Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio Newsletter

In this issue:

• WIOA Update
• Childcare Challenges, a Report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
• Equity Challenges in workforce training: research from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
• Help spread the word about upcoming OhioMeansJobs events
• Save the date for the next Board of Directors Meeting
• Youth spotlight: Harlem’s journey to earning his CDL
• Learn about ApprenticeOhio
• Register for the Ohio Chamber’s 2024 Energy Summit
• How to get involved with the Greater Cincinnati Business Advisory Council
• Upcoming free webinar from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act Update

WIOA funding is the primary source of funding for the Workforce Council. The Senate HELP Committee has been unable to secure agreement on a WIOA Reauthorization proposal, but the House Education and Workforce Committee and Senate HELP Committee have agreed to work through a potential pre-conference negotiation. This is a staff-driven process to determine whether they can address the differences between the House and Senate WIOA proposals. A timeline is not yet determined, but with Congress planning to recess before the election, there would need to be an agreement before the election for the legislation to have any chance of consideration this year.

News from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland

A new multimedia story “‘Those Who Need It Can’t Afford It’: How Childcare Challenges Are Curbing Economic Opportunity” from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland explores how childcare challenges are curbing economic opportunity through pictures, data visualizations, and firsthand accounts from parents, researchers, childcare workers, workforce development practitioners, and city and state policymakers.

New research from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies

Read this report, which calls for more data to understand the efficacy of sector partnerships for Black workers and states that the workforce system “exacerbates these disparities by steering Black workers into low-wage opportunities with minimal career advancement and economic mobility,” citing past studies.

Save the date for the Oct. 16 Career Fair at OhioMeansJobs

The next career fair at OhioMeansJobs will be on Wednesday, Oct. 16 – 2-4 p.m. The event will be free and open to everyone.

Help spread the word about upcoming OMJ workshops

Check out these October workshops at the OMJ Center that are free and open to everyone:

• Balancing Work and Health
• Careers in nursing
• Financial literacy
• Learn to navigate OhioMeansJobs.com
• Leveling Up Your LinkedIn
• Mental Health Awareness
• Proper Work Conduct
• Resume writing

Find more on the website!

Save the date for the Board of Directors Quarterly Meeting

Thursday, November 14, 2024
8:30 – 10 a.m. Meeting
OhioMeansJobs Cincinnati-Hamilton County
1916 Central Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45214

Youth spotlight: Harlem’s journey to earning his CDL

Harlem, a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipient and recent Winton Woods High School graduate in May 2024, received support from our Career Team to enroll at Napier Truck Driving School, where he thrived. The staff at Napier spoke highly of Harlem’s work ethic, expressing the same pride we feel on the Career Team.

Harlem’s dedication and drive quickly paid off—just four months after graduating high school, we are proud to announce that Harlem has successfully earned his CDL and is currently interviewing for positions where he can put his new skills to use. Harlem said, “It’s good when everyone can see the potential you see for yourself.” His success story is a reminder of the impact we strive to make every day, supporting young people as they work toward fulfilling their dreams.

Want to learn more about ApprenticeOhio? Join a live chat session!

ApprenticeOhio is a program that connects companies to people wanting to learn a trade or skill. “Ask ApprenticeOhio” is a live chat drop-in opportunity for sponsors, potential sponsors, and partners to ask questions or address an issue or concern regarding apprenticeship in Ohio. These sessions will be recorded and questions captured for FAQs. The meeting is scheduled for the first Wednesday of the month at 2 p.m. Here are the dates of upcoming sessions, and contact admin@cincyworkforce.org for meeting info:

• November 6
• December 4

Join the Ohio Chamber’s upcoming 2024 Energy Summit

The Ohio Chamber will host the 2024 Energy Summit on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Policy makers and energy experts will discuss Ohio’s energy landscape, discuss news from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and PJM, and prepare for an electrified economy. Register on the Ohio Chamber’s website.

Get involved with the Greater Cincinnati Business Advisory Council

Help students learn about career opportunities and increase awareness of your business! The Greater Cincinnati Business Advisory Council is seeking businesses that are willing to offer career exploration opportunities for youth, such as job shadowing. It is a part of the Workforce Innovation Network, a division of the Hamilton County Educational Service Center. When businesses join the Greater Cincinnati Business Advisory Council, they gain access to the new LinkedUp Connect Student Portal, which helps students find career exploration opportunities. Joining and participating in LinkedUp Connect is free.

Fill out this form to learn how to get involved

Upcoming free webinar from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD)

OOD will offer a free webinar for employers titled “Building an Inclusive Apprenticeship Program” on October 16 at 10 a.m. in observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This session will explore the benefits of inclusive apprenticeships, discuss reasonable accommodations, and highlight resources supporting these initiatives. More information, including the link to join, can be found at the webinar’s event site.

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