Marano Fellows Class of 2014
Name: Stephen D. Tucker
Title:

Senior Manager of Industry Partnerships

Organization:

Partners for a Competitive Workforce

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Industry Sector: Advanced Manufacturing & Construction

Organizational Background & Mission: Partners for a Competitive Workforce is a partnership in the Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana tri-state region focused on meeting employer demand by growing the skills of our current and future workforce. Our partners include businesses, workforce investment boards, chambers of commerce, educational institutions, labor, service providers and philanthropic funders. Our Vision: Employers have the talent they need to compete, and people have the skills they need to get good jobs and advance in their careers.

Interest in Sector Work: Our region’s long-term economic success depends on our ability to grow a qualified workforce. Businesses increasingly need higher skilled workers to compete, and workers need skills and preparation to secure well-paying jobs and advance in their careers. Advanced Manufacturing and Construction are growing industries within our region and provides a large source of private-sector employment with competitive wages, outstanding benefits and advancement opportunities. Occupations in Advanced Manufacturing and Construction require highly technical and high skilled individuals yet both industries suffer from a negative image held by youth and their parents, so few are encouraged to pursue careers in these sectors. My interest in this work comes from my desire to be a catalyst for positive change where my work can impact the quality of the region’s workforce as well as create life changing opportunities for others.