Workforce Funding Update
On March 5, the House Education & Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing about the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA). This is the primary source of funding for the Workforce Council. Based on the discussions that took place in the hearing, it seems likely that the Committee will re-introduce the bill that failed to pass last year, A Stronger Workforce for America Act (ASWA). No timeline was given for when ASWA may be re-introduced, but there did seem to be bipartisan support. While parts of ASWA are problematic for local workforce boards, the consensus seems to be that in the current political climate, supporting the passage of ASWA is the best option.
Final numbers for WIOA allocations for the 2025 – 2026 fiscal year from U.S. Department of Labor have not been released yet. However, in December they estimated a 7% reduction in funds from the current year.
Save the Date for the Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio’s New Leadership Series!
Join the Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio for an exclusive business leaders’ roundtable, AI in the Workplace: Navigating Opportunities & Challenges. This event is tailored for business leaders to come together and delve into how Artificial Intelligence is impacting your business. Hear brief presentations from industry experts and then join in a facilitated discussion with other business leaders. Explore how AI is reshaping the workplace and discuss the successes and challenges it has brought to your business. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with peers in a secure, supportive environment and gain valuable knowledge to drive your business forward. The major themes that surface during this discussion will help inform future events. This event will be held at the Cincinnati-Hamilton County OhioMeansJobs Center, 1916 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45214. This is the first event in a quarterly Leadership Series for 2025.
The event is free, but please RSVP here to reserve your seat.
Announcing She Builds Day with Allied Construction Industries (ACI)
Last week was Women in Construction Week. To celebrate, we partnered with Allied Construction Industries (ACI) to announce an event designed to attract more women to the construction industry: She Builds Day. The She Builds initiative was catalyzed by ACI to encourage more women to consider a career in the construction industry. She Builds Day will provide knowledge about career options in construction and direct access to successful women working in the industry. In addition, the event will offer experiential activities to help attendees gauge their interest and acumen for specific trades. Women 18 and older who are interested in a career in construction are encouraged to attend.
She Builds Day Details:
June 11, 2025
11 a.m.–1 p.m. (doors open at 10:30 a.m. for check-in and networking)
OhioMeansJobs Cincinnati-Hamilton County
1916 Central Parkway, Cincinnati
Resources and Support for Federal Workers
Are you one of the 14,000+ federal workers or do you know someone in greater Cincinnati who is seeking support or looking for employment?
Congratulations to Our Workforce Champion Award Winners and Thank You to Our Sponsor
Thank you to the sponsor of our awards celebration on Feb. 13, and congratulations to our Workforce Champion Award Winners (pictured left to right)!
- Isaias Gamboa received the 2025 Workforce Champion Award in the Advocate of the Year category
- Hope Arthur and the Workforce Innovation Team at the Health Collaborative received the 2025 Workforce Champion Award in the Leadership category
- Dr. Eugene Blalock, Superintendent of North College Hill City Schools, for receiving the 2025 Workforce Champion Award in the Innovation category
- Mushay Davis received the 2025 Workforce Champion of the Year Award in the Workforce Employee of the Year category
- C. Renee HR Consulting received the 2025 Workforce Champion Award in the Collaboration category
- Cincinnati Children’s received the 2025 Workforce Champion Award in the Employer of the Year category
photo credit: Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
Save the Date: next Board of Directors Quarterly Meeting
May 8, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
OhioMeansJobs Center, 1916 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45214
Conference Room C
Board Member Highlights
Sharing a shout-out about two of the Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio’s Board Members who were recently recognized in Cincinnati Magazine‘s 300 Most Powerful Business Leaders, Paula Brehm-Heeger and Brian D. Griffin. Congrats to them both on this recognition!
We are so appreciative of all our Board Members and the different talents and perspectives they bring to our mission to ensure a strong workforce in greater Cincinnati.
Upcoming March 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 March 19 at the Deer Park Library! The OMJ Center also hosts workshops that are free and open to everyone. Upcoming topics include:
- Financial literacy
- Healthy eating
- Unlocking resources for veterans
From Work/Shift: “To Break the Cycle of Low-Wage Work, Redesign the Workforce System”
“Our public workforce system promises opportunity, but too often, it leads to stagnation. Instead of providing a path to economic stability, many publicly-funded programs funnel people into low-wage jobs with little chance for advancement. This not only fails individuals; it diminishes our nation’s economic competitiveness.
“The new Congress presents an opportunity for reform. Policymakers fell short of reauthorizing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) last session, despite bipartisan recognition that it needs modernization. Now, Congress has another chance—and responsibility—to redesign the workforce system with a renewed focus on economic mobility.”
From the Women’s Fund: Upcoming Self-Sufficiency Simulator Launch Webinar
Learn What it Takes For Families to Make Ends Meet
What does it truly take to make ends meet? Too many Ohio families work hard yet struggle to afford basic needs like housing, childcare, and healthcare. The Self-Sufficiency Standard provides a clear, data-driven picture of what it actually costs to be economically stable—going beyond outdated poverty measures.
Date: Thursday, March 13
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Location: Zoom Webinar
Featured Story from Career Navigator
The Career Navigator project, funded by a grant from the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services, seeks to eliminate barriers to employment and to promote self-sufficiency for those in traditionally marginalized communities. Career Navigators will embed themselves in the community and serve as a one-stop resource for individuals from these five audiences in Hamilton County: African Americans, Hispanics, immigrants and refugees, returning citizens, and single working mothers. As a result, Hamilton County employers will gain a motivated, energized, prepared, talented, and credentialed workforce that supports their needs and contributes to their organizational bottom line. Launched in July 2024, this is a two-year project and a $1M investment in the community. Learn about Jahir’s Career Navigator story below.
Get Involved with the Workforce Council
- Learn about sponsorship opportunities
- Stay connected with us on LinkedIn!
Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio is a 501(c)(3) Ohio chartered nonprofit organization.
Vision: To lead the way in public workforce innovation, providing outstanding service to our diverse customer base, community, and region.
Mission: To provide employers with a prepared workforce by connecting job-seeking customers to opportunities that build their career readiness, thereby contributing to the growth of our community and regions.
What We Do: Oversee and implement the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds and programs in the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County and collaborate with regional workforce partners to strengthen the workforce system.