In December, we were proud to host lieutenant governors from across the nation as they convened in Ohio to discuss the most pressing economic issues facing the nation. Unsurprisingly, a common theme throughout the event was workforce development and strategies for solving the worker shortage impacting businesses in every sector of the economy.
The location for the gathering – Cincinnati, in the heart of the Midwest – is no coincidence. Strengthening the nation’s economy requires a concerted focus on our so-called "heartland." One of the most innovative solutions in the nation aimed at solving this problem is right here: the Cincinnati Innovation District.
The district, which the state of Ohio and JobsOhio have replicated in Cleveland and Columbus, is actually based on a model that’s been relied upon throughout world history. From the Renaissance to the Industrial Revolution, it’s been proven that bringing together talent, diverse thinkers, educators and commerce into one place to solve problems is the magnet that drives innovation, talent and capital. These are the must-haves.
We are in a moment of transformation from a purely industrial economy to one that is technology-infused, and it is no different than the changes wrought during the most influential eras in history.
The physical intersection of industry, education, and people spurs innovation. Among those, it’s people that serve as our greatest resource, and it is people who benefit most from this collaboration. It is time to invest in this resource by creating the places for innovation and supplying the talent that all of America’s companies need in every industry.
This requires freshly minted graduates and educational programs for existing workers as well as the unemployed with the digital skills, knowledge and ability needed in today’s economy. Ohio already boasts more than 200 colleges and universities, but the state is also investing heavily in its existing workforce through innovative, in-demand programs like TechCred and the Individual Microcredential Assistance Program, both of which quickly give people the skills they need to compete in the digital economy at no cost to them.
Heartland Forward, a think tank based in Bentonville, Ark., cites in “Millennials Find New Hope In The Heartland” that “a critical advantage for the American economy is its geographical diversity, enabling the vast heartland to accommodate agriculture, energy and manufacturing production.”
Let’s celebrate our diversity of industry and use this model to supply all of them with the necessary talent to sustain their growth. No doubt, Ohio is uniquely positioned to be a national leader since it is just one day’s drive from 60% of the U.S. and Canadian populations. Today’s reality is that every company is a tech company, but not every individual is tech ready. We are on a course to correct the widening gap between the jobs available and the skills needed to fill them.
Producing and retaining talent has been at the core of the DeWine-Husted administration since the very beginning. The goal is to support efforts that will make Ohio the most innovative, entrepreneurial state in the Midwest. You don’t accomplish this goal from the statehouse; you accomplish it in collaboration with people who share your vision.
As a primary driver for talent attraction and development, the Cincinnati Innovation District has distinguished the region as a hub for a variety of companies that need talent. In doing so, it has become a model for Ohio and for cities across the nation.
Jon Husted is lieutenant governor of Ohio. David Adams is executive director of the Cincinnati Innovation District and chief innovation officer at the University of Cincinnati.
