Workforce development: Local experts address today's workforce challenges, opportunities
To address these issues locally, the Cincinnati Business Courier convened a roundtable with representatives of two of the region's leading organizations in workforce development. Beth Yoke is executive director of the Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio, the not-for-profit organization that works with employers, workforce, government, education, labor unions, and community-based organizations to strengthen the regional workforce. Michelle Clare is the dean of University of Cincinnati's College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies, which supports learners at any stage in their educational and professional growth and collaborates with university, industry, government and community partners to bridge the gap between academic achievement and career success.
Greater Cincinnati faces four key workforce development challenges today, Clare said. Many workers, particularly those with lower education levels, lack the skills employers need. Transportation is an issue as jobs in the suburbs are often inaccessible for workers reliant on public transit. Talent retention is also an issue, as Cincinnati competes for skilled workers with other regions around the country. And employers need a diverse workforce with employees of varied skills and backgrounds.
UC and the Workforce Council both play vital roles in addressing these challenges by shaping a resilient workforce and working to retain talent. UC's cooperative education program (co-op) connects local businesses with skilled students, fostering long-term employment. In the 2024-25 academic year, UC placed more than 3,000 students in Greater Cincinnati co-ops from programs that included design, engineering, IT, arts and sciences, and business. In addition, UC partners directly with companies that have a strong presence in the city—such as P&G, Kao, Kroger, and Great American Insurance Companies—through its 1819 Innovation Hub.
Western & Southern and the UC 1819 Innovation Hub partnership bring the Accelerated Career Program directly to campus. This program gives UC students hands-on experience with a leading company while building a fast track to full-time employment.
The Workforce Council convenes stakeholders to identify workforce needs and coordinates with local organizations to address those needs. It implements the region's allocation of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) dollars, which partially fund the OhioMeansJobs (OMJ) Cincinnati-Hamilton County Center. The center served more than 17,800 people at career fairs, workshops, orientations, and unemployment services. The OMJ Center leveraged $580,623 in WIOA training funds into $8.46 million in income for community members enrolled in the WIOA program.
Greater Cincinnati's economic landscape is growing and shifting. Citing the latest Labor Market Review from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Bureau of Labor Market Information (April 2025), from April 2024 to April 2025, employment increased by 13,700, Yoke said. The goods-producing sector, which includes construction and manufacturing, increased by 7,300 jobs, she said. Education and health services also showed strong job gains.
Clare said four sectors are seeing job growth and development in the region. Health care and biotech are being driven by innovation and an aging population, and Cincinnati is becoming a hub for medical research, technology and personalized medicine. Advanced manufacturing is evolving with smart manufacturing, automation, and robotics shaping the sector. The logistics and transportation sectors are benefiting from Cincinnati's strategic location and infrastructure. Data analytics, cybersecurity, and software development are booming. UC's 1819 Innovation Hub supports growth in these areas, serving as a launchpad for hands-on training, development and resources for new companies and inventions, she said.
Yoke said the Workforce Council is also focusing on the $3.6 billion Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project, which is expected to need up to 1,000 workers over the eight-year life of the project. At roughly the same time, the Western Hills Viaduct Replacement Project, a $398 million effort to build a new viaduct, will also require hundreds of workers. Work on both is anticipated to begin in 2026.
She said the Workforce Council is positioned to work with local construction and construction-related organizations, businesses, business-related organizations and educational institutions to deliver a trained workforce for these projects and support local businesses likely to be impacted by them.
Clare said UC can help prepare the workforce to meet these growth opportunities by collaborating with industry leaders to develop targeted training programs, creating certifications, apprenticeships, and upskilling pathways aligned with these sectors' needs. It also fosters STEM education and lifelong learning, promotes adaptability and soft skills by preparing workers with resilience, problem-solving, and communication skills. UC also strengthens industry-university partnerships through real-world applications in collaborative research, internships, and mentorship programs.
The university points to its $10.6 billion economic impact on Cincinnati and the 98% of its students that are either employed or enrolled in continuing education after graduation as evidence of impact.
Clare spotlighted what are expected to be the biggest workforce trends over the next decade. 'Artificial intelligence is poised to be a dominant force in reshaping the workforce,' she said. As the technology evolves rapidly, its impact on jobs will become increasingly significant. She recommended that employers stay informed and adaptable to AI's influence, and workers educate themselves about the technology to remain competitive. UC offers programs such as a Master of Engineering in AI and Artificial Intelligence in Business graduate certificate.
Another major trend is the push to return to the office across industries, challenging the remote and hybrid work models embraced since 2020. She said a new generation of students is adept in both remote and in-person work environments and predicted they will have the agility to navigate shifts in workplace formats.
She also cited a focus on soft skills and an emphasis on lifelong learning as workplace trends. 'Emotional intelligence, resilience, creativity, and problem-solving are as important as technical expertise, especially as the workforce makes major evolutionary leaps,' she said. Additionally, upskilling and reskilling are essential for workers to stay agile as industries shift. UC can serve these needs through its Skills@UC platform, she said.
Quoting the Occupational Mobility Explorer, Yoke said the most in-demand job skills today are soft skills and social skills. A recent local report, Building Better Career Pathways in Hamilton County: Fostering Sustainable & Equitable Employment for People without Four-Year Degrees, came to the same conclusion, she said.
Both agreed that digital literacy is essential to succeed in life, not just in careers. 'Effectively, efficiently, and ethically using digital tools and platforms is a foundational skill across nearly all professions,' Yoke said. However, nearly 12,000 households in Hamilton County lack broadband Internet access, she said. The OhioMeansJobs Center provides free access to computers, printers, and Wi-Fi, and OMJ Center staff are available to assist those who need help using these resources. Also, the Workforce Council collaborates with the Center to offer free workshops on topics like basic computer skills, how to create resumes, how to fill out an online application, virtual interviewing tips, and financial literacy.
Clare said today's job market demands a blend of technical prowess and human-centered skills. The most critical include digital literacy, a comfort with digital tools, data analysis, cybersecurity basics, and emerging tech like AI; the ability to pivot quickly as industries evolve and new technologies emerge, a lifelong learning mindset; and creativity and innovation.
While digital literacy is a foundational element in equipping workers for the job market, it should be paired with distinctly human skills that are irreplaceable by automation, Clare said. Workers should be encouraged to develop emotional intelligence, nurture meaningful relationships, and enhance their creativity to succeed in a world that is becoming more automated and interconnected. 'The most successful workers will be those who learn to blend technical expertise with these human-centric abilities,' she said.
Both said local businesses can play roles in supporting workforce development initiatives. Yoke said local businesses can connect with the Business Services Team at the OhioMeansJobs Cincinnati-Hamilton County Center to learn about free and low-cost services from the county, federal, and state governments that are available to help them recruit, upskill, and retain their employees, Yoke said. The center offers free monthly career fairs and opportunities for training reimbursement for employers and also provides rapid-response activities that are flexible, business-focused, and designed to respond to layoffs and plant closures by coordinating and providing aid and services to businesses and their impacted employees.
The Workforce Council's board of directors and committees include representatives of local businesses and educational institutions. 'Individuals who want to join us in this impactful work can contact me to learn about how to join a committee or serve on the board,' Yoke said.
In addition, all Ohio school districts, and educational service centers have business advisory councils, locally focused partnerships that bring together education and business leaders to engage in dialogue, foster relationships, and identify strategies to help students prepare for careers. These councils can provide opportunities such as work-based learning experiences.
Clare said local businesses can provide real-world opportunities by offering co-ops, apprenticeships, mentorships, and on-the-job training. They can also collaborate with educational institutions and workforce programs on curriculum and training to make sure they meet industry needs, stay engaged with workforce programs to share industry trends and skills needs, and encourage employee upskilling and reskilling so the workforce remains adaptable and competitive.
'Their leadership helps turn workforce development from an ideal into a tangible, collective success,' she said.
UC's 1819 Innovation Hub amplifies this collaboration by serving as a co-creation space where companies, students, and faculty work together on research, innovation, and talent development, she said.
Addressing the issue of racial equity and inclusion, Yoke said the Workforce Council contracts with the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative (CYC) to work with high school students facing barriers to graduation, providing career-readiness opportunities and wraparound support. Using the Jobs for Ohio Graduates model, the CYC keeps students in school and sets them up for success after high school, she said. Students in the program for the 2023-2024 school year achieved a 98% graduation rate. The Workforce Council also contracts with other local organizations to serve youth ages 14-24 who are neither in school nor working. They can receive life skills training, job training and credentials, work experiences, and wrap-around support.
The OhioMeansJobs Center is available to everyone and also offers additional services for priority audiences: veterans and their spouses, individuals from low-income families, and individuals with barriers to employment. Ohiomeansveteranjobs.com offers veterans special resources and access to jobs posted specifically for veterans.
At UC, compensated career experiences are available to all students, including traditional students via the co-op programs, and nontraditional students via the Skills@UC program and online degrees. Skills@UC provides affordable, accessible noncredit courses for diverse learners. 'We believe that a strong workforce spans all education and economic levels,' Clare said. 'It also supports workers across all phases of their careers.'
Funding sources are available for workforce training programs for both workers and employers. One of the best steps a job seeker can take is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, Yoke said. 'This will help students identify what federal and state funds are available for degree programs, certificate programs, and vocational and trade programs,' she said. Other funding and opportunities may include: WIOA-funded training for those who are eligible; the Ohio Individual Micro-credentialing Program (IMAP), which enables job seekers to earn free industry-recognized credentials in everything from construction to cybersecurity; and free offerings from the public library such Treehouse, LinkedIn Learning, and e-learning.
The OMJ Center's Business Services Team can connect employers with state and federally funded opportunities, including TechCred, On-the-Job Training services, layoff-aversion services, and more.
Clare said workers and employers should explore innovative, cost-effective ways to upskill, cross-skill, and reskill. 'At UC, we created Skills@UC to address this need, ensuring all workers have access to tailored skill development that aligns with their career goals,' she said. Organizations can also tap into funding sources such as federal and state workforce development grants, private foundation awards, and regional economic development partnerships to offset the costs associated with employee training. For example, collaborating with partners such as REDI Cincinnati enables access to development grants.
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