Partnerships that Work for You

Employment Connection is the brand name of the local public workforce system.  Funding for the system comes from the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998. The WIA sought to create an employment and training system which would increase the productivity and competitiveness of employers by enhancing the work and ‘soft’ skills of job seekers.   The system operates on a  One-Stop philosophy whereby all services are available at, or accessible through, the One-Stop Career Centers.

Employment Connection is governed by the Workforce Investment Board – a policy and oversight body which designates the One-Stop Operator, plans and approves programming to serve the primary audiences and provides fiscal oversight and guidance.   By federal legislation the composition of the Workforce Investment Board must have a majority business representatives and include representatives from  education providers, labor organizations, community- based organizations (including those representing disabled veterans), economic development agencies, and each of the "One- Stop" partners. It may include other representatives determined appropriated by local elected officials

The WIA legislation designates mandated partner agencies that must participate in some way in the One-Stop system, including the Department of Labor, the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

By making available the combined, valuable resources of this One-Stop partnership Employment Connection is making available the best possible service to employers and job seekers looking to find employment success.

The following are links to your local One-Stop Partner Agencies. 

WIA Mandated Partners

• Cuyahoga County Department of Workforce Development
• City of Cleveland Workforce Development Division
• AARP
• Cleveland Metropolitan School District
• Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland (CEOGC)
• Cuyahoga Community College
• Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA)
• Employment & Family Services
• Job Corps Ohio
• National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, Inc.
• Mature Services
• Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS)
• Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission (ORSC)
• Parma City School District

Additional Partners

• The United Labor Agency
• The City of Cleveland Department of Aging
• The City of Cleveland Department of Economic Development
• The City of Cleveland Empowerment Zone Office
• Cleveland State University-Division of Continuing Education
• The Cuyahoga County Department of Development