Committee advances $500,000 award to local workforce board to continue job-training scholarship program

The Education, Environment & Sustainability Committee on Feb. 19 voted to advance resolution 202548, recommending the award of up to $500,000 to the Cleveland–Cuyahoga County Workforce Development Board (doing business as Greater Cleveland Works) to continue administering Component 1 of the Cuyahoga County Educational Assistance Program (EAP).

Laura Chalker, chief operating officer for Greater Cleveland Works, said the board—now a nonprofit effective July 1, 2024—administers job training and retraining scholarships of up to $5,000 per eligible county resident, with training periods capped at 18 months and priority for participants with greater financial need. Chalker reported that in 2024 the program provided scholarships to 92 individuals and obligated just under $425,000 in individual training accounts, with 57% of those awards in the health-care sector, 13% in information technology and about 3% in manufacturing.

Members pressed on provider vetting, the two-step eligibility process, placement-rate expectations (Chalker said an expected placement rate is about 75% for completers) and recruitment strategies for underrepresented communities; Chalker said marketing includes social media, county website postings and outreach through the One-Stop Center at 1910 Carnegie and that waiting lists exist. The committee approved advancing the resolution out of committee for second reading by unanimous voice vote.