Introducing the Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Trends Dashboard 

The Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board is excited to announce the launch of the Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Trends Dashboard. This powerful tool makes workforce data more accessible, actionable, and relevant for our community.

The dashboard is powered by Lightcast, widely recognized as the gold standard in workforce analytics. Lightcast aggregates labor market data from job postings, government sources, and educational institutions. It applies rigorous processes to remove duplicates and ensure accuracy. This means the insights you see are not only comprehensive but also reliable. These are the same sources used for national workforce insights, now tailored specifically to Stark and Tuscarawas counties.

Why We Made This Change 
Previously, workforce data for Stark and Tuscarawas counties lived on two separate websites: strengtheningstarkmeansjobs.com and tuscmeansjobs.com. While these sites contained valuable data, they were challenging to navigate. They also had limitations:

• Missed major online job boards. 
• Lacked essential context like population trends, commuting patterns, and educational attainment. 
• Made it hard to see a complete view of the local workforce
• Could not combine data for the two-county area
• Lacked alignment of talent and demand
• Displayed wages that were not reflective of our area. 

What’s New 
The new dashboard solves these challenges by offering: 

• Automatic Updates: Workforce data refreshes regularly—some monthly, most quarterly—so you always have the latest insights. 
• Easy Access: Hosted directly on our website for permanent, quick, simple access. 
• Flexible Filtering: View data for Stark County, Tuscarawas County, or the combined two-county region. 
• Trusted Sources: Data comes from the same sources used for national workforce analytics, now tailored locally.
• Alignment of Talent and Demand: Visuals and metrics that help connect workforce supply (skills, education) with employer needs. 
• Real Wage Data: Accurate wage information for open jobs in our area, reflecting local realities rather than generalized estimates. 

A Focus on Hyper-Local & Hyper-Timely Insights 
While workforce data exists elsewhere, it’s often scattered across multiple platforms and focused on state or regional trends. Local data matters because what’s true for Summit or Cuyahoga may not be true for Tuscarawas—and what’s true for Stark may not even be true for Tuscarawas. These differences are critical when making decisions that impact our communities. 

Equally important is timeliness. Business demand moves fast, but traditional data often lags behind—sometimes by years. By pulling these automated visuals together, it delivers: 

• Current information that reflects today’s realities
• Geographically relevant insights for Stark and Tuscarawas counties
• Actionable data that helps decision-makers respond to workforce trends in real time

Our Goals 
This dashboard is more than a collection of charts—it’s a strategic tool to strengthen workforce planning and economic growth in Stark and Tuscarawas counties. By investing in this resource, we aim to: 

• Guide our work as a workforce board with data-driven decisions that align talent development and employer needs. 
• Empower the community with clear, accessible insights into local workforce trends. 
• Support decision-makers—locally and beyond with accurate, timely information that informs policy, business strategy, and education planning. 

A Collaborative Resource 
The dashboard is a starting point, not the finish line. Workforce challenges are complex, and data alone doesn’t create solutions—it sparks conversations and drives action. We encourage decision-makers and community partners to: 

• Use this tool as a foundation for deeper analysis and planning. 
• Engage with us if you’re exploring workforce strategies or need customized insights. 
• Collaborate to turn data into impact, ensuring our region remains competitive and responsive to changing economic demands. 

Continuous Improvement 
The dashboard is designed to evolve with our community’s needs. We will review the charts, graphs, and data with Lightcast annually, ensuring they remain relevant and useful. As workforce priorities shift, we will update visuals so the dashboard continues to provide accurate, actionable insights for our community.

Explore the dashboard today! Workforce Dashboard – Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board