CLEVELAND — A new way of attracting talent to Cleveland has arrived.
The formation of the Cleveland Talent Alliance was announced on Thursday morning by Destination Cleveland. The new alliance features 11 non-profit public and private entities that will work together to identify, attract, navigate, engage and welcome the best talent in Cleveland while also working to make sure the talent stays here, too.
Officials say the focus will initially be on the technology, finance, healthcare and smart manufacturing sectors.
“For the Cleveland region to become one of the fastest growing and most diverse, inclusive and welcoming metro areas in the Midwest by 2030, it is essential to attract and retain talent in a distinct and coordinated way,” David Gilbert, president and CEO of Destination Cleveland, said. “Research combined with previous efforts – including Engage! Cleveland’s Discover the CLE campaign – show that audiences are open to considering Cleveland after being introduced to the region. By leveraging the strongest capabilities of all partners, we can be more efficient and effective in achieving our goals. Our business and civic community must collaborate to attract talent to increase our region’s growth.”
The members of the alliance include Destination Cleveland, Greater Cleveland Partnership, Cleveland Leadership Center, Team NEO, Cuyahoga Count, Engage! Cleveland, JobsOhio, Global Cleveland, MAGNET, Fund for our Economic Future and Cleveland Neighborhood Progress.
The initial focus for the Cleveland Talent Alliance is to build the operating model while identifying key strategies and developing key performance indicators. As time moves on, the goals will be to generate interest in Cleveland as a city to live and work and to welcome newcomers and increase retention rate of current and new residents. The ultimate goal is to help Cleveland become one of the fastest growing and most diverse metro areas in the Midwest by 2030.
“A critical component of the Alliance’s work will be engaging those who are here so they can’t imagine leaving,” said Marianne Crosley, president and CEO of Cleveland Leadership Center. “With so many students seeking degrees in greater Cleveland, we have an audience that already has some firsthand experience here; the Alliance will look to strengthen those experiences through programs that immerse students in the local professional and civic arenas. Additionally, we have a talented legion of young professionals who represent the future of community leadership – the time is now to help them connect with and develop unbreakable ties to Cleveland.”
Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in an unrelated story on March 9, 2022.
