The Initiative
Northwest Ohio Workforce Strategy and Recovery Plan
As a subset of the Community of Excellence 2026: Toledo Region initiative, the Workforce Strategy and Recovery Plan was born out of a clear need for Workforce Development as a major focus moving forward. Led by a group of six micro-coalitions, coming together to form one macro-coalition that will cover all primary areas of need, this is our opportunity to set our region up for economic success and resilience—for ourselves and our future generations.
Our Vision
“To guarantee the recovery and resilience of the Northwest Ohio Workforce. A regional workforce ecosystem that is thriving, inclusion, and aligned. An ecosystem that centers collaboration and innovation to attract and retain business development and a skilled workforce.”
Goals
Create an attractive region by improving housing, transportation, natural and cultural amenities, cost of living, and the availability of appealing jobs, education, and training.
Increase talent availability by improving youth alignment and forging better connections between employers, economic development, and educational programs.
Develop right-skilled workers by better understanding each sector’s talent needs, the current pipelines and possible enhancements, and the most attractive jobs and industries for the region.
Ensure a prosperous and resilient economy with high participation and an optimal employment rate.
Forge strong regional collaboration by aligning efforts, speaking from a cohesive voice, and coordinating across workforce networks.
Ensure financial prosperity & growth opportunities for all by creating accessible pathways to opportunity and a diverse, inclusive workforce.
The Toledo Region is home to numerous high-caliber training and educational institutions to be proud of, with an undeniable capacity to retain, grow, and attract business. By addressing challenges like regional fragmentation, disparate access to resources and opportunities, and training-employment misalignments, we can create a prosperous workforce where everyone can find a meaningful role that’s right for them.
Created by the Strategy Committee, for the Toledo Region
The NWO Workforce Initiative is driven by a macro-coalition of community members from organizations across the four-county area. These individuals also serve as the project’s steering committee, responsible for synthesizing and implementing viable ideas from the many micro-coalitions operating underneath them.
