Q1 Spring Convening
Worker Voice, Workplace Impact: Designing Better Jobs Together
At the Spring 2026 Convening, workforce, education, employer, and community partners came together to explore how human-centered design can strengthen workplaces and improve workforce outcomes. The session, led by Melissa Kleder - the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, emphasized the importance of incorporating worker voice into job design and organizational decision-making.
Melissa Kleder - National Fund's Job Design Framework, focused on the four pillars of job quality: core: Compensation, benefits, and working conditions that support stability and well-being, support: Training, supervision, and resources that help employees succeed in their roles, opportunity: Career development and advancement pathways that promote long-term growth, voice: Employee engagement and participation in decisions that affect their work. By investing in these areas, employers can create stronger workplaces that benefit both workers and organizations. Kleder also highlighted Job Quality Outcome Maps, a tool that helps employers understand the evidence base for improving jobs and workplace practices
Kristen Bagnall, Carli Trimboli, Jennier Krause and Michelle Unland - TriHealth and The Health Collaborative shared principles from their Human-Centered Job Design Project. Through feedback gathered directly from frontline employees, participating sites independently arrived at the same solution: strengthening career navigation and helping employees better understand and access growth opportunities within their organizations. Early results show this approach is already making a positive impact
TCGC highlighted their 2026 priorities: Job Quality & Employer Engagement, Career Navigation, Advocacy & Engagement for Underserved Groups, and Responding to Changing Economic & Workforce Conditions. These focus areas will guide workgroup activities and regional collaboration efforts throughout the year.
Karen Finan - OneNKY Alliance shared how the organization is bringing together leaders, organizations, and community members to drive meaningful regional change across Northern Kentucky. Through initiatives like the OneNKY Summit Series, the alliance is promoting collaboration around shared priorities and helping create a stronger, more connected region. The presentation reinforced the value of cross-sector partnerships and collective action in addressing workforce and community challenges.
The 2026 Spring convening underscored the importance of collaboration, worker voice, and intentional job design in building stronger workplaces and a more resilient regional workforce.
