Celebrating In-Demand Jobs Week

An “In-Demand Jobs Week” education workshop was hosted by OhioMeansJobs Cincinnati-Hamilton County on May 10 for 17 social workers and case managers from Hamilton County Job & Family Services' CCMEP (Comprehensive Case Management & Employment Program) and local non-profits.

Presenter Kathleen Busemeyer discussed various career paths that could intersect with client interests and the training funds that OMJ provides for in-demand industry credentials. Agency representatives who attended all serve clients who have various barriers to employment including previous incarceration, issues relating to addiction and sobriety, having low incomes and lack of transportation.

Using the “In-Demand Jobs” real-time data of Ohio jobs expected to grow over the next 5-10 years allows case managers to provide a more realistic view of career paths. Industries cited include healthcare, skilled trades, logistics, office work, engineering and information systems.

Workshop planners received good feedback:   “The workshop was very helpful to me and will help me educate my clients. I learned about which jobs would provide pathways to advancement and sustainable wages.” “This workshop was very helpful to me and will allow us to create more strategic plans for client success. I learned a lot about which jobs provide sustainable pay and pathways to career advancement.” “Learning about ‘in-demand’ careers is vital due to the constant changes in business operations and the continuous demand for services and products.”

For a list of OhioMeansJobs short-term training certification providers please click here.

Second Annual Workforce Development Forum

The Sharonville Chamber of Commerce hosted its second annual Workforce Development Forum at the Sharonville Convention Center. Hosted in partnership with #SharonvilleWorks presenting sponsor, the City of Sharonville Economic Development Department and education sponsor, Great Oaks Career Campuses, the half-day session was held to spotlight success stories of partnerships among local companies, workforce programs, and regional education providers. The forum focused on finding, training and retaining employees in this tight labor market.

Nearly 100 employers and workforce development professionals participated in the forum. Representatives from a variety of organizations, including The Jurgensen Companies, Nehemiah Manufacturing, Kroger Manufacturing, StandardAero, Saint Joseph Home, Great Oaks Career Campuses, Princeton City School District, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services - Rapid Response, and Southwest Ohio Region Workforce investment Board, shared insights and best practices in talent development, non-traditional labor sources, leveraging educational partnerships and attraction/retention approaches enabled by focusing on work culture and benefits. 

Sherry Kelley Marshall, SWORWIB president and Harry Snyder, Great Oaks president (pictured on the left) discussed available resources fo r talent development, from training and placement services to in-demand job information, partnerships forged with Sharonville businesses and educators were featured.

Organizations like CET TV and Sharonville cable also helped convey the benefits of career exploration.

SWORWIB board member and Jurgensen Companies Executive Vice President Jackie Alf (pictured on right), teamed with Tom Burton, Superintendent of Princeton City Schools to discuss ways to leverage educational partnerships. They led the audience through an interactive learning exercise to demonstrate the benefits of adapting to change as, according to Burton, "We can't be bound by traditional thinking to solve today's workforce challenges." Alf, who employs several Princeton students, shared the value of flexibility and sharing success stories (and employer needs) using social media and hashtags, which garners greater exposure and connectivity.

Erica Simmons, Kroger Manufacturing Co.; Katie Schad, Beacon of Hope; Elle Baker, Nehemiah; Dan Semsel, Ohio Department of Veteran Services; and Leah Winkler, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, discussed identifying and strengthening connections with individuals in non-traditional labor pools.

Joshua Tovey Tours Southwest Ohio Region

President Marshall invited Joshua Tovey, Southwest Regional Liaison for Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted, to WIOA Area #13 in May. Tovey joined Marshall at the May Quarterly Business and Community Breakfast at Princeton High School complimenting Superintendent Burton, the principal, faculty, students and support staff for the terrific turnout of business and community to engage with soon-to-graduate students and to share reviews about Princeton’s Work Ethic Certificate Program.

Tovey complimented Princeton for the breakfast gatherings with local employers and community leaders, supported the work ethic certificate program, complimented Princeton on their Military Signing Day Ceremonies which he was not able to attend but was informed by Marshall to learn more from the Princeton and SWORWIB website. Tovey committed to sharing his new knowledge and experience with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor relative to the education and workforce partnership underway with Princeton, SWORWIB, Great Oaks, participating local employers and the Sharonville Economic Development Department. Tovey returned to the WIOA Workforce Area #13 Cincinnati/Hamilton County on May 22 for a tour of the OhioMeansJobs Center and an introduction to Board Orientation by President Marshall as an “induction” experience for working with the SWORWIB.

CCMEP Goal4IT! ^TM Training Sessions

The SWORWIB and OMJ Cincinnati/Hamilton County hosted the Comprehensive Case Management Employment Program (CCMEP) and Mathematica Policy Research team as they joined forces to deliver Goal4IT! training sessions to practitioners from Hamilton, Scioto, Clark and Stark counties. Goal4IT! is an evidence-informed, customer-centered framework for setting and achieving goals in human services (such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and workforce programs. This simple habit-forming, repeatable process helps customers set meaningful goals, break goals down into manageable steps, develop specific steps to achieve them, and regularly review goal progress.

Drawing from work from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, Goal4IT! focuses on improving outcomes for children and families using three primary strategies:

(1) reducing external sources of stress, (2) strengthening core life skills, and (3) creating responsive relationships within and beyond the program.

The day-and-a-half-day working sessions were designed to educate all on the mission/vision and process of the new customer-centered framework; engage in the science related to executive functioning skills and goal achievement, explore the coaching approach and tools and, most importantly, to practice the coaching approach and tools in real-play scenarios.

Cincy Bengals Huddle @Taft

Cincinnati Bengals players and leaders, along with City Gospel Mission and JobsPlus Careers Plus Employment program heads, took their huddle to Taft Information High School for a team-building exercise on May 7.

Alex Simons, Director of Community Engagement; Eric Ball, Director of Player Relations and team members Shawn Williams, Tyler Boyd, Joe Mixon, Andrew Billings and Carlos Dunlap, met with members of the senior class. They offered words of encouragement, wisdom and shared their own personal experiences as they transitioned to adulthood. Part of the donation from the Bengals will cover a 10-week job training program at Taft, and the program will be facilitated by Mike Hill from the JobsPlus Careers Plus Employment program.

Huddling at Taft Information High School, from left to right, Bengals players Shawn Williams and Tyler Boyd; Christina Black, Taft JCG Career Specialist, Bengals players Joe Mixon, Andrew Billings and Carlos Dunlap.

JCG Career Development Local and State Winner for Public Speaking Addresses SWORWIB

May Board Meeting

Goldeci Peterson, a student at North College Hill High School, shared his address at the May Quarterly Board Meeting. Goldeci was awarded First Place for Public Speaking address at both the local and state-wide levels at the Jobs for Ohio Graduates Career Development Conference.

College HIll High School administration joined the May meeting to hear Goldeci's address. Pictured, from left to right, are College Hill Superintendent, Eugene Blalock; CYC President/CEO, Ericka Copeland-Dansby; CYC Board Member, Elle Reisher; Goldeci Peterson, WIOA Program Manager, Leta White; and JCG Program Manager, Judith Moore Tucker.

JCG: Jobs for Ohio's Graduates Career Development Conference Winners

Congratulations to all of the student winners and their coaches! From left to right,  Mikayla Howe, Shroder – 2 ^nd Place Customer Service Telephone Techniques; Tacoria Mitchell, Withrow University – Employability Skills Testing competitor; Cleveland Farmer and Recold Moore, Taft – Students for Service competitors, DeShayla Thompson, Shroder – 3 ^rd Place Application Techniques; Elijah Housely, Taft – 1 ^st Place Employment Interview; and Goldeci Peterson, North College Hill – 1 ^st Place Public Speaking.

2019 Career Development Conference Winners

Public Speaking

Goldeci Peterson, North College Hill

(1 ^st Place State)

Diamond Daniels, Western Hills University

Lamaj Harris, Aiken New Tech

Students for Service

Recold Moore & Cleveland Farmer, R.A. Taft Information Technology

Samone Griffin & Briana Williams, Aiken New Tech

Gracie Harrison & Hadiza Aci,

Winton Woods

Cover Design

Sebastian Rodriguez, Western Hills University: (3 ^rd Place State)

Parbati Basnet, Aiken New Tech

Erika Deal, Aiken New Tech

Customer Service Telephone Techniques

Mikayla Howe, Shroder Paideia

(2 ^nd Place State)

Breyanna Phillips, Withrow University

Kent Farmer, R.A. Taft Information Technology High School

Employability Skills Testing

Tacoria Mitchell, Withrow University

Nakia Roberts, Winton Woods

Aaron Harris, Withrow University

Application Completion

DeShayla Thompson, Shroder Paideia : (3 ^rd Place State)          

Desaray Dates, Withrow University

Yagehyah Yisrael, North College Hill

Interviewing

Elijah Housley, R.A. Taft Information Technology High School: (1 ^st Place State)

Samantha Williams, Shroder Paideia

Cierra James, Winton Woods

Decision Making

Greg Smith, Western Hills University

Jermaine Clardy, North College Hill

Lakeilla Pritchett, Woodward Career Technical 

Team Challenge

Western Hills University

Dayiona Allen

Aaliyah Hill

Allyson Reupert

Shamoni McGee

North College Hill

Timiya Smith

Jeremiah Watkins

Kayla Simmons

Aiken New Tech

Israel Murrell

Thomas Reid

Brianna Triblett

Montezha Johnson

2019 Spirit Award / Procter & Gamble

Damondez Thompkins, Aiken New Tech

Career Specialist Stephanie Weaver

2019 Spirit Award / Macy's

Dayiona Allen, Western Hills University

Career Specialist Victoria Perkins

Santa Maria Celebrates 2019 Graduation

Santa Maria Community Services held a commencement ceremony on May 30 for 29 of the region's newest high school equivalency diploma holders! Santa Maria president and SWORWIB Board member H.A. Musser, welcomed the graduates' families, friends and coaches. Cincinnati Board of Education policy and partnership manager Mike Moroski addressed the graduates by sharing, "You made a choice. You had a goal. You beat the odds. You did something for yourselves so that you could be the best Mom or Dad, brother, sister and self, and by doing so, you opened the door to opportunity. Today is about taking control and I challenge you to pass your newfound strength on to someone who needs it."

Santa Maria and Literacy Program West graduates (who were available for the photo; not pictured in order.) Moria Berchtold, Isaiah Casey, Dylan Cash, Damarcus Dixon, Ethan English, Isabella Fischer, Aaron Fullbeck, Daqwan Hardy, Joshua Hawkins, Raymond Hawkins, Miniko Hicks, Jazmin Hill, Robert Holcomb, Cheyanne King, Anthony Leach, David Lynn, Bryan Messer, Emily Myers, Khiesha Peppers, Billy Poff, Courtney Prost, Kaitlyn Roach, Andrew Scott, Jon Sergent, Dakota Sison, Sydney Skeene, DeAries Taylor, Kain Towns, Cayla Williams.

ResCare Customer Nets HSE, CNA

Credential and Job!

Bryana Blue lost her mother at age 14. Two years later, she became a mother – and then again at age 17 with the birth of her second child. Unable to complete school and therefore, no diploma, made it difficult to find work. Finally, on November 28, 2018, Bryana signed up with the ResCare Out-of-School Youth Program. ResCare provided her with continuous services keeping her updated with information to be able to get the education and employment opportunities she both needed and wanted.

ResCare introduced her to Job Corps, where she chose to study nursing to earn a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificate. A talent development specialist at ResCare helped Bryana tackle childcare and transportation challenges with vouchers for both and, on May 1, she received the State of Ohio High School Equivalency Diploma (HSE). A few days later, as a result of the job training she received at Job Corps, she earned full-time employment as a CNA. Bryana is well on her way to accomplishing her career goal and creating a better life for herself and her two children.

Cincinnati Job Corps Celebrates Earth Day

During the week of April 22, staff and students at the Cincinnati Job Corps Center worked to beautify the front entrance of the center.

Teams prepared the ground for new flowers and plants. The project started on Monday and work was continued throughout the week. New potted plants and new flowers were purchased and planted in front of the building. According to the Center Director, Diane McConnell, “The center has been receiving compliments from visitors.”

Sgt. Cockrell Shares Life Success with New Job Corps Students

Before enrolling into the Job Corps program, Casandra Cockrell (right) was in high school and running with the wrong crowd. She expected to graduate in 2000 – but she’d skipped so many classes that she didn’t have enough credits. A counselor advised her to repeat the 12 ^th grade; she was devastated and embarrassed.

Casandra knew she needed to get away from the bad influences in her life. Her mother suggested that she think about going to Job Corps. It was good advice. Cassandra started her training at the Job Corps Center in February 2001, and it was exactly what she needed: small class atmosphere with caring teachers, instructors and staff members. First, Casandra worked on obtaining her high school diploma. After getting her diploma, Casandra started the training program for Office Administration. After school, she worked at Fifth Third Bank as a data entry clerk. Casandra found the job on her own. According to Casandra, “Job Corps kept me grounded and focused.”

Sergeant Casandra Cockrell speaks with Job Corps students about her experience and opportunities in the military.

When Casandra graduated from the Job Corps program in November 2001, she decided to enlist in the Army. She began what became a 17-year career – first as a truck driver and training as a medic. In 2004, she was promoted and worked as a medic for eight years. Casandra took full advantage of her time and the military benefits. She took college classes and completed an Associate’s Degree in Mental Health Addiction Studies in 2017.

She applied for a Human Resources Specialist position a year later, and shortly thereafter, she was selected to be an Army recruiter. She was stationed in Cincinnati! 

After she got settled in her new assignment, Casandra knew she had to stop by the Job Corps Center. She was surprised to find a few of the same staff members still working at the center. They were happy to see her and to hear her story. Casandra said, "Job Corps gave me the tools I needed to succeed.” She enjoys sharing her story with Job Corps students and visits the center weekly, “It feels like there is a reason for me to be here.” Sergeant Casandra Cockrell is a great Job Corps ambassador.

Marshall Meets with Santa Maria Board to Share Workforce Realities, Resources

After a rain-soaked drive through slow traffic and car wrecks, Santa Maria president H.A. Musser welcomed Sherry Kelley Marshall to introduce the Santa Maria Board of Directors to the work of the SWORWIB in Cincinnati-Hamilton County and to share her thoughts on workforce challenges facing our community, region, state and nation.

Marshall thanked Santa Maria for their consistent and high quality service to the SWORWIB’s out-of-school population. When asked what else Santa Maria could be doing, Marshall encouraged maximizing the expanded CCMEP/TANF funds to motivate new graduates to also achieve an industry credential.

Marshall Recognized at

NAWDP Conference

National Assocation of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) Board Chair MaryAnn Lawrence recognized SWORWIB President Sherry Kelley Marshall at the 2019 NAWDP Annual Conference for her leadership as the Midwest Region representative on the NAWDP Board serving in this regional role since just after the May 2016 NAWDP Conference in Florida at which Marshall won the H.G Weisman Award

The past and current award winners for the National Association of Workforce Development Professional Annual Conference were recognized at an opening reception at the 2019 Annual Conference: 

Front row L-R: Pat Sturdivant, Capital Area Workforce Development Board, 2019 Peter E. Kaiser Leadership Award; Julie Gibson, ACT, 2019 HG Weisman Award; Nikesha King, Jodi Spiegel Customer Service Award; Dr. Christine Bosworth, Business U Inc, 2019 Professional Development Award.

Back row L-R: Nilda Blanco, CareerSource Central Florida, 2018 Sar Levitan Research Award; Melissa Robbins, CEO, National Association of Workforce Development Professionals; Sherry Kelley Marshall, Southwest Ohio Region Workforce Investment Board, 2016 HG Weisman Award; Mary Ann Lawrence, PowerNotes LLC and NAWDP Chair, 1995 Staff Development Award; JoAnna McHugh, 2002 Jodi Spiegel Customer Service; Dr. Beverly Johnson, University of Georgia, 2018 Tom Ahlers System Building Award.

SWORWIB President Sherry Kelley Marshall is the Region 5/Great Lakes representative for the Midwest states of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals. Marshall is shown in the first row, left in this stage-wide photo of all NAWDP elected officials.

In the News

Dohn 22+ Community High

School Graduation

The Dohn 22+ Spring Commencement Ceremony was conducted May 23, 2019 at the St. Francis Xavier Church downtown with 95 graduates accepting their high school diplomas in front of family, friends, supporters and Dohn teachers. One of the most touching moments occurred when Chae’Von Bowman’s husband, Anthony, and son, Brian, accepted the diploma his wife earned and looked forward to receiving but died tragically from a house fire just 25 days before the ceremonies. WLWT was present to cover the acceptance by her surviving family. Click here to watch the coverage.

SWORWIB President & CEO On Sharonville

ICRC-TV "Business Talk" Show with Britt Searce

Britt Scearce, host of ICRC-TV’s “Business Talk” brought to you by the Sharonville Chamber of Commerce recently interviewed Sherry Kelley Workforce on the work of SWORWIB, a groundbreaking partnership she’s forged with the Public Library of Hamilton County – that has been adopted throughout the state – and greater career exploration needs to combat the unintended consequences of funneling everyone to a four-year college degree, mostly without a goal or funding plan. Click here to watch the interview.

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SWORWIB and The New Horizons Information Technology Scholarship Program Partnership

 

Sherry Kelley Marshall is joined by Brandy Taylor, Regional Director of Workforce Development, as they discuss the Scholarship Program Partnership between the SWORWIB and The New Horizons Computer Learning Center. Listen to discover the eligibility requirements, how to apply for the scholarship and the details of six different IT specialty skills for candidates to consider as their preferred training selection.  Brandy and Sherry also reveal the details of the scholarship, and the job placement assistance available for the scholarship winners upon completion of their training. Click here to listen now.

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Contact: Sherry Kelley Marshall

President & CEO

[email protected]