Driving Economic Mobility with Infrastructure Jobs: Insights from the Built Environment Collaborative in Ohio

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Jobs in construction, infrastructure, and transportation are growing rapidly, but too many go unfilled due to a shortage of trained workers. Exacerbating this shortage is the fact that certain communities have historically lacked access to these career pathways, creating lasting workforce gaps. 

In Cleveland, the local nonprofit workforce board, Greater Cleveland Works, is tackling this challenge through collective action. They've launched the Built Environment Collaborative (BEC), a powerful alliance of educators, community organizations, and industry leaders focused on expanding access to good jobs and closing critical labor shortages in the built environment sector. (The “built environment” refers to all the man-made spaces we live and work in, including homes, schools, roads, bridges, parks, water systems and more. These are the physical foundations of our communities, and building and maintaining them requires a skilled workforce.)

With strong backing from Mayor Justin M. Bibb, BEC is leveraging $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to help remove barriers that keep people from completing job training or entering the field. One key innovation is the Barrier Removal Fund, which helps with real-life needs that often derail someone's path to a stable career (e.g., lack of transportation, tools, and childcare). 
 

AIR's Partnership with Greater Cleveland Works

With support from AIR's Opportunity Fund, AIR forged an Innovation Learning Partnership with Greater Cleveland Works to accelerate learning of the BEC model and amplify its early impact. AIR developed a case study that captures insights from BEC partners and lessons learned after approximately two years of implementation.

In addition to sharing key findings, the case study demonstrates how an Innovation Learning Partnership can: 

• Strengthen program design (by facilitating data- and user-informed adjustments that leverage low-cost technology and behavioral interventions) and
• Flag long-term needs, such as changes in policies, programs, or collaboration structures that will help sustain growth. 

When communities invest together, remove barriers, and put data to work, they can unlock the talent needed to build a vibrant infrastructure.