This month, our region's workforce ecosystem took center stage in a special Workforce Development Issue of the Cincinnati Business Courier. The issue highlighted the impactful work of regional organizations across education, workforce development, economic development, and industry who are working together to create pathways to opportunity and build a workforce equipped to meet the needs of our region's employers.

The Cincinnati region excels when it comes to partnerships between educational institutions and employers that prepare talent for in-demand careers.  The issue featured several examples of this work in action including the innovative collaboration among Miami University and Butler Tech at the new Advanced Manufacturing and Workforce and Innovation Hub, ​Cincinnati State's efforts to expand access to its Mechanical Engineering and Technology program to close critical skills gaps, and the leadership of the University of Cincinnati and the Christ College of Nursing as they respond to growing demand for healthcare talent.

The Workforce Innovation Center also had the opportunity to contribute to the conversation, sharing how we are adapting to help employers navigate rapid change, strengthen talent pipelines, and prepare for the growing influence of artificial intelligence in the workplace. Additionally, we joined fellow workforce leaders from across the region for a Workforce Roundtable discussion focused on current  workforce trends, challenges, and strategies to expand opportunities for job seekers and businesses in the Cincinnati region.

As we often say, workforce development is not the work of any single organization. We are grateful to see our workforce ecosystem recognized and proud to stand alongside so many partners who continue to strengthen the future of work across our region and create opportunities that help people build meaningful careers while helping employers meet their talent needs. 

If you are interested in connecting with our workforce and talent ecosystem, we're here to help! The Workforce Innovation Center's mission is to create a more connected network of employers, educators, and community based partners, and we're happy to explore how those connections can support your organization's goals.

WORKOHIO

As the WorkOhio Southwest Regional Hub Leader, the Workforce Innovation Center continues to advance the program's primary directive to connect job seekers to opportunity across Southwest Ohio.

As a part of that work, our team was pleased to welcome Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel to Cincinnati earlier this month for the statewide WorkOhio Job Connector Tour. 

The visit included a tour of the Crosley Tower demolition project site hosted in partnership with the University of Cincinnati, O’Rourke Wrecking Company, and Skanska, showcasing the strength of our region's construction workforce and the breadth of career opportunities available to job seekers looking to enter the industry.

Following the site visit, Lt. Governor Tressel was joined by WorkOhio Southwest Hub community partners and leaders from regional construction employers for a roundtable discussion focused on the region’s construction workforce needs and the collaboration that supports Southwest Ohio’s workforce ecosystem.

We've posted a full recap of the Lt. Governor's visit on our blog. Check out the post below to learn more and visit  workohio.gov to explore how WorkOhio is helping job seekers reach their full potential across the region. 

WORKFORCE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

For many Cincinnatians, access to reliable transportation remains a considerable barrier to securing stable employment. Metro has recently announced a new Pre-Tax Commuter Benefit Program to address this issue that costs nothing to implement and reduces payroll taxes for every employee who enrolls—directly improving the bottom line.

The program works like an FSA or HSA, allowing employees to set aside pre-tax dollars for commuting expenses like bus passes or bikeshare. It’s simple to set up and requires minimal effort from your team. Metro provides full onboarding support to make implementation easy.

Think your employees don’t ride the bus? They don’t have to be daily riders for this benefit to make sense. Whether it’s getting to a Reds game, avoiding the hassle of downtown parking, or cutting gas costs, a Metro pass gives employees a flexible, money-saving option they’ll actually use.

Employers are often surprised by how many employees take advantage of the program once it’s offered—and how quickly the savings add up. If you’re not offering a pre-tax commuter benefit, your company is leaving money on the table.

To learn how your company can offer a no-cost benefit that adds value and generates savings, schedule a quick 10-minute call below.

FEATURED EVENT

Join the Leadership Center at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber for the upcoming University Business Summit, hosted at the University of Cincinnati's Carl H. Lindner College of Business.

As employers face evolving workforce demands and institutions navigate shifting student expectations, The University Business Summit is designed to strengthen the connectivity between our institutions of higher education and businesses in our region. 

The Summit creates a shared space to learn about new trends in education, to hear updates on public policy changes affecting our talent pipeline, and to dive into opportunities for partnerships between education and industry.

Learn more and secure your spot today

EMPLOYER TOURS

Is your company hiring? Are you looking to build stronger connections with local workforce development organizations? Our Employer Tours program is designed to help. We are seeking to expand our 2026 Employer Tour lineup, and we'd love to connect with you! 

Employer Tours connect local employers with workforce professionals who work directly with job seekers across Hamilton County and the Greater Cincinnati region. By hosting a tour, you give these professionals a firsthand look at your facilities, helping them better understand your open roles, company culture, and the benefits of working at your organization. In turn, they can better match qualified talent to your opportunities.

All Employer Tours are recapped on the Workforce Innovation Center blog to help job seekers, educators, and workforce partners across the region explore and connect to available roles. Stay tuned, the recap of our most recent Employer Tour hosted by UPS at the Walton, KY hub is coming soon. 

NEWS OF INTEREST

​Remote Work Leaves Younger Workers Sidelined – Federal Reserve Bank of New York

​Unemployment holds at 4.3% in May, but people take longer to find jobs – WLWT5

​No Raise, No Promotion: 1 in 4 White-Collar Workers Are Stalling Out – The Wall Street Journal

Mom and dad are both breadwinners in most families for first time - Axios

Entry-Level Jobs Now Want Senior Skills as AI Splits the Workforce, New Study Finds - Investopedia

College students are voting with their feet on AI. Goldman has the receipts | Fortune

51% of U.S. adults say American Dream is out of reach for most: CNBC survey

For parents with jobs, balancing family and work is a struggle : NPR

​Gen Z’s top benefit is not salary. Employers should take note. – Cincinnati Business Courier

Wages in America Are Too Low for the 30% Rule To Work for Renters Anymore - Yahoo Finance