Following is a guest post by Melissa Heninger, Senior Human Resources Generalist at Cincinnati Incorporated. Greater Harrison Chamber members are invited to share their expertise. Contact the Chamber to learn more.
Connecting with the future workforce was the topic of our January 2026 Greater Harrison Chamber Member Meeting, where leaders from Southwest Local School District shared how strong partnerships with local businesses are helping students step confidently into the workforce.
A School District and Chamber Partnership Connects People to Opportunities
Workforce development is a key component in our Chamber’s mission: promoting growth and prosperity. Our forums with local business leaders and school district officials have led to the creation of new career pathways and credential programs at Harrison High School over the years. In fact, the school district was presented the Chamber’s Greater Harrison Innovator of the Year award in 2022 for applying feedback and available opportunities that set more students up for success.
In 2021, the Chamber responded to employer needs by partnering with Southwest Local Schools to launch the inaugural Harrison Job Fair. The event expanded on the district’s successful career day for students by allowing adult job seekers to meet with the employers after the school day ended. The job fair helps clear hurdles and connect people to opportunities for full time or part time work. Free childcare is provided on-site by National Honor Society members and transportation is offered by Celebrate Recovery at Church on Fire.
For details about the Harrison Job Fair March 5, 2026, click here.
Southwest Local Schools Makes Strides in Preparing Students for Success
Assistant Superintendent Corinne Hayes highlighted the district’s collaboration with the Greater Cincinnati Business Advisory Council, a partnership focused on developing professional skills and real-world career exposure for students. The council serves as a bridge between classrooms and the business community, creating opportunities for mentorship, job shadowing, and career exploration.
Southwest Local Schools’ commitment to workforce readiness is already producing results. Principal Joe Pollit announced the district earned a five-star rating on the Ohio State Report Card for graduation readiness for the Class of 2024, 86 percent of seniors meeting criteria to reflect readiness for college, career, military, or workforce. Southwest Local Schools was the only district in Southwest Ohio, and the largest graduating class in the state to receive this distinction.
Readiness goes beyond just test scores. Students can earn recognition through industry recognized credentials, college credits, apprenticeships, and work-based learning experiences that connect education to practical application.
A New Opportunity for Employers to Connect with High School Students
For employers, this approach to readiness presents a chance to connect with students to develop our future workforce, share industry insight, and begin shaping the workforce we will rely on tomorrow.
Andrew Schlager, Career Connector at Harrison High School, introduced one of the key tools to supporting this partnership, LinkedUp Connect. LinkedUp Connect is a platform designed to connect high school students with local employers and allow these businesses to engage with students in various ways, from short virtual conversations to job shadows, presentations, or work-based learning experiences.
For businesses, LinkedUp Connect offers a chance to build early relationships with future talent. For students, it provides exposure to career paths they may not have previously considered, along with valuable insight into workplace expectations and professional skills.
The message is clear: when schools and businesses work together, students gain clarity, confidence, and a stronger foundation for success, and the community and businesses benefit from a growing, well-prepared local workforce.
About the Contributor: Liss Heninger
Melissa Heninger, Senior Human Resources Generalist at Cincinnati Incorporated, is a board member for Greater Harrison Chamber of Commerce and a “champion” for the Chamber’s workforce development strategy. Melissa has nearly a decade of human resources experience in the automotive and food production industries. Locally she has served on the “front lines” as Human Resources and Safety Supervisor for Smithfield’s “Fresh Sausage Specialists” facility in Harrison. Melissa earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems from Indiana University East. She is a native to the westside of Cincinnati and resides in Bright with her family.
