Aligning Next-Gen talent: Preparing Today for Tomorrow’s Opportunities
This morning, Team NEO released the ninth edition of its Aligning Opportunities report, a resource to aid in addressing the demand and supply imbalance in the region’s workforce. The report is produced in partnership with Delta Dental and with the generous support from Deaconess Foundation, Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland & East Central Ohio, PNC, Sherwin-Williams, and Swagelok.
This year’s report, unveiled at an event attended by more than 250 people at Stillwater Place in the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, is centered on K-12 and under-24 workforce pipeline with an emphasis on students gaining earlier exposure to career pathways through work-based learning experiences and the vital soft skills needed in the workforce.
“We won’t grow our way out of the talent shortage — we have to build our way out,” said Jacob Duritsky, Team NEO’s Vice President of Strategy, Research and Talent. “Because young people can’t pursue what they can’t see, we need to give them real-world experiences that help them discover the opportunities right here in the Northeast Ohio Region.”
The report also incorporates insights from four focus groups featuring companies with extensive experience in work-based learning programs. During the event, Lee Fisher, President of Baldwin Wallace University moderated a panel discussion with representatives from several of these companies.
To illustrate how different generations approach work, students from Baldwin Wallace University’s Theatre and Dance programs presented a series of vignettes highlighting the mutual value of intergenerational collaboration—where younger professionals offer technology insights, while experienced colleagues share strategic guidance and growth opportunities.
To download the full 2025 Aligning Opportunities report, Aligning Next-Gen Talent: Preparing Today for Tomorrow’s Opportunities, click here.
About Team NEO
Team NEO is a private, nonprofit economic development organization that ignites economic vibrancy, fosters sustainable growth, and champions equitable prosperity. As a designated JobsOhio Network Partner, we collaborate across all 14 counties in the Northeast Ohio Region to create strategies to attract and retain companies, drive innovation, cultivate a skilled workforce, advance market-ready sites, and promote and engage the region. To learn how Team NEO helps make Northeast Ohio more competitive, visit northeastohioregion.com.