CINCINNATI – October 30, 2024 –
Cincinnati, Ohio (October 30, 2024) – The Cincinnati Regional Chamber’s Workforce Innovation Center has released “Gen Z in the Workforce in the Cincinnati Region” presented by the Workforce Innovation Center Advisory Board. This report focuses on the perspective of members of Gen Z who are currently on the university track in addition to recent university graduates who have entered the workforce.
The report aims to provide insights into ways that employers in the Cincinnati region can better attract and retain Gen Z talent by detailing their impact on the regional workforce, exploring their core values and workplace preferences, and outlining what makes the Cincinnati region a destination to live and work in their eyes. This release is the first of two white papers that will be published on this topic.
“Gen Z’s impact on the workforce in the Cincinnati region cannot be overstated, and their contributions to our culture and workforce are critical to helping us grow,” said Brendon Cull, President & CEO of the Cincinnati Regional Chamber. “Using the insights found here through research, focus groups, and data, employers in the region can ensure that they’re prepared to welcome of this dynamic, diverse group.”
“Gen Z in the Workforce in the Cincinnati Region” compiles a review of data trends and firsthand perspectives gathered through a series of focus groups with Gen Z participants. Key findings of these efforts include:
• Gen Z is the second largest generation in the Cincinnati region, behind millennials, and 56 percent are college-age or employment-age.
• Gen Z is more diverse, racially and ethnically, than previous generations.
• The Cincinnati region successfully retains college graduates from local universities and draws them from other markets. The region is on par with peer cities for college graduates who leave for other cities.
• Gen Z values align with their compassionate and sensible nature. They place importance on social and environmental issues, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) and financial stability
• In the workplace, Gen Z prioritizes transparent communication, growth opportunities, and socialization
• The Cincinnati region is attractive to Gen Z individuals for its vibrant cultural scene, sense of community, growing economic climate, work opportunities, and relative affordability
“Our findings indicate that Gen Z has a deep affinity for the Cincinnati region, and it is vital that our employers understand their values and motivations,” said Audrey Treasure, Vice President & Executive Director, Workforce Innovation Center. “We recognize that employers’ ability to attract and retain Gen Z talent is critical to their own success and that of the region.”
In addition to insights and data from reports like this, employers and Gen Z talent can engage with the Cincinnati Regional Chamber and Workforce Innovation Center in a number of ways. Its Leadership Center’s CINC (Cincinnati Intern Network Connection) and early career leadership classes such as Cincy Next are two such programs. The Workforce Innovation Center offers employer-specific support to help create vibrant workplace cultures through the Employee Survey: Life Dimensions Assessment, customized employee focus groups led by experts in workforce development and best-in-class workplace policy recommendations that are geared to this generation. For more information, visit cincinnatichamber.com.
“These and other cutting-edge programs advanced by the Workforce Innovation Center and the Cincinnati Chamber will only continue to help our region grow. As part of the WIC Advisory Board, we know that the region and our companies must evolve. The Center’s work and this report are leading the way in supporting companies to attract and retain talent in our region.” said Karen Cooper, WIC Advisory Board Member and Retired CEO, OneBridge.
The research for the second report in this series focuses on members of Gen Z who did not pursue a four-year degree is currently underway.
To download the report, visit https://workforceinnovationcenter.com/.
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About the Cincinnati Regional Chamber
The Cincinnati Regional Chamber is the premier business and civic organization dedicated to growing the vibrancy and economic prosperity of the Cincinnati region. To achieve its vision that Cincinnati is a growing, thriving region where everyone belongs, the Chamber seeks to grow our economy, grow our population, and grow our cultural vibrancy – with the foundation of a strong business community – to foster a welcoming environment for all. The Chamber’s membership offerings, signature leadership programs, government and regional advocacy efforts, community events such as BLINK and Oktoberfest as well as key partnerships with organizations like Cincinnati Experience, Cincinnati Compass, Cincinnati Minority Business Accelerator, and the Workforce Innovation Center lead the way in making that vision a reality.
About the Workforce Innovation Center
The Workforce Innovation Center at the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber is a talent consulting practice that creates mutually beneficial solutions with positive outcomes for both employers and employees. Our approach addresses employers’ most pressing workforce and human resources-related needs that enable them to make data-driven decisions about how to best attract, retain, engage and advance employees. Our offerings include consulting services, a career board and benefits/perks page, partnership with more than 80 workforce and talent organizations in the region, and the Women of Color in Tech initiative. The Workforce Innovation Center’s mission is to drive companies to adopt inclusive practices that empower employees and fuel businesses, enabling communities to thrive and our vision is that the Cincinnati region is a beacon of inclusion and engagement for employees resulting in long-term financial success, innovation and sustainability for its employers, and thereby, the community. For more information, visit www.workforceinnovationcenter.com.
Media Contact:
Amy Fitzgibbons, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Cincinnati Regional Chamber afitzgibbons@cincinnatichamber.com | 513.579.3106
Audrey Treasure, VP & Executive Director, Workforce Innovation Center
atreasure@cincinnatichamber.com | 513.686.2946
