Sunday, May 02, 1999
Regional workforce meeting planned
Creation of program to be discussed
BY DAN KLEPAL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Training people with the skills they need to leave welfare behind may soon have a distinctly regional flair.
A meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. May 17 at the Sharonville Convention Center to discuss the creation of a region-wide workforce development board.
The meeting is expected to be attended by commissioners from Hamilton, Warren, Butler and Clermont counties, as well as representatives of the city of Cincinnati.
The idea might eventually grow into government-sponsored training for people who already have jobs, so they can move up the employment food chain and open opportunities for lower-skilled people.
Two Hamilton County commissioners attended regional meetings this week that discussed the idea of creating a workforce development program with federal dollars, which would train the unskilled and semi- skilled all over southwest Ohio.
Hamilton County Commissioner John Dowlin said counties soon will be graded on how well they get people off their welfare roles. But there is a responsibility to do more, he said.
“We should not limit ourselves,” Mr. Dowlin said. “We've got to get going with a plan. And it has to be more than just welfare-to-work.”
Commissioner Bob Bedinghaus, who met with city of Cincinnati officials Tuesday, said the first step will be to recognize a geographical area of cities and counties that want to work to gether.
“Jobs and unemployed people don't know any political boundaries,” Mr. Bedinghaus said.
The commissioners would like to see the creation of a board, made up of business and governmental leaders, that would create and administer training programs.
Mr. Dowlin said next month's meeting could be the first step.
“Once we decide on a geographic area, then the board should be driven by the Chamber of Commerce,” Mr. Dowlin said. “But government certainly would be involved.”
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