Tri-C's Workforce Innovation Division To Align Student Training With Evolving Workforce Landscape

Formerly Workforce, Community and Economic Development, new name reflects College's impact as region's innovative leader in workforce training

As today's workforce continues to rapidly shift, workforce education must continue to innovate to meet the needs of students, businesses and industries.

That is why, effective immediately, Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) will change the name of its Workforce, Community and Economic Development (WCED) division to the Workforce Innovation division.

The name change better reflects the College's impact on the regional economy as an innovative leader in workforce training. The new name also aligns with the strategic goal implemented by Tri-C President Michael A. Baston, J.D., Ed.D., to create and advance a Collegewide culture of clarity.

In addition, this name more accurately describes the current workforce services, resources and impact that Tri-C provides to employees and employers in Northeast Ohio.

Tri-C is a forward-thinking educational institution that prepares students with up-to-date and comprehensive training and credentials, allowing them to enter the workforce with the skills to succeed. The College is also the training partner of choice for numerous employers across the region, providing them with a talent pipeline filled with skilled, workforce-ready employees.

The name "Workforce Innovation" embodies the College's commitment to creating and expanding programs that prepare area residents to enter constantly changing and evolving industries as new technologies emerge.

"Workforce innovation speaks not just to established businesses but also to startups, entrepreneurs and emerging business models," said Shana Marbury, J.D., Tri-C's executive vice president of Workforce Innovation. "Our division's new name helps demonstrate Tri-C's focus on the future of Northeast Ohio and how we are positioning ourselves to help this region move forward."

In addition to being a more recognized and modern naming convention in colleges and universities across the country, the term "workforce innovation" focuses on strategic priorities like access for all students, technology and skill-based education. It clearly signals that an institution such as Tri-C is meeting the present and future demands of students and businesses.

Here is a look at what Tri-C's Workforce Innovation division offers:

Workforce Academies

To better serve students, the Workforce Innovation division will also transition to a student-centric structure that aligns noncredit programs and some related credit-bearing programs into academies that will launch July 1. Each academy will provide clear pathways that lead to quicker attainment of credentials and continue toward earning a degree and gaining professional development.

The Workforce Academies will align with the College's workforce offerings:

• Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Academy
• Construction Academy
• Health Industry Solutions Training Academy
• Public Safety Training Academy
• Transportation and Logistics Training Academy

Each academy will provide a steppingstone to academic and career achievement while ensuring that degrees and credentials meet the needs of local employers.

Students will be assigned to an academy when they enroll and receive more personalized career guidance, attention and academic support.

Innovative programs

Tri-C's Workforce Innovation division offers more than 60 programs taught by seasoned instructors. The College has also built and launched multiple innovative programs to train and prepare students for the future of work:

• The College introduced its first bachelor's degree in Fall 2024, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Integrated Digital Manufacturing Engineering Technology (IDMET), often referred to as "smart manufacturing." Workforce Innovation partnered with the School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering and Computer Science on the launch of the degree program.
• Tri-C received a $658,000 grant from the Ohio Governor's Office of Workforce Transformation to launch its Utility Technician program and serve as the designated training location for the 16-county Northeast Ohio region. The program offers certification and was accredited to begin offering an associate degree beginning in Fall 2025.
• An online EV technician program began in Spring 2024 with flexible learning options to address the growing need for skilled technicians.

Center for the Future of Work

To better serve students, employer partners and the larger community, Tri-C will launch the Center for the Future of Work to amplify its many workforce-centric resources already offered across the College. The center will conduct research, develop faculty and student skills, shape policies, foster innovation, and raise public awareness to help individuals and the community thrive in the ever-evolving world of work and encourage their participation in the regional economy.
 
Learn more on Tri-C's Workforce Innovation division web page.

April 17, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT: Anthony Moujaes, 216-987-3068 or anthony.moujaes@tri-c.edu