Annual Summit 2025
Listening First: Human-Centered Workforce Development in Action
The Talent Collaborative Summit brought together workforce, education, and community leaders to share ideas for strengthening the region's talent pipeline. Our speakers Audrey Mickahail, Dr. Fernando Figueroa, Jackson Fort, Josie Massett, Amber Fischvogt, Marvin Jackson provided powerful and relevant insights that highlighted the strength and potential of the future workforce. Sessions focused on skills-based hiring, Gen Z workforce trends, career exploration, workforce development, and the power of collaboration in creating pathways to opportunity.
Keynote Speaker - Audrey Mickahail - STARs
Audrey Mickahail, Senior Vice President of Private Sector & Member Experience at Opportunity@Work, delivered a keynote on the importance of skills-first hiring and the need to "Tear the Paper Ceiling" by recognizing workers who gain skills through experience, training, military service, certifications, and other non-degree pathways. These workers, known as STARs (Skilled Through Alternative Routes), make up more than 70 million workers nationally and over 500,000 workers in the Cincinnati region.
Mickahail emphasized that many STARs already have the skills needed for higher-wage jobs but face barriers such as degree requirements, limited professional networks, and misconceptions about their capabilities. Opportunity@Work's research shows that skills-based talent practices can help employers expand their talent pipelines while creating greater economic mobility for workers.
She also introduced STARSight, a data tool designed to help communities and employers identify local talent pathways and workforce opportunities. The session encouraged employers to improve skill-based hiring practices, challenge outdated assumptions about talent, and create more opportunities for workers to advance based on their skills rather than credentials alone.
Gateway Community & Technical College - Christi Godman
GCTC offers more than 30 career-focused programs in healthcare, business, technology, manufacturing, skilled trades, and public service fields, including Nursing, Business Administration, Information Technology, Engineering, Welding, Automotive Technology, Supply Chain Management, Early Childhood Education, EMS, Fire Science, and Apprenticeship Studies.
In addition to degree and certificate programs, GCTC provides customized workforce training, continuing education, professional certifications, CDL training, apprenticeships, and industry credentialing services.
GCTC also offers student support services such as accessibility services, pre-employment transition services, and resources for low-income students, helping individuals gain the skills, credentials, and support needed to enter and succeed in the workforce.
GEN Z in the Workforce in the Cincinnati Region - Dr. Fernando Figueroa and Jackson Fort
Dr. Fernando Figueroa and Jackson Fort shared research on Gen Z in the workforce. Their findings show that Gen Z is not avoiding work; they're seeking employers who invest in their development, treat them with respect, offer fair pay, and provide clear opportunities for growth. The research also highlighted what young people value about Cincinnati: affordable living, a blend of urban, suburban, and rural lifestyles, and access to sports, arts, entertainment, and parks.
To attract and retain Gen Z talent, employers should focus on competitive and transparent pay, skills-based hiring, mentorship, career advancement opportunities, and inclusive workplace cultures. Building partnerships with schools and training providers, while actively listening and responding to employee feedback, can further strengthen engagement with the next generation workforce.
SWOhioJobs_Explained - Josie Massett
Josie Massett, creator and host of the social media account, connects with employers throughout Southwest Ohio to showcase real career opportunities through interviews, workplace visits, and social media content. By highlighting the experiences of local professionals and businesses, she helps students and job seekers better understand career pathways and in-demand industries.
Walsh Kokosing - Brent Spence Bridge Project - Marvin Jackson
Marvin Jackson shared an update on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project and its significant workforce needs. The project requires an estimated 6 million work hours and 700-1,000 skilled tradespeople, creating major opportunities for local workers and businesses.
To meet workforce demand, the project team is partnered with organizations such as Goodwill, the Urban League, career technical schools, workforce agencies, and training programs to connect residents with construction careers. A key message was that both technical skills and soft skills, especially communication, are vital for success in the industry.
The presentation highlighted that the Brent Spence Bridge project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow careers, strengthen local businesses, and invest in the region's workforce through collaboration between employers, educators, workforce partners, and community organizations.
CivicLab - Amber Fischvogt
Amber Fischvogt shared how communities can solve complex challenges by working together instead of tackling issues alone. She emphasized that lasting change comes from improving relationships, engaging the right sponsors, and redesigning systems rather than creating more individual programs.
A key message was that effective partnership requires organizations, businesses, educators, and community leaders to work with one another to identify challenges, understand community needs, develop solutions, and continuously improve their approach.
The presentation also highlighted the Talent Hubs model, which brings together education, workforce, business, and civic partners to create stronger pathways to education, employment, and economic opportunity through shared goals and collective action.
The summit emphasized a simple message: building a stronger workforce takes a village. By working together across education, business, workforce, and community organizations, the Cincinnati region can create more opportunities for job seekers, support employers, and strengthen the local economy. The ideas and best practices shared throughout the day demonstrated what's possible when partners come together around a common goal of developing talent and expanding opportunity.
Panel: Amy Weber, Correy Eimer, Jamie Markle, Robbin Hoopes - discussed funders for these projects and organizations, no slides provided,
