A city is only as strong as its workforce. Columbus, thanks to its relatively low cost of living, thriving entrepreneurial scene and ability to not only attract but retain top talent, has become an environment rich with opportunity for workers of all industries and trades.
The Columbus Region is the fastest growing metropolitan area in the Midwest and the 14th largest city in the country. It is home to powerhouse employers like Big Lots, L Brands and Cardinal Health, while serving as an optimal spot for entrepreneurs, attracting aspiring business owners from places like Silicon Valley and New York City.
The combination of a successful startup community with a bounty of established businesses makes our area fruitful for job seekers. In addition, many prospects of the future workforce will come from right here in the city, having fostered their professional networks well before attending their first interview.
Columbus is also home to a rich higher education landscape, drawing diverse talent from all over the world. Ohio State University alone received 52,427 freshman applicants in 2017, with 65 percent of those applicants falling in the top 10 percent of their high school class.
This leads to an economy spurred by recent accolades like the Smart City Challenge which will bring new jobs and improve the city’s mobility, and in return, enhance the attractiveness of Columbus to both its current and future workforce.
As businesses continue to invest in Columbus, such as global IT consulting firm Accenture who recently named the city a U.S. innovation hub, it will persist as a top city for tech growth, entrepreneurship and arts and culture employers.
And there are a number of local organizations committed to supporting the Central Ohio workforce like JobsOhio, Jewish Family Services and CleanTurn LLC.
The Columbus Chamber Foundation, in partnership with the United Way and Columbus State Community College, also strives to create greater opportunity for the region’s workforce through job readiness and preparation for the critical roles employers need to fill.
The Foundation will hold its first annual Play to Work event May 14, with all proceeds benefitting its education and workforce development efforts. Participants can register for a morning of golf or afternoon of tennis with a reception and dinner to follow.
To learn more about Play For Work, visit the Chamber’s website.
— The Columbus Chamber of Commerce offers news, information and other resources that are free and available to all businesses at columbus.org. —
