Tri-C President on Adapting to Fill Workforce Needs
Michael A. Baston highlights how Tri-C continues evolving to face regional challenges
The Northeast Ohio business community has much potential. It has companies looking to grow. It has a strong work ethic.
But the region’s businesses also face challenges, and many of them are related to skill and manpower. Businesses are facing a widening skills gap as they continuously search for the talent and training needed to grow their companies and add momentum to the region’s economy.
On top of that, the nature of training is always changing as technology continually alters the face of business.
Community colleges are a key link in the chain of skills and manpower. Students and companies both turn to institutions like Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) for training, upskilling and partnerships.
It’s why Tri-C has placed an emphasis on continuing to evolve to meet the demands of students looking to enter the workforce, employees looking to add to their skill sets, and businesses looking for a training partner.
In a recent op-ed in Crain’s Cleveland Business, Tri-C President Michael A. Baston, J.D., Ed.D., addressed the ongoing challenges facing local businesses and how Tri-C is adapting to help them face those challenges.
“Tri-C draws students from across the region, nation and globe, with 85% of our graduates living and working right here in Northeast Ohio,” Baston writes. “Our impact continues to grow as our Workforce, Community and Economic Development Division forges and strengthens partnerships with local companies to align our training programs with industry needs and prepares our students for the future of work.”
Baston noted the ways Tri-C benefits businesses and workers:
The College collaborates with industry stakeholders Tto identify workforce trends and help ensure the College’s curricula reflect employer needs.
The College helps assimilate gig workers into the region’s workforce as a labor resource. Tri-C took a deeper dive into the gig workforce in its 2023 report, The Gig Workforce Isn’t Just Delivering Dinner.
The College offers training for different industry sectors through its Corporate College® division.
The College supports entrepreneurs through its new Center for Entrepreneurs at Corporate College.
Baston called on members of the Northeast Ohio business community to join Tri-C to shape a brighter future for the region.
“We are at a moment where businesses and Tri-C can modernize Northeast Ohio’s workforce and drive economic growth,” he writes. “It’s time to meet that moment together.”
June 13, 2024
Media Contact: Anthony Moujaes, 216-987-3068 or anthony.moujaes@tri-c.edu