Cincinnati Graduate, Employer Partners, and Managing Director Featured on IAWP Conference Panel

The International Association of Workforce Professionals held its 105th conference this past June to discuss the latest trends and information relative to workforce professionals. Currently, the United States is trying out for solutions to its growing jobs crisis. Many adults—particularly individuals with no more than a high school education—struggle to obtain and maintain jobs that pay enough to support their families and permit upward mobility. At the same time, some employers report difficulty finding employees with the right skills to meet their needs.

Per Scholas had the opportunity to screen“Solutions to America’s Workforce Crisis,” produced and directed by the What Works Media Project. Through the stories and experiences of students, program leadership, employees, and employers, the audience was  brought to a shared understanding of what makes training models like Per Scholas successful as well as the potential for positive impact made possible by investing in working models.

Following the film, Jason Skidmore, Per Scholas Advisory Board Member and CEO of Vernovis, led and moderated panel discussion on employer-facing job training, the value of cross-sector collaboration, and using evidence to drive innovation. Panelists included Lauren Moore, Software Quality Analyst, Thrive Impact Sourcing; Leslie Courtney, Senior Director, Kroger; Jordan Vogel, Vice President, Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce; and Paul Cashen, Managing Director, Per Scholas.

The panel discussed a myriad of topics, including the value that Per Scholas training provides to its students, the importance of providing a diverse workforce and the value hiring and community partners.

The panel also highlighted the commitment companies like Kroger and institutions like the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce have pledged to developing the Cincinnati Community.

We’d like to thank all of the panelist and attendees of the panel, and look forward to being a staple in the workforce development community of Cincinnati.