Wednesday, September 18, 12noon-1pm, The Ellis, 777 N. Fourth St.; this event will also be live-streamed on YouTube

Will an innovative new collaboration help Central Ohio attract and build the workforce it needs? It’s no secret the region needs more workers than ever. While Ohio’s unemployment rate crept up in April to 4% — just slightly over the national average of 3.9% — the chronic lack of qualified workers threatens to drive up wages, contribute to inflation, and constrain growth. The region’s newest workforce innovation promises to be a model that could spread to other areas of the state if successful. The Central Ohio Workforce Development Network is a new large-scale collaborative between thirteen organizations that backers say will open a wide new pipeline funneling eager workers to employers. The Network promises to align a diverse array of organizations to improve access to quality workforce development services and talent. Its “no wrong door” approach seeks to channel workers to employers no matter how they enter the collective, and to also connect workers with the resources they need to stay in the workforce, including childcare, digital literacy, mental and behavioral health, and housing resources. With a panel of employment advocates and regional leaders, we unpack this newest effort to keep Central Ohio’s talent pool filled to the brim.

Featuring Scott Johnson, Director, Central Ohio Workforce Development Network; Lisa Divine, Manager, Talent Acquisition, Worthington Steel; Toni Cunningham, President and CEO, Godman Guild; with moderator Bo Chilton, CEO, IMPACT Community Action.

RSVP for this event by using this link.

Hosted by Columbus Metropolitan Club.