Cortex Innovation Community invited Key Strategic Group to conduct a Workforce Development System Gap Analysis for Cortex and the five priority industry clusters that Cortex supports in the St. Louis region. The analysis aimed to support Cortex in achieving one of its core strategies: acting as a talent training intermediary to meet the diverse talent needs of employers and to provide targeted training opportunities for quality jobs available to all.

The KSG team collaborated with Cortex and key regional stakeholders to establish a contemporary profile of the demographic, social, and economic characteristics of residents with a priority focus on low/moderate-income and minority populations. The resulting plan recommended a model for a collaborative infrastructure that encompasses non-profit organizations, training providers, employers, workforce development, and government agencies. The plan prioritizes inclusive economic growth and mobility, introducing innovative tools and methods for building a comprehensive ecosystem. The blueprint also outlines a structure to improve efficiency, inter-organization connectivity, and effectiveness.