all career pathways can build the skills they need to succeed in today’s complex workforce.

The feature highlights the critical work of several of our nonprofit partners developing the Cincinnati Region's workforce including a cover story about Pam Green and the expanding impact of Easterseals Redwood across Ohio and Kentucky. 

Check out the full digital issue to read all of the profiles and learn more about how nonprofits are working together to expand opportunities for talent throughout Greater Cincinnati. 

TALENT COLLABORATIVE OF GREATER CINCINNATI

The Talent Collaborative of Greater Cincinnati is seeking bids from qualified web design and development firms for the creation of our new website.

Interested firms are invited to review the full Request for Bids (RFB) for project details, scope, and submission requirements. All bids must be received by February 27, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST. We encourage all interested and qualified firms to apply.

NEWS OF INTEREST

How Remaking the Neighborhood Could Boost Poor Kids' Futures - The Wall Street Journal

Movers & Makers highlights workforce development — NKY Works

Healthcare Jobs Have Become the Engine of America’s Labor Market - WSJ

Leaders are lagging on change readiness - HR Executive 

This Gen Z woman applied for 1,000 jobs and offered to cut her own pay because she was 'really broke and struggling.' She's not alone - Fortune

A 100K salary is no longer the standard it once was. Here's the new number. - Cincinnati Business Courier

As boomer and Gen X bosses retire, working from home will make a major comeback, new research predicts- and you have work-life balance loving Gen Z to thank - Fortune

Women Made Up Nearly All The Job Losses Last Month. Here’s Why