Preliminary Southeast Ohio Industry & Employer Convening on Global Workforce Readiness

The OHIO School of International Studies and Languages and Office of Global Affairs are pleased to announce the preliminary Southeast Ohio Industry & Employer Convening on Global Workforce Readiness on Monday, June 23, from noon to 5 p.m. at Ohio University.
 

This event is a half-day gathering that brings together key regional employers and corporate partners, job creation entities, workforce development organizations, and university representation and leadership to explore how global workforce development can drive economic vitality in Southeast Ohio.
 

• Align with Industry Needs: Identify the global competencies, experiences, and skills that employers seek in OHIO graduates—particularly in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, health care, energy, logistics, IT, and financial services—and explore how international education can help meet these demands.
   
• Explore Workforce Partnerships: Discuss how OHIO can serve as a strategic partner to industry by providing global insights, customized intercultural training, translation and localization services, and international talent pipelines through internships and capstone projects.
   
• Share the University’s Vision and Value: Present OHIO’s commitment to workforce readiness through international studies and language education. Highlight current efforts and imagine new models of collaboration between academia and industry to prepare students for global careers, support regional development, and grow Ohio’s competitiveness in international markets.

This gathering is a first step toward building stronger, mutually beneficial partnerships between OHIO and employers with global connections—foreign-owned businesses, multinational companies, and Ohio-based companies engaged in international markets.
 

Tentative Schedule

Noon - 12:45 p.m. Networking Lunch & Welcome Remarks
 

• Informal networking over lunch
• Brief introduction by OHIO leadership
• Overview of the convening’s objectives and anticipated outcomes
   

12:45 - 1:15 p.m. Keynote: Global Workforce Trends & Southeast Ohio’s Role
 

• Speaker from a key state agency or a multinational company in Ohio
• Discussion on the importance of global skills for economic growth
   

1:15 - 2:15 p.m. Session 1: Industry Needs – Preparing Graduates for Global Careers
 

• Roundtable discussion with industry representatives
• What international skills and competencies are needed from university graduates?
• How can OHIO align its curriculum and programs to meet these needs?
   

2:15 - 2:30 p.m. Break
 

2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Session 2: OHIO as a Resource – International Training & Support for Industry
 

• What intercultural competencies, translation services, or global trainings do businesses need?
• How can OHIO serve as a partner for workforce development and global business support?
   

3:30 - 4:15 p.m. Session 3: Strengthening Industry-University Partnerships
 

• Presentation from OHIO on what we can offer
• Discussion on creating structured internship and hiring pipelines
• Identifying next steps for collaboration
   

4:15 - 5 p.m. Closing Discussion & Next Steps
 

• Recap of key takeaways
• Identifying concrete action points
• Invitation for continued engagement in fall 2025 and beyond
   

5 - 6:30 p.m. Informal Reception at Jackie O’s
 

Please Contact School of International Studies and Languages Director Haley Duschinski <duschins@ohio.edu> and Interim Associate Provost of Global Affairs Dr. Gillian Ice for more information.