ASPYR

What ASPYR does

ASPYR Workforce Innovation, formerly the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio (WDBCO) until its October 2024 rebrand, is a Columbus, Ohio-based non-profit workforce development organization founded in 2017 and operating with 11-50 employees. It functions as the federally-designated workforce board for the region, holding the OhioMeansJobs Columbus-Franklin County franchise and having been selected by the State of Ohio to lead the Central Ohio WorkOhio Hub. ASPYR coordinates a portfolio of programs including the OMJCFC Job Center, the Achieve More and Prosper (AMP) youth program, registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, the Career 500 initiative, and the Healthcare Career Collaborative of Central Ohio (HCCOCO). It also anchors the Central Ohio Workforce Development Network (COWDN), a coalition of 16 non-profit agencies operating under a 'no wrong door' service model.

The organization runs two flagship technology-enabled service assets: a Workforce Data Dashboard providing labor market intelligence (labor force totals, unemployment, job postings, in-demand occupations, 10-year industry projections, commuting patterns), and the JoMo Career Exploration Experience — a 40-foot mobile RV deploying Traitify personality assessments, VR job simulations, and interactive career guidance. Distribution extends through the OMJCFC Job Center at 1111 E. Broad St., career coaching stations at Columbus Metropolitan Library branches, mobile outreach via the JoMo RV, and the WorkOhio.gov digital gateway. Key employer-facing services include job posting, recruitment events, OJT wage reimbursement (up to 50%), incumbent worker training reimbursement (up to 90% of training costs), apprenticeship program development, and Rapid Response dislocated worker services.

ASPYR operates as a publicly-funded entity rather than a commercial business. All services are provided free of charge to both job seekers and employers, with revenue derived from federal, state, and local government grants — most notably a $4 million U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Building America grant (2024) and a $1.8 million Columbus City Council Career 500 grant (2024), supplementing baseline Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) appropriations. The customer base spans job seekers (unemployed, underemployed, youth), employers (with notable healthcare concentration across six major Central Ohio health systems), training providers, and regional workforce partners. Leadership is headed by CEO Lisa Patt-McDaniel and COO Chance Shannan, supported by a full executive team covering programs, communications, business solutions, policy and research, apprenticeships, and industry sector partnerships.

Name

ASPYR

Legal name

Aspyr

Website

https://aspyrworkforce.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ASPYR is a Columbus-based non-profit workforce development organization operating the OhioMeansJobs Columbus-Franklin County Job Center, leading the Central Ohio WorkOhio Hub, and coordinating a 16-agency network that delivers free job seeker, apprenticeship, and employer services funded by government grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Employment Placement Agencies (561311), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Employment Services (5613), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Job Placement, Matching & Career Navigation Services (EDAAAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Workforce & Job-Seeker Services (Community-Based) (EDAAAFAM)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Apprenticeship programs
• Career exploration services
• Job matching and placement
• Employer business services

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Funding: Aspyr operates as a publicly-funded workforce development organization receiving grants from federal, state, and local government sources including the U.S. Department of Labor ($4 million ABA grant), Columbus City Council ($1.8 million Career 500 grants), and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding.
2. Workforce Development Services: Provides free workforce development services including apprenticeship programs, job matching, training provider coordination, and employer services at no cost to job seekers or employers. Funded through public workforce development appropriations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ASPYR is a Central Ohio workforce development organization that connects job seekers to training, apprenticeships, and employment while helping employers access subsidized hiring, wage reimbursements, and sector-based talent pipelines. It operates the OhioMeansJobs Columbus-Franklin County Job Center, runs the JoMo mobile career exploration program, the AMP youth program, the WorkOhio regional Hub, and coordinates the 16-agency Central Ohio Workforce Development Network. All services are provided free of charge to both job seekers and employers and are funded primarily through federal, state, and local government workforce grants.

Product overview

ASPYR (Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio) is a workforce development organization, not a technology product company. The organization operates as a platform of interconnected workforce services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include the OhioMeansJobs Job Center for job seekers, an Apprenticeship Hub with Pre-Apprenticeship Programs for employer-driven workforce training, and the JoMo Career Exploration Experience (a mobile RV-based career guidance system). Youth services include the Achieve More and Prosper (AMP) Program. Business-facing services include WorkOhio Hub leadership, Healthcare Career Collaborative (HCCOCO), Business Services consulting, and the THRIVE Employee Resource Network. Additional offerings include a Workforce Data Dashboard, Career 500 grant program, the You@Work unified marketing campaign, and a network of vetted Training Provider Programs across multiple industries. ASPYR also coordinates the Central Ohio Workforce Development Network (COWDN), a collaborative of 16 member agencies. These services work together to provide end-to-end workforce development from career exploration through employment placement and retention support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Career 500: Program designed to uplift 500 or more Columbus residents by providing training, wraparound support, and job placement services to unemployed and underemployed individuals
• AMP (Achieve More and Prosper)
• JoMo Career Exploration Experience
• You@Work
• Healthcare Career Collaborative of Central Ohio (HCCOCO)
• Apprenticeship Hub

Products and services

• OhioMeansJobs Columbus-Franklin County Job Center Full-service job center at 1111 E. Broad St., Columbus, providing employment assistance, career coaching, job matching, resume help, training enrollment, and employer hiring services for job seekers and employers in Franklin County, Ohio.
• Apprenticeship Hub Centralized resource connecting employers, job seekers, and training providers to registered apprenticeship programs, offering technical assistance, program development, and funding support.
• Pre-Apprenticeship Program Entry-level training and education program that prepares individuals to enter and succeed in registered apprenticeship programs, developing essential work-related skills and readiness.
• JoMo Career Exploration Experience Mobile career-exploration experience housed in a 40-foot RV, providing interactive technology, Traitify personality assessments, virtual reality work simulations, and video content on high-demand careers for youth and job seekers.
• Achieve More and Prosper (AMP) Program Youth workforce development program providing career exploration, training opportunities, wraparound services, soft skills development, and job placement for young people in Central Ohio, aligned with Ohio's CCMEP requirements.
• WorkOhio Hub (Central Ohio) Statewide initiative led by Aspyr in Central Ohio, providing a streamlined online gateway and regional job hub for career coaching, training resources, and in-demand job opportunities across Ohio.
• Healthcare Career Collaborative of Central Ohio (HCCOCO) Employer-led sector partnership connecting healthcare employers with workforce development resources to build talent pipelines for healthcare occupations through career exploration events and training programs.
• Workforce Data Dashboard Interactive data visualization tool providing workforce statistics including labor force totals, unemployment by age group, job postings, in-demand occupations, hires and separations, 10-year industry projections, commuting patterns, education attainment, and work environments.
• Career 500 Program distributing $1.8 million in grants from Columbus City Council to support existing workforce development programs serving unemployed and underemployed Columbus residents.
• Business Services for Employers Consulting and operational services for employers, including industry sector partnerships, incumbent worker training (up to 90% reimbursement), apprenticeship program development, OJT wage reimbursement (up to 50%), rapid response support, and labor market insights.
• Central Ohio Workforce Development Network (COWDN) Collaborative network of 16 non-profit agencies coordinated by Aspyr to provide comprehensive workforce support and resources across Central Ohio, operating under a 'no wrong door' philosophy.
• THRIVE Employee Resource Network Local implementation of the ERN-USA model that places success coaches at participating companies to provide employees with personalized support for personal and logistical challenges affecting work performance.
• Training Provider Programs Network of vetted training providers offering programs in healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing, construction/trades, business administration, transportation/logistics, and leisure/hospitality sectors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 250+ workers reached through Big Lots Rapid Response initiative
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Healthcare Career Collaborative of Central Ohio (HCCOCO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2026Partnership with major healthcare systems to host career exploration events. The 2026 event hosted 2,000+ students with healthcare professionals from OSU Wexner Medical Center, Mount Carmel, OhioHealth, and Nationwide Children's Hospital.
• Education Service Center of Central OhiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2026Partner in presenting healthcare career exploration events for high school students across Central Ohio.
• WorkOhio / Ohio Department of Job and Family ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 January 2026Selected to lead the Central Ohio WorkOhio Hub, serving as primary point of contact for residents seeking career assistance through WorkOhio.gov platform, coordinating with state workforce agencies.
• Central Ohio Workforce Development Network (COWDN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 October 2024Aspyr serves as anchor organization for COWDN, coordinating 16 non-profit agencies to provide comprehensive workforce support with 'no wrong door' accessibility.
• South Central Ohio Workforce Partnership (SCOWP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 October 2024Collaborative partnership to implement registered apprenticeship programs across Central and South Central Ohio regions.
• OhioMeansJobs Columbus-Franklin County (OMJCFC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates the OMJCFC Job Center providing comprehensive workforce services including job matching, career coaching, and employer services.
• Franklin County Job & Family ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in revamping the Achieve More and Prosper (AMP) program for youth workforce development.
• Columbus State Community CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Columbus Promise internship program and Workforce Development Network. Columbus Promise provides tuition-free access to Columbus State for Columbus City Schools graduates.
• Midwest Urban StrategiessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network of 13 Department of Labor urban workforce development boards combining workforce development with economic development.
• National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional network connecting workforce development professionals with knowledge, training, and tools for WIOA implementation.
• Shift Work ForwardsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationally powered, locally driven organization partnering with regional workforce leaders to reshape systems of work and opportunity.
• Columbus Metropolitan LibrariessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer coaching outreach at library locations including Main Library (Mondays/Wednesdays) and Whitehall branch (Thursdays) providing intake and job matching services.
• Goodwill ColumbussupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of COWDN providing workforce development services and staffing at library locations.
• Columbus Urban LeaguesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of COWDN providing staffing expertise at Columbus Metropolitan Library for intake and job matching services.
• The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner in Central Ohio Healthcare Sector Partnership (COHSP) with 85+ healthcare professionals designing career exploration activities.
• Mount Carmel Health SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Central Ohio Healthcare Sector Partnership addressing healthcare workforce shortages through career exploration and training programs.
• OhioHealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Central Ohio Healthcare Sector Partnership providing healthcare professionals for career exploration and sector development.
• Nationwide Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Central Ohio Healthcare Sector Partnership contributing to healthcare workforce development initiatives.
• United States Conference of Mayors Workforce Development CouncilsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization representing workforce development boards affiliated with cities over 30,000 population.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Emerging players

• Apprenti: Apprenti is a national registered apprenticeship intermediary focused on tech occupations, comparable to Aspyr's Apprenticeship Hub but specialized in technology employer demand rather than regional multi-sector apprenticeships.
• Year Up: Year Up is a national workforce development nonprofit focused on young adults, offering training-to-employment pathways with employer partners; comparable to Aspyr's AMP youth and Career 500 programs but operating at national scale.
• Generation USA: Generation is a global employment non-profit running training-to-placement programs across healthcare, IT, and skilled trades, comparable to Aspyr's sector partnership and Career 500 model but operating across multiple U.S. cities.

Broad incumbents

• National Urban League: National Urban League operates workforce development, job placement, and youth programs through affiliates including the Columbus Urban League (a COWDN partner), a larger incumbent with comparable workforce services delivered nationally.
• Goodwill Industries International: Goodwill Industries operates the largest U.S. network of workforce development and job training programs across hundreds of local agencies, including Goodwill Columbus which is itself a COWDN member, broader in scope but directly overlapping in mission.

Others

• Jobs for the Future (JFF): JFF is a national nonprofit that designs workforce development systems, including apprenticeship and sector partnership frameworks; not a direct operator but an ecosystem enabler whose frameworks inform Aspyr's apprenticeship and sector strategies.

Direct peers

• Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership: Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership is the workforce development board serving Chicago and Cook County, Illinois, operating job centers, sector partnerships, and youth programs with WIOA and city funding, directly comparable in mission and structure to Aspyr.
• Workforce Development Board of Southeast Michigan / Detroit at Work: Detroit at Work is the City of Detroit's workforce development system, operating an American Job Center, apprenticeship programs, and employer sector partnerships in a single metro region, structurally identical to Aspyr's OhioMeansJobs/COWDN model.
• Workforce Solutions Capital Area (Austin): Workforce Solutions Capital Area is the Texas Workforce Commission contractor serving the Austin metro, operating job centers, apprenticeship programs, and employer sector partnerships, an analogous public workforce board model to Aspyr.
• America Works: America Works is a workforce development and employment placement organization operating across multiple U.S. cities, providing job placement, career coaching, and employer services, closely paralleling Aspyr's employer and job-seeker services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WDBCentralOhio
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC-1zPFfl_tjdkPlaPniQVbg
• Facebookfacebook.com/WDBCentralOhio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wdb-central-ohio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ASPYR