Central Ohio Workforce Leadership Academy, Class of 2025
About the Academy
The Central Ohio Workforce Leadership Academy — launched in partnership by the Ohio Workforce Coalition (OWC), the Greater Ohio Workforce Board (GOWB), and the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program — brings leaders from across the Ohio workforce ecosystem, including Delaware, Knox, and Licking Counties, together for a year-long series of retreats, workshops, and action learning projects.
The Academy provides a forum for local leaders to work collaboratively to identify local and regional systems-based challenges and create shared solutions for economic opportunity for all. Fellows work with leading practitioners throughout the country as they deepen networks; strengthen systems leadership skills; apply race, equity, and systems change frameworks to their work; and increase understanding of effective strategies and programs.
Alumni of the Academy become part of the Aspen Institute’s Economic Opportunity Fellows Network, joining more than 370 alumni from 22 previous Academies in 17 cities in the US and Canada.
The first Ohio cohort ran in 2023 in Cuyahoga County. For cohort two, Ohio Workforce Coalition is partnering with the Greater Ohio Workforce Board. GOWB is a local workforce area serving forty-three Ohio counties through OhioMeansJobs (OMJ) centers. GOWB Executive Director, John Trott serves on OWC’s Leadership Committee.
“GOWB shares OWC’s commitment to system thinking and capacity building. We are excited to bring this Academy to three counties that continue to work together to build stronger workforce systems.” — John Trott, Executive Director, Greater Ohio Workforce Board
About the Ohio Workforce Coalition
The Ohio Workforce Coalition brings together stakeholders from around the workforce ecosystem to engage in professional development and promote public policies that build the skills of adult workers, meet the workforce needs of employers, and strengthen workforce systems. We represent members from education and training, economic and workforce development, business and industry, community-based workforce organizations, labor, human services, and the public workforce system.
About the Greater Ohio Workforce Board
Click here to learn about the Greater Ohio Workforce Board.
About the Workforce Leadership Academies
The Aspen Institute’s Workforce Leadership Academies, part of the Economic Opportunities Program, bring together leaders across the many siloed fields of practice, organization types, and government policies that make up the field. The Academies strengthen Fellows’ capacity to develop and sustain effective workforce strategies, collaborate more deeply with employers, and expand the number and quality of leaders who advance opportunities for low-wage workers and job seekers as they meet employers’ talent development needs.
About the Economic Opportunities Program
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy.
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