Authored By: Bryan Wright, Executive Director of Cincinnati Compass
Immigrants and refugees bring valuable skills, innovation, and energy to the Cincinnati region. At Cincinnati Compass, our work focuses on strengthening the workforce development ecosystem so immigrant and refugee talent can help meet the region’s growing demand for skilled workers. Support from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding has been critical in advancing this work.
Our approach operates at three levels within the workforce ecosystem: supporting job seekers and employees, strengthening workforce service providers, and helping employers build the capacity to recruit and retain immigrant and international talent. By working across these interconnected areas, we help ensure that immigrant and refugee residents can access meaningful employment while employers can tap into a diverse, highly skilled talent pool.
The Impact of ARPA Funding
ARPA funding has played an important role in providing stability during a time of economic uncertainty. This support has allowed our team to remain focused on connecting job seekers with employment opportunities while helping employers address workforce shortages.
The funding has strengthened our ability to serve as a connector across the region’s workforce ecosystem. It has allowed us to continue building partnerships with employers, workforce providers, and community organizations to ensure immigrant and international job seekers can access training, career pathways, and support services. In many ways, ARPA funding has helped accelerate the region’s efforts to build a more inclusive and responsive workforce system.
Looking Ahead
Over the coming year, our work will continue to focus on strengthening the workforce ecosystem in three key ways.
First, we will support employers in building their capacity to attract and retain immigrant and international talent. As workforce shortages continue to challenge many industries, expanding access to global talent will remain an important part of the region’s workforce strategy.
Second, we will engage workforce providers to ensure their services are visible and accessible to immigrant and international job seekers. This includes helping organizations better understand the needs of newcomers and strengthening coordination across the workforce system.
Finally, we will continue connecting immigrant and international job seekers to quality training, education, and career pathways within Cincinnati’s robust workforce ecosystem.
Why This Work Matters
Immigrants come to the Cincinnati region to create, innovate, and contribute. Their presence strengthens the economy and enriches the community.
With an aging population, attracting and retaining talent is essential to the region’s long-term growth. Immigrants are more likely to be of working age than the U.S.-born population and are a major driver of population growth. In fact, 47% of immigrants arriving in the Cincinnati region hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, helping meet the talent needs of key industries such as advanced manufacturing, life sciences, technology, and business and professional services.
International students also play a significant role in the regional economy, contributing an estimated $270 million and supporting nearly 2,500 jobs.
A strong regional workforce strategy must include immigrants, refugees, and international students. Thanks in part to ARPA funding, Cincinnati Compass is helping ensure these communities can fully contribute their talent—strengthening both the workforce and the future of the Cincinnati region.
Thank you to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Hamilton County Commissioners for funding this project. The Workforce Council acts as the Fiscal Agent for this grant-funded project.