About GCCC

Collectively, we will grow and sustain a diverse and equitable talent pipeline in Greater Cleveland.

Our Story

In the Fall of 2019, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District in collaboration with the Cleveland Foundation launched a design process called Linking Students to Career Pathways and Living Wage Jobs (Linking Students). Linking Students aims to address the challenge of ensuring all CMSD students graduate from high school with a career goal and route to achieve it. Over 18 months, 100 individuals, 40 organizations, and 70 employers were organized into two phases. Phase1, focus on problem identification and learning, which concluded with a set of actionable recommendations, and phase 2, translate the recommendations into action.

The recommendations were then organized into two pillars:

Pillar 1: Create a structured, student-centered approach to career exploration, active planning, and decision-making, or Planning and Career Exploration.

In November 2021 the Cleveland Metropolitan School District launched the Planning and Career Exploration (PACE) framework for all 6-12th students.

Pillar 2: Establish a consortium of multi-sector partners critical to coordinating, implementing, aligning, and sustaining the effort.

In 2022, the Greater Cleveland Career Consortium (GCCC), a group of public, private, education, and non-profit organizations was formed. This collective impact organization works together to help every student in the region design a career plan that aligns with their interests and skills. The GCCC partners with school districts to include self-awareness and career-based learning opportunities for all students during the school day and connect employers with local school districts, students, and families to help build our regional workforce.

Our Vision

A comprehensive, coordinated, and community-wide approach to career exploration and readiness that empowers young Greater Clevelanders, sets them up for success, and advances regional economic prosperity.

Collectively, we will…

ADVANCE

racial equity in both program outcomes and process

SUPPORT

integration of embedded career exploration and planning curriculum into school districts

GROW

job preparation and placement outcomes across the region

Collectively, we will…

lead and design with equity
develop and connect diverse talent across the region
engage with all students
align public, private, education, and non-profit organization resources
measure outcomes for continuous improvement
advance policy and mobilize resources for continued systems integration

Our Core Values

Accountability

All contributors own their role, responsibilities, performance, and results
Collaboration

All contributors have a shared vision for change and a collective approach to the work
Continuous Improvement

All contributors are committed to a data-driven approach that supports and enables learning, innovation, iteration, and reflection over time
Transparency

All contributors are committed to open, honest, direct, and consistent communication

GCCC: A Collective Impact Organization

Our collective impact is a network of community members, organizations, and institutions that advance equity by learning together, aligning, and integrating actions to achieve population and systems-level change.