BATAVIA, Ohio (Feb. 25, 2022) — United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s Eastern Area staff has been tapped to serve on an advisory committee focused on workforce development in rural areas. 

UWGC’s Erika Yingling, director of the Eastern Area, and Marcie Langendorfer, manager of Success By 6^®, were asked to join the committee, which was formed by Mark Edwards, director of college and career readiness at Goshen High School, and the Clermont County Chamber of Commerce. 

The committee will work in conjunction with the GRIT Project, which encompasses 19 southern Ohio counties, including Clermont and Brown. GRIT’s website describes the project as “a collaborative approach to building a high-demand workforce and stimulating economic growth. The coalition leverages local, state and federal dollars by bringing organizations together such as Ohio Means Jobs, common pleas and drug courts, K-12 school systems, community colleges and universities, economic development agencies, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, drug treatment providers, businesses and other not-for-profit agencies.” 

According to the GRIT website, students and adults in the program participate in a career assessment followed by a one-on-one coaching session with a career specialist. Then a plan is developed to enroll participants in work skills training, if needed, and identify suitable jobs.