Strengthening Ohio’s Talent Pipeline

Ohio
Innovation

Over the past decade, Ohio has developed a robust foundation and set of policies to support learner pathways, yet there remain additional opportunities to fill gaps, expand access and strengthen learner outcomes.

To help inform Ohio’s strategic priorities over the next several years, ExcelinEd partnered with Ohio Excels to engage stakeholders in developing best practices. These best practices can improve learner outcomes, address workforce needs and increase learner economic mobility. The result is a new policy brief, Strengthening Ohio’s Talent Pipeline, that provides four policy considerations to further strengthen the state’s talent pipeline.

Why Is a Strong Talent Pipeline Needed?

A strong talent pipeline indicates that students and future workers are prepared for the rigors of the workforce with the skills and knowledge that employers need and want. With a strong pipeline in place, students benefit from high-quality options preparing them for their next steps in life. At the same time, employers benefit from a large and high-quality pool of candidates to build their workforce and grow their businesses, helping the state’s economy.

Consider Ohio’s recent workforce challenges:

Policy Considerations

In developing the policy brief, ExcelinEd and Ohio Excels gained valuable insights on talent pipelines from various stakeholders across the state. As a result, Ohio policymakers can now consider these four strategies to provide individuals with skills for in-demand jobs while also building the capable workforce that employers desperately need.

What is an ROI? A return on investment (ROI) analysis of career pathway programs examines data to determine which programs are working well for students and employers—and which are not. An ROI can help answer critical questions, such as: Do learners who choose pathway options in K-12 go on to earn a valued postsecondary credential? Do they go on to find a sustainable wage occupation? Or do they pursue pathways that lead to low-wage, low-skill jobs and little economic security?

Ohio has a chance to build on its successes and advance the hopes and dreams of its students by preparing them for the careers they want, with skills employers need. Be sure to check out the details in the new policy brief, Strengthening Ohio’s Talent Pipeline.

Solution Areas:

College & Career Pathways

Topics:

Career and Technical Education, Pathways Matter

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