Business-led workforce partnerships in manufacturing, healthcare and IT

 
 

Workforce Connect launched in 2019 to create workforce sector partnerships, to connect more workers to well-paying career paths and help employers find the skilled talent they need, ultimately supporting a more inclusive and competitive economy in Cuyahoga County. Sector partnerships gather employers in the same sector to identify their most critical workforce needs, develop strategies that work for both employers and jobseekers, and connect in resources from the workforce ecosystem. Intermediaries facilitate sector partnerships.

Workforce Connect sector partnerships are active in Cuyahoga County in manufacturing and healthcare, Workforce Connect Manufacturing launched in early 2019, followed by Workforce Connect Healthcare in August 2020. Since formation, Workforce Connect sector partnerships have supported more than 1,200 workers to secure jobs in Manufacturing, Healthcare and Information Technology, through connecting more employers to existing workforce development efforts and developing/expanding additional workforce development supports. Over 100 companies have been involved in the sector partnerships to date. Workforce sector strategies are also active in Built Environment, and Early Childhood Education Workforce.

To find out more about the sector partnership model, please see the report, “Developing Sector Partnerships in Cuyahoga County: Findings and Recommendations.”


REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Cuyahoga County Workforce Funders Group (WFG), based in Cleveland, Ohio, is seeking proposals for strategic planning support, to guide its next three-year strategy (2025+). Please find the Request for Proposals (RFP) linked here.

Proposals are due by February 16, 2024. 

The WFG is respectful of the time of candidates and organizations in responding to RFPs. As such, any candidate who is interested to learn more may have a discussion (up to 30 min) with 1-3 members (based on schedules) of the WFG prior to Feb. 10. This is not required but is offered to ensure candidates who go to the effort of submitting a proposal to have a chance to ask questions. 

About the Cuyahoga County Workforce Funders Group

The Cuyahoga County Workforce Funders Group (WFG) is a public, private, philanthropic partnership of funders driving systems changes in workforce development that boost workers’ access to family-sustaining careers, increase businesses’ access to the talent they need and support equitable outcomes, especially by race. The first area of focus of the WFG was to create sector partnerships in Cuyahoga County, through Workforce Connect. In the last two years, the WFG has added a significant number of other initiatives to its plate, all focused on systems change and supporting the desires and needs of our community and its partners.

To Find Out More About Workforce Connect, Contact:

workforceconnect@thefundneo.org

Attn: Janine Kaiser, facilitator