As we kick-off the Cleveland|Cuyahoga Co. Workforce Leadership Academy with the Opening Retreat this week, I’ve been reflecting a lot on what I hope the Fellows will walk away with from this almost year-long endeavor. Below are my top 5 (in no particular order):
1) Comprehensive Ecosystem. I hope Fellows, and by extension the community, expand their thinking about what a workforce ecosystem really is—the types of organizations, collaborations included; what new leaders with new ideas bring; how job-seekers and workers can be equal members of the ecosystem, etc. I hope Fellows walk away recognizing we are all part of the future of workforce development.
2) Connections: I hope Fellows learn to connect systems and policy to the work that happens in the community—in the field—all day, every day, year round. How do we connect those who have the time and space to do high-level thinking about systems and policy to those who connect with communities and deliver services? How do we authentically connect with stakeholders for input into programs and policy? How can we learn from each other?
3) Racial Equity: Our community has a lot of statements about race/racism, learning groups, equity goals, trainings etc. and we have elevated racism as a systemic issue. I think we sometimes forget we are all actors in these systems and we make decisions and choices each day that can either be anti-racist or perpetuate white-dominant norms. It is long past time to directly address racism in workforce development systems and practices. I hope the Academy offers Fellows an opportunity to consider how their individual actions, approaches, and choices can advance systemic racial equity and inclusion.
4) Elevation of the Field: I hope Fellows begin to really claim their role in the workforce development ecosystem. While we work to build capacity for others, we need to build capacity within ourselves and acknowledge that the field exists well beyond any one stakeholder group, program, or funding stream. I hope Fellows have the time to truly think about their vision for the future of workforce development in our community.
5) Balance: While I have my hopes about what will come from this work, the Academy is for the Fellows. I hope Fellows get what they seek (as reflected in the word cloud created from their hopes for the Academy): collaboration, connection, community. growth, empowerment, hope. We have leaders with a wide range of experience and perspective who are committed to learning, gaining insight, and innovating. They give me hope.
Thank you to funders and community partners for their investment of time and resources into the Academy and to the 24 Fellows who will lead future change in strengthening the workforce ecosystem.
