Held at MAGNET’s Manufacturing Innovation, Technology and Job Center, the event brought together county leaders, educators, employers, nonprofit partners, and program graduates to mark this achievement through the Cuyahoga County Manufacturing Sector Partnership (MSP). The energy in the room was electric - it was a celebration of lives changed, companies strengthened, and communities transformed. Speakers at the celebration included Cuyahoga County Excutive Chris Ronayne, Councilman Martin Sweeney, who brought greetings on behalf of County Council, Councilwoman Stephanie Howse-Jones, Michelle Rose, CEO of Greater Cleveland Works, Geoff Lipnevicus of Lincoln Electric, Patrick Einloth of Morrison Products, Jill Rizika, President and CEO of Towards Employment, Cathy Belk, President & CEO of Deaconess Foundation, LaShawn Thomas of Cleveland Metropolitan School District and MAGNET's Summer Manufacturing Academy, and Stephen Lovass, MAGNET Board Chair.
“This celebration is about much more than numbers,” said Ethan Karp, MAGNET President and CEO. “It’s about real people who have found stability, opportunity, and purpose through manufacturing.”
Take Elijah, for example. When Elijah Gilmore joined MAGNET’s Early College, Early Career (ECEC) program, he didn’t have a clear path forward. But completing the 18-month pre-apprenticeship program and gaining hands-on experience at Lincoln Electric gave him more than just job skills—it gave him confidence, purpose, and a plan. Now a full-time powder painter, Elijah is buying his first car, saving for an apartment, and working toward a welding certification. “I love when I come in here and I see my coworkers and get things going,” he said. “ [Working here] helps me want to reach bigger goals and set bigger goals for myself."
Backed by a $5 million investment from Cuyahoga County over the past three years, the MSP has created ripple effects that go far beyond individual job placements. With an average starting wage of $38,000 for new hires, these jobs are generating more than $2 million in annual income and tax revenue for the County.
“This is a win for our workers, for their families, for our employers—and for the community,” said County Executive Chris Ronayne. “When residents earn a good wage, they give back through taxes, support their local schools, and help build everything that makes a community special."
City Councilwoman Stephanie Howse-Jones echoed that sentiment with a call to action: “ We don't have the luxury to be a quiet success anymore. It's absolutely our obligation to be loud, unapologetic, to connect to our young people and adults in our community to opportunity.”
The Sector Partnership isn’t just filling open roles—it’s building a stronger, smarter system. With over 8,300 students participating in hands-on learning through the Youth Manufacturing Experience, 250+ formerly incarcerated individuals placed through ACCESS, and 125 career coaches trained through CoachU, the program is tackling workforce development at every level.
Stephen Lovass, Chair of MAGNET’s Board, described the effort as a “flywheel”—one that is gaining momentum with each new initiative. “Think about greater awareness to more career opportunities, workers who feel engaged and valued, then refer other workers. Cuyahoga County is a national model of what sector partnerships can do," he said.
Manufacturers themselves are at the heart of the partnership, shaping curriculum, mentoring students, and hiring graduates.
Geoff Lipnevicius of Lincoln Electric shared that 7 of the 9 students his company hosted through the Early College Early Career (ECEC) program Class of 2025 are now full-time employees. “It’s more than a job—these students gain life skills, financial literacy, communication skills, time management, goal setting. They don't just become better workers, they become more confident, capable people," Geoff noted.
Morrison Products has hired 75% of its new workforce through the ACCESS program, cutting turnover by more than half. “These aren’t just better employees,” said Director of Operations Patrick Einloth. “They’re more invested, more prepared, and ready to build a career.”
While the 3,000 mark is cause for celebration, everyone in the room agreed: there’s more to do. Thousands of manufacturing jobs remain open across the region, and demographic shifts are increasing the need for skilled talent.
But if the last three years have proven anything, it’s that this community knows how to get things done—together. With a shared vision, deep trust, and relentless collaboration, the Manufacturing Sector Partnership has become a national model of how public, private, and nonprofit sectors can align to drive inclusive economic growth.
And with thousands of lives already changed, the next chapter is just beginning. Watch this video to hear success stories from program participants.