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- Supporting a Strong Talent Pipeline...
Northeast Ohio’s workforce is more than just job seekers and employers. The workforce ecosystem is a network of partners dedicated to connecting people to opportunities and making sure they’re fully prepared to excel.
A strong talent pipeline is a key component to the Cleveland Foundation’s efforts to sharpen our region’s competitive edge and grow good jobs for residents.
Nicole Rosenbaum, Cleveland Foundation program officer for workforce development and talent cultivation, shares more about how the foundation is supporting workforce development initiatives—including a recent grant to Greater Cleveland Works—that will help position Cleveland as a go-to place to locate and expand business.
What is a talent pipeline and how does it impact regional competitiveness?
A strong talent pipeline includes trained workers who are ready to fill a role when an opportunity opens –– ensuring businesses have access to a skilled, ready workforce.
Cultivating a talent pipeline puts a strategic lens on workforce development, connecting job seekers, training providers and employers. When education and training are aligned with industry needs, the region becomes more attractive to companies looking for talent.
What are some challenges facing Northeast Ohio’s workforce?
On the individual level, some barriers to employment can include lack of access to childcare, health care or education and training. On a more systemic level, we’ve been missing a strong connector to convene job seekers, employers and educational institutions in a way that ensures alignment and efficiency. The newly restructured Greater Cleveland Works is positioned to serve as the hub the system needs—coordinating efforts to ensure a more efficient and effective talent pipeline.
What is Greater Cleveland Works and how will it help strengthen workforce development efforts in Northeast Ohio?
Individual agencies have done incredible work supporting Northeast Ohio’s workforce. As the local workforce development board, Greater Cleveland Works will serve as the key system connector for Northeast Ohio’s workforce development ecosystem. The organization plays a pivotal role in aligning and coordinating key workforce system participants—such as employers, job seekers, educational institutions and local training providers—ensuring that workforce development efforts are streamlined and more responsive to the region's economic needs. With its transition to a newly structured nonprofit, Greater Cleveland Works now has more flexibility to innovate, raise funds and better serve a wider range of individuals. Its role is central to making the workforce system more effective and connected, which ultimately strengthens the region’s ability to meet the demands of local employers and support job seekers in their career development.
Learn more about Greater Cleveland works here.
Learn more about the Cleveland Foundation’s impact priorities here.