On this website you will find information about the Toledo Region Talent Alignment Strategy, a workforce development initiative led by the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce and several community partners. The Talent Alignment Strategy aims to align education and workforce efforts with the needs of employers to ensure that the region has a robust talent pipeline for years to come.
Talent availability is the leading location factor for companies today, and Toledo's growing economy has translated into greater demand for workers in industries from technology to manufacturing to healthcare to hospitality. The most prosperous communities are those developing comprehensive and collaborative strategies to address talent development, reengagement, retention, and recruitment.
To meet these challenges, the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce initiated a Talent Alignment Strategy for the Toledo Region to ensure education and workforce development efforts are aligned with the needs of employers. The Strategy was created by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and Avalanche Consulting.
The approach involves two phases: A Workforce Supply & Demand Analysis followed by a Program Inventory & Alignment Strategy.
The Workforce Supply & Demand Analysis examined greater Toledo’s workforce supply and demand. It started by examining the workforce composition by occupations and skills – looking at current conditions and long-term demand trajectories. Next, the team compiled college graduate data by degree majors that the Toledo Region is collectively producing. The team compared the output of graduates to job openings, enabling identification and measurement of the extent of over- or under-supply of graduates for specific field, industries, and skills.
The Program Inventory & Alignment Strategy examined region-wide skills development assets at colleges and universities, as well as non-academic and community-based providers who address different industry needs. This component of the project delved deeper into how Toledo addresses particular specializations within its target industries, and how the providers ensure that the learners receive the guidance and support that maximizes engagement and success in the programs, and competitiveness in the target industries.
The Talent Analysis determines the makeup of the region’s labor force and identifies the industries and occupations that are thriving. This report serves to construct a baseline analysis of the Toledo Region’s demographics and an analysis of the trends in the workforce and education infrastructure pipeline, including the supply of graduates in the Toledo Region.
The Supply-Demand Gap Analysis identifies which skills the workforce currently has, which skills employers need, and how to fill in gaps in the workforce pipeline. This report reviews the growing industry and occupation clusters and provides a comprehensive inventory of all education and training assets in the region. Using this inventory, this report will include a supply, demand and program gap analysis as it relates to gaps in humans and educational programs.
The Talent Alignment Strategy provides recommendations on how to align and improve the region’s talent pipeline. The strategy includes high level goals for developing, retaining, and attracting talent within the region. These goals include several strategy recommendations for action, tactics to be deployed across the region and talent development systems, as well as a high-level implementation plan to guide strategic activity.
Toledo Region Labor Shed Analysis & Occupational Profiles
The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, serving a membership of over 2,300 businesses, fosters economic growth and prosperity in the Toledo Region by ADVOCATING for a thriving business environment, LEADING the charge to attract and retain talent in the region and CONNECTING business with resources and opportunities for growth. Our member businesses range in size from small, one-person, operations to large corporations employing thousands. The membership is supported by the Chamber's certified and professional staff, which carries out the organization's initiatives. Learn more about The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The Lucas County Workforce Development Board delivers innovative workforce solutions to businesses and job seekers to accelerate regional economic growth and individual prosperity. Their vision is to create a region with economic prosperity through a diverse, trained, career-ready workforce that addresses the current and future needs of individuals and businesses. Learn more about the Lucas County Workforce Development Board.
The City of Toledo was founded in 1833, the city of Toledo is located in northwest Ohio at the western shore of Lake Erie and borders the state of Michigan. The Toledo metropolitan area has a population of approximately 651,000, which makes it the fourth most populous city in the state of Ohio. The city offers a wide array of cultural opportunities including a world-class art museum, a symphony orchestra, outstanding metro parks, a renowned zoo and a casino. Learn more about the City of Toledo.
The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority’s business is transportation and development. That business is shaped by their mission to move people and cargo through the region while employing innovative programs to stimulate development in our region. Founded in 1955, The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority was the first port authority in Ohio. Today, they focus on three initiatives - Maritime, Aviation and Development. Learn more about the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority.
Toledo Community Foundation is the community foundation serving the Toledo region, including northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan with a particular emphasis on the greater Toledo area. Since 1973, Toledo Community Foundation has worked with individuals, families and businesses, assisting them in making effective choices that match their philanthropic interests and needs while creating a better community for generations to come. Learn more about the Toledo Community Foundation.
The Wood County Economic Development Commission was founded in 1993, the Wood County Economic Development Commission (WCEDC) is one of the more successful economic development organizations in the State of Ohio. Learn more about the Wood County Economic Development Commission.
The Fulton County Economic Development Corporation works hard to ensure economic viability through cultivating a favorable business environment, systematic attraction of new businesses, creating opportunities for current business (retention & expansion) and strategic utilization of the community's education/training resources. Learn more about the Fulton County Economic Development Corporation.
The University of Toledo was established in 1872, The University of Toledo is a national, public research university where students obtain a world-class education and become part of a diverse community of leaders committed to improving the human condition in the region and the world. Learn more about the University of Toledo.
Bowling Green State University was established in 1910, Bowling Green State University provides educational experiences inside and outside the classroom that enhance the lives of students, faculty and staff. Students are prepared for lifelong career growth, lives of engaged citizenship and leadership in a global society. Learn more about Bowling Green State University.
Penta Career Center is a Public Vocational High School and Adult Education center located in Perrysburg Township that opened in 1965. It serves 16 school districts from the five counties of Fulton, Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Wood, hence the name "Penta." Learn more about Penta Career Center.
Owens Community College has served Northwest Ohio since 1965 as an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education with an open-door admission policy. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as at the Owens Community College Learning Center Maumee and the Owens Community College Learning Center Downtown Toledo. Learn more about Owens Community College.
The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) is a national, non-profit organization whose mission is to put meaningful learning, credentials and work within reach for every community. CAEL works to remove policy and organizational barriers to learning opportunities, identifies and disseminates effective practices, and delivers value-added services. Since its founding in 1974, CAEL has been providing colleges and universities, companies, economic development organizations, labor organizations and state and local governments with the tools and strategies they need for creating practical, effective lifelong learning solutions to address long term skills needs. Learn more about CAEL.
Avalanche Consulting is the nation's premier economic development strategist. Avalanche is deeply driven to make a positive impact and seek clients who are equally inspired to energize their economies. Headquartered in Austin, Avalanche was established in 2005 and its team has a combined 80+ years of experience. Avalanche’s clients include the best performing economies in the country, from towns like Provo, Estes Park, and Sarasota, to metros like Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Columbus, Houston, Miami, and Oklahoma City. Learn more about Avalanche Consulting.
Jeff Schaaf, Talent Attraction Manager
Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce
(419) 243-8191
jeff.schaaf@toledochamber.com
Sarah Miller, Associate VP, Workforce & Economic Development
CAEL
(312) 499-2672
smiller@cael.org
Chris Engle, Principal
Avalanche Consulting
(512) 695-0100
chris@avalancheconsulting.com
