Dual Customer Focus

The most effective workforce strategies are focused on facilitating the match between workforce supply and employer demand. To ensure that the workforce system is calibrated to meet employer needs, employers will help guide the Workforce Network, determine priority sectors, and design strategies. The Workforce Network will also include clients in our program planning and design to ensure our focus on the needs of low-skilled workers. 

Target Low-Wage/Low-Skill Workers 

Low-wage, low-skill, and “hard-to-employ” individuals have the greatest unmet need for education, employment, and advancement opportunities. The Workforce Network will initially focus its interventions on the following target populations: (1) incumbent workers who can advance from low-skill/low-wage jobs into mid-skill jobs that pay more; (2) low-skill individuals who experience many barriers in getting and keeping jobs, especially unemployed and formerly incarcerated individuals; and (3) entry-level workers graduating from technical high schools. The Workforce Network will seek to help these economically disadvantaged populations advance into quality jobs that offer family-sustaining wages and benefits.

Collaborative Approach

Collaboration across sectors, organizations, and jurisdictions is necessary for improving our workforce system. The Workforce Network is structured as a partnership between philanthropic foundations, local and state government agencies, employers, chambers of commerce, educational institutions, service providers, and workforce investment boards in the Tristate region.

Regional Scope

Greater Cincinnati’s long-term economic success will be determined by our ability to grow the skills of our entire regional workforce. Hence, our regional initiative will focus on eight counties across Southwest Ohio (Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren), Northern Kentucky (Boone, Campbell and Kenton), and Southeast Indiana (Dearborn).

Systemic Orientation 

The fragmentation of the workforce system prevents us from achieving the results that we need to grow economic prosperity. All Workforce Network activities work towards aligning funding, policies, programs, and services across organizations, sectors, and jurisdictions into a cogent system.

Data-Driven Decision-Making

Evidence-based decision-making will be used to choose priority sectors, assess various workforce strategies and programs, and evaluate the impact of our activities.

Sector-Based Strategy

The best way to align workforce development to meet employer and employee needs is to focus on specific industries that are important to the regional economy, projected to grow and add jobs in the near future, provide career advancement opportunities for low-wage/low-skills workers, and have buy-in from employers, educational institutions, and service providers.

Career Pathways Methodology

The Workforce Network will utilize this proven strategy to align all elements of the workforce delivery system in three priority sectors: (1) employers’ education programs; (2) universities, community colleges, adult career centers and technical high schools; and (3) community organizations supporting low-wage workers. Click here to learn more about career pathways.