Northeast Ohio working to align worker training with high-demand available jobs: Report

The gap between in-demand jobs and the skilled workers available to fill them remains an issue for Northeast Ohio employers.

Team Northeast Ohio or Team NEO, a business development organization, looked at the holistic employment landscape in a recently released report, “Aligning Opportunities.”  It is the fifth year for the report. According to Team NEO, while progress is being made in training and certification, the region still has an imbalance in terms of supply and demand when it comes to jobs and available workers.

By the year 2025 it is estimated that 65% of Ohio’s workforce will need to have a 2- or 4-year degree, or certified marketable skill.   

According to the report, the region needs more skilled workers and the gap is largest for openings in manufacturing, information technology and healthcare.

The report comes as we close out 2021 and look to begin 2022 with the pandemic still very much present.  The long-reaching impact of the pandemic on work and work culture remains to be seen but already it has has been a disruptive and change-making force both for workers and employers.    

Jacob Duritsky, the Vice President of Strategy and Research for Team NEO discusses the Aligning Opportunities report.

A decision on the City of Cleveland’s proposed financial rescue of Shaker Square will not come untio 2022.

Cleveland City Council held its final meeting of the year this week and did not bring the plan to a vote.  The proposal would require the city putting up 12-million to pay off the current owner’s mortgage debt.  The Burten Bell Carr Development Corporation and Cleveland Neighborhood Progress would take possession of the property and find a new owner.

Shaker Square is the oldest planned shopping district in Ohio. It is located on the east side of the city in the Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood.

Ideastream Public Media Senior Reporter, Nick Castele discussed the future of Shaker Square and the incoming council and mayoral administration.

Jacob Duritsky, Vice President, Strategy & Research, Team NEO  
Nick Castele, Senior Reporter, Ideastream Public Media