Federal Funding Update 

There has been a flurry of activity with the new White House administration, and you may have heard about a pause on federally funded programs and grants, which was later rescinded. Regarding our primary funding stream, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), funds have already been allocated to the states for the remainder of our fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2025. WIOA expired in 2020 and has been operating as an unauthorized bill since then, which could put workforce boards in a precarious position. Right now, it is uncertain whether Congress will revisit the topic of WIOA authorization this year.  

Our financial security is a critical issue, and we are monitoring federal funding activities closely and following the guidance from state and national workforce advocacy groups. At this time, though, there is no cause for alarm, and we are operating as usual. In addition, Workforce Council staff are creating an advocacy plan to ramp up our government relations and advocacy activities. Stay tuned for more, as we will likely be calling on our Board of Directors, partners, and supporters to help get the word out to elected officials, policymakers, and others about the important work we achieve with federal funds in supporting the county’s employers and job seekers. 

Meet Our Board President, Natasha Chesnut 

We are thrilled to welcome Natasha Chesnut, SHRM-SCP, as our 2025 Board Chair! Natasha currently serves as the Vice President of Human Resources at Skyline Chili. With over 20 years of experience in Human Resources, Natasha brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio’s Board of Directors. We are confident that her extensive background and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to grow and achieve our goals in cultivating a thriving workforce ecosystem. Thank you, Natasha, for serving as the 2025 WCSO Board Chair! 

Join us on Feb. 13 for an Initiatives Showcase, Board Meeting, & Awards Celebration 

Thursday, Feb. 13 

• 8:00 –8:30 a.m. – Initiatives’ Showcase and breakfast 
• 8:30 – 9:15 a.m. – Board Meeting  
• 9:15 – 10:00 a.m. — Celebration of 2025 Workforce Champion Awards 

Location:  Forest Park Branch Library 

Thank you to the sponsor of our awards celebration! 

Request for Proposals for Facilities Management Services 

The Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio has put out an RFP for facilities management services for the Cincinnati-Hamilton County OhioMeansJobs Center at 1916 Central Parkway in Cincinnati. The deadline to respond is Feb. 15.  

Upcoming February Career Fair and Workshops at the OhioMeansJobs (OMJ) Center 

The OMJ Center hosts a monthly career fair – help us spread the word about the next one on Feb. 19! The workshops are free and open to everyone. Upcoming topics include: 

• Building wealth for your future 
• Eating healthy with MyPlate  
• Pathways to careers in AI 
• Unlock the power of personal branding 
• Work-life balance 

Join an upcoming Brent Spence Bridge Networking event 

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) will host a free Matchmaker/Networking Event for Prime Contractors and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Contractors to highlight two upcoming projects in Hamilton County/ ODOT District 8. The event will include an update on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project. Representatives from the Walsh Kokosing Design-Build Team will attend and answer questions from attendees. ODOT staff will be available to speak with attendees and answer questions. All attendees will have the opportunity to network. 

Thursday, February 27 – 1 – 4 p.m.

Radisson Hotel Cincinnati Riverfront

668 West 5th Street Covington, KY 41011

Resources for Employers with Immigrant Workers 

The American Business Immigration Coalition and other organizations offer free resources to employers to help them ensure they comply with existing regulations while protecting their employees and their operations. Here are a few:  

• ABIC Employer Resource on the government’s three primary enforcement tools 
• A Guide for Employers: What to do if immigration comes to your workplace 

Cincinnati Compass, Legal Aid, Catholic Charities, and the Immigrant and Refugee Law Center (IRLC) have collaborated to provide “Know Your Rights” presentations. To request a presentation, please email CincyKYRpresentation@gmail.com with “Know Your Rights” in the subject line. 

For Job Seekers: Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project Workforce Opportunities Presentation 

Presented by the project team at OhioMeansJobs 

OhioMeansJobs invites you to a presentation on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project, highlighting workforce opportunities associated with this major infrastructure project. The project team will provide details about the anticipated project schedule, available opportunities, and how you can get involved. Free parking will be available. 

Event details: 

Thursday, March 6, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. – noon 

OhioMeansJobs Cincinnati 

1916 Central Pkwy | Cincinnati, OH 45214 

Report on New Apprenticeship Approaches 

From the Burning Glass Institute: “Economic shifts in the wake of the pandemic have left many US industries scrambling for talent. Despite the possibility of a recession, there are still about 50% more jobs than job seekers, and many experts predict that even in a sluggish economy, the labor market will remain tight. At the same time, three-quarters of US workers have jobs that offer neither the prospect of better pay nor concrete opportunities for advancement. For employers struggling to find the talent they need and for workers whose careers are stalled, apprenticeships offer a powerful solution.”

Featured Story from the OMJ Center 

A story from Workforce Specialist Kathleen Busemeyer: 

“Collaborating with the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s Workforce Innovation Center and their ‘Women of Color in Tech’ initiative, the OhioMeansJobs Cincinnati-Hamilton County business services team hosted an in-person and virtual career fair in late 2024. Recruiters from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Blue Alliance, Fifth Third, 4BIS, Kroger, I.T., and UC Health talked with candidates who have undertaken career pivots into the world of technology. The participants have completed self-driven Google Coursera certifications in IT Support, Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing/E-Commerce, Project Management, and UX Design. One of many favorable comments from employers was the following: 

‘What we appreciated most about this recruiting event was the opportunity to engage in more meaningful and in-depth conversations with candidates. Unlike traditional career fairs, where interactions are often limited to just a few rushed minutes, this event allowed us to spend more time with each candidate, review resumes, and provide feedback. This deeper and more casual engagement was refreshing as compared to traditional career fairs.’ – Kroger IT Recruit. 

Get involved with the Workforce Council

• Learn about sponsorship opportunities 
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