Workforce ecosystem · Supported by JPMorgan Chase
2.6 million people. One connected talent ecosystem.
Employers in Northeast Ohio, including Cleveland, Akron, and Canton, have access to a connected workforce ecosystem of partners, programs, and training models designed to help them hire, upskill, and grow talent beyond conventional degree pipelines.
Why it matters
Northeast Ohio has a deeper talent pool than standard labor-market data often reveals, thanks to a connected ecosystem of partners, programs, and training models. This ecosystem helps employers access skilled, career-ready talent developed through alternative pathways including credentials, technical training, workplace skills, and on-the-job experience.
Chapter 01 of 06
This ring represents Northeast Ohio's entire working-age population, ages 25 and older. Every adult in the region's labor pool falls somewhere inside it. Standard site-selection data typically shows only the slice with a four-year degree. The next five chapters show the rest.
The full pool
Roughly 2.6 million adults aged 25+. Five educational tiers. One regional talent supply.
Chapter 02 of 06
This is the segment standard site-selection data captures most reliably, even though it's the smallest share of the regional workforce. Bachelor's attainment is reported consistently across markets, making it an easy number for site selectors to compare region to region. Roughly 842,000 adults across Northeast Ohio sit in this segment.
Where they work
Chapter 03 of 06
Associate degrees, completed coursework, certificates, and stackable credentials, earned through community colleges, workforce programs, and employer training, all count here. This is the most under-counted segment in standard labor-market data, since it's reached through many pathways with no single source to track it. Roughly 744,000 working-age adults sit in this segment.
Where they fill
Chapter 04 of 06
Workforce-development organizations across the region offer pathways into work for this population, apprenticeships, reentry programs, and earn-and-learn pipelines that don't require a degree first. About 1 million working-age adults sit in this segment.
Where the ecosystem opens doors
Chapter 05 of 06
Associate degrees and above already show up in standard education data. The real blind spot is everyone below that line. This is the largest talent pool in the region, roughly 1.5 million working-age adults, and the region's biggest opportunity for workforce growth.
The hidden majority
Chapter 06 of 06
Bachelor’s-degree holders, associate-degree and certificate holders, workers with some college, and workers with a high-school diploma or less, all contribute to Northeast Ohio’s economy in different ways. Together, these five levels make up the region’s full talent picture, and the workforce ecosystem ahead works with all of them.
Northeast Ohio, population 25+. Source: LightCast Educational Attainment Map, NEO 14-county aggregate.
We have felt for too long in this country that educational credentials, like the baccalaureate degree, should be the gateway credential. Because of that, businesses have lost out on talented and skilled people who didn't have that gateway credential. I would encourage businesses to focus more on the skills and work with places like Tri-C to get the credentials, so we're not losing access to wonderfully talented people because we're emphasizing the completion of a degree. If we're not prioritizing skills, we're leaving stranded assets.
A fuller view of Northeast Ohio’s talent
These four numbers are a snapshot of what eight workforce development organizations delivered in Cuyahoga County. Standard labor-market data doesn't reflect 59% of Northeast Ohio's workforce, people without a associate degree or higher who are still earning credentials, gaining experience, and advancing through skills-based pathways.
Workforce partners
Northeast Ohio’s workforce ecosystem helps people move into, succeed in, and advance through meaningful careers. Partner organizations support this work in distinct but connected ways, creating career access points, delivering training and credentials, providing retention and advancement support, and helping employers connect with the talent they need. Together, they make skills-based pathways more visible, more navigable, and more valuable to the region’s economy.
Greater Cleveland Works leads and coordinates workforce resources that connect job seekers to quality jobs and help employers meet talent needs. Through public workforce programs, employer connections, training support, placement, retention, and upskilling resources, it helps strengthen both short-term workforce stability and long-term economic mobility.
Towards Employment connects people to careers with advancement potential while helping employers access and retain talent. Its work spans career exploration, wraparound support, employer-aligned pipelines, post-placement coaching, and success coaching for existing employees.
MAGNET helps build Northeast Ohio’s manufacturing workforce through hands-on youth programs, pre-apprenticeship, adult training, and employer-connected pathways. It also strengthens the broader workforce ecosystem by training coaches and partner organizations to better prepare, guide, and connect people to manufacturing careers.
NewBridge Cleveland prepares people for in-demand healthcare roles through career-focused training, certifications, externships, and employer-informed instruction. Its model combines technical preparation with career readiness, financial literacy, professionalism, and ongoing support to help graduates succeed and stay in the field.
Goodwill helps job seekers gain the workplace, job search, and technical skills needed to move into employment and continue building careers. Its flexible model supports people at many starting points while helping employers connect with loyal, capable talent through stronger institutional partnerships.
OhioGuidestone’s Workforce 360 model helps young adults and adults prepare for work through training, credentials, case management, career readiness, and hands-on support. Its programs connect participants to fields such as healthcare, construction, and manufacturing while supporting job placement, retention, and long-term career progress.
El Barrio offers short term credentials with hands on training, job readiness, supported employment, job retention and wrap around supports in English and Spanish. Employer partners inform the curriculum and hire graduates for long term success. The Centers offers primary care, community pharmacies, Gold Star rated Early Learning, and counseling at sites across Cuyahoga County.
Through the Hope Center, Building hope in the City offers a variety of classes that equip individuals with practical tools to navigate daily life and communicate effectively.
Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries offers vocational training, social enterprises and employment services for community members who face obstacles to the workforce.
Strategic partner
JPMorganChase invested $350,000 in a joint effort by Team NEO and the Greater Cleveland Partnership to build a business-led workforce upskilling strategy. Team NEO provides the data and accountability through Vibrant Economy Indicators 2.0 and this Workforce Ecosystem tool.
The tool maps some of the many partners, programs, and training models that standard site-selection data does not capture. With this fuller view, employers can plan hiring, training, and expansion around the full range of skilled workers available in Northeast Ohio.
Work with the ecosystem
Whether you're evaluating Northeast Ohio for a project, planning an expansion, or building a hiring strategy beyond the bachelor's pool, Team NEO can connect you to the partner network on this page — and to the regional research behind it.
