What Towards Employment does

Towards Employment is a 50-year-old nonprofit workforce development organization headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, that connects individuals facing employment barriers — including justice involvement, lack of credentials, housing instability, and debt-related license suspension — to sustained careers in manufacturing, healthcare, IT, construction, and commercial driving. The organization delivers the sector-based WorkAdvance career pathway model through programs such as ACCESS to Manufacturing (with MAGNET and Lincoln Electric), Healthcare Training (with University Hospitals), IT certification, Construction/Built Environment, Community & Reentry, Young Adult Services, and Generation Work. Free to participants, services are funded by federal and state workforce contracts (including a $4M U.S. Department of Labor grant), foundation grants (Annie E. Casey, Cleveland Foundation, United Way, LISC), corporate sponsorships, and individual donations.

The organization's go-to-market is community-led rather than sales-driven: job seekers are reached through 30+ community referral partners (PCS for People, CHN Housing Partners, Union Miles, Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Murtis Taylor, etc.), while 300+ employer partners provide direct hiring pipelines. AchieveStaffing, a wholly owned social enterprise subsidiary, generates earned revenue by placing job-ready Clevelanders with prior justice involvement into temporary, temp-to-hire, and permanent roles. Complementary offerings include the Financial Opportunity Center (financial coaching with LISC), the Employer Resource Network (ERN), and the Towards Employment Young Professionals (TEYP) alumni and donor engagement group.

Since 1975, Towards Employment has facilitated 210,000+ cumulative job placements and currently serves 2,000+ individuals annually, reporting a 90% 90-day retention rate. The organization combines direct service delivery with active policy advocacy through the Drive to Justice coalition, contributing to Ohio legislative wins such as the 2025 signing of House Bill 29 on driver's license suspension reform. Technology stack is service-based rather than platform-based — no proprietary AI/ML systems are disclosed — and the moat rests on relationship density, longitudinal outcomes data, and institutional credibility with funders and government workforce agencies across Northeast Ohio.

Name

Towards Employment

Legal name

Towards Employment

Website

https://towardsemployment.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Towards Employment is a Cleveland-based nonprofit workforce development organization that provides free training, job placement, and wraparound support in manufacturing, healthcare, IT, construction, and reentry, serving 2,000+ individuals annually across Northeast Ohio through 300+ employer and 30+ community referral partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Employment Placement Agencies (561311), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Development & Inclusive Employment (Job Training, Placement) (BPAGALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Workforce Development, Employment Readiness & Job Placement (BPADAKAE), Job Placement, Matching & Career Navigation Services (EDAAAOAL), Career Coaching, Mentoring & Placement Support Services (EDAAAKAO), Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Job training programs
• Career pathway services
• Employment placement
• Reentry employment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants: Primary funding source from private and community foundations supporting workforce development initiatives and specific programs like Generation Work.
2. Government Workforce Development Contracts: Federal and state government contracts for workforce training and placement services, including Cuyahoga County and other public workforce development agencies.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Financial support from employers and corporations who benefit from the workforce pipeline and hiring solutions provided by the organization.
4. Individual Donations: Charitable contributions from individual donors supporting the mission of workforce development and economic mobility.
5. AchieveStaffing Social Enterprise Revenue: Earned revenue from AchieveStaffing, the organization's social enterprise staffing operation, which generates income while providing employment opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Towards Employment is a nonprofit workforce development organization that connects job seekers facing systemic barriers to family-sustaining careers through skills training, career coaching, job placement, and wraparound support services. Core programmatic offerings include the WorkAdvance sector-based career pathway model, ACCESS to Manufacturing (with MAGNET), healthcare training (with University Hospitals), IT certification (CompTIA A+), construction/built environment training, Community & Reentry services, Young Adult Services, and the Financial Opportunity Center.

Product overview

Towards Employment is a workforce development organization offering a comprehensive suite of career pathway programs and services. The core offerings include the WorkAdvance model framework, ACCESS to Manufacturing training, healthcare and IT certification programs, and construction/built environment training. Additional services include the Financial Opportunity Center for financial coaching, the Employer Resource Network (ERN) for employer partnerships, and specialized programs for community reentry and young adults. The organization also operates Achieve Staffing as a social enterprise subsidiary. These programs work together to provide integrated career readiness, training, placement, and retention support services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ERN (Employer Resource Network): An employer collaborative that pools resources to provide an on-the-job success coach who helps with work/life issues to all employees, addressing social determinants of work.
• AchieveStaffing
• ACCESS to Manufacturing
• Financial Opportunity Center (FOC)
• WorkAdvance

Products and services

• WorkAdvance Career Pathway Model A sector-based career pathway framework that connects job seekers to in-demand careers through a structured sequence of intake and screening, career readiness preparation, technical training, job placement, and retention support. Designed for individuals with employment barriers and adopted as the organization's service-delivery backbone.
• ACCESS to Manufacturing A manufacturing training and certification program offered in partnership with MAGNET, providing participants with skills, certifications, and credentials for in-demand manufacturing careers. For job seekers pursuing entry or advancement in manufacturing.
• Healthcare Training Programs Skills-based training cohorts and job placement services for healthcare careers, delivered in partnership with University Hospitals and other healthcare employers. For job seekers pursuing healthcare roles.
• IT Training (CompTIA A+ Certification) CompTIA A+ certification preparation program providing career readiness, digital literacy training, and personalized career coaching for IT roles. For job seekers pursuing entry-level IT careers.
• Construction and Built Environment Training Training and certifications for high-demand careers in construction, transit, green infrastructure, broadband, and lead and brownfield remediation sectors. For job seekers pursuing skilled trades and infrastructure careers.
• Community & Reentry Program Workforce development services designed for individuals with justice system involvement, helping them overcome background-check and reentry barriers to employment and build sustainable careers. For justice-involved job seekers reentering the workforce.
• Young Adult Services Career pathway programs specifically designed for young adults (18-24), helping them succeed through educational credentials, sector-based training, and workforce opportunities. For young adult job seekers without four-year degrees.
• Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) A career and financial coaching service that helps families build smart money habits, stabilize finances, and access benefits alongside employment services. Provided in partnership with LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) as a Financial Opportunity Center. For job seekers needing financial stabilization support.
• Employer Resource Network (ERN) An employer collaborative that pools resources to provide on-the-job success coaches who help employees address work/life issues and social determinants of work, improving retention. Towards Employment serves as the lead agency for the Northeast Ohio ERN. For regional employers in manufacturing, healthcare, IT, and other sectors.
• AchieveStaffing Social Enterprise A social enterprise subsidiary that places job-ready Clevelanders with previous criminal justice involvement into competitive temporary, temp-to-hire, and permanent positions, generating earned revenue for Towards Employment while advancing its mission. For Cleveland-area employers seeking staffing services and second-chance hires.
• Generation Work A partnership initiative addressing systemic barriers to work that young adults of color and youth from low-income families face, helping them attain education, training, and meaningful careers. For young adults ages 18-24 in Cuyahoga County, supported through the Annie E. Casey Foundation and partner collective.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% 90-day retention rate for program participants
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MAGNET (Manufacturing Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic industry partner supporting manufacturing workforce development initiatives and connecting graduates to manufacturing employment opportunities.
• University HospitalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare sector partner providing employment opportunities for program graduates in healthcare positions.
• Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining partner providing educational pathways and credentials for workforce development participants.
• Great Lakes TruckingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining partner for trucking and logistics industry workforce development programs.
• 160 Driving AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining partner for commercial driving certification and placement.
• Valley CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining partner providing vocational education and certification programs.
• West Side Catholic CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining partner providing workforce development services to disadvantaged populations.
• Cleveland BuildscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining partner for construction and building trades workforce development.
• Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry (LMM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining partner providing workforce services with wraparound support for homeless and at-risk populations.
• LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial Opportunity Center provider offering financial counseling, income support, and career services to participants.
• Lincoln ElectriccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner office location for training and employment in manufacturing and welding trades.
• Greater Cleveland Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner office and community partner location providing services alongside food assistance programs.
• The Centers for Families and ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneration Work initiative partner providing comprehensive family services alongside workforce development.
• Cuyahoga CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneration Work initiative partner and government workforce development funder.
• Fund for Our Economic FuturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneration Work initiative partner and workforce development funder in Northeast Ohio.
• OhioGuidestonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneration Work initiative partner providing behavioral health and workforce services.
• Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneration Work initiative partner serving youth and young adults in Cuyahoga County.
• Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Workforce Development BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneration Work initiative partner and oversight body for regional workforce development.
• PCS for PeoplecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity referral partner connecting individuals with technology and digital access barriers to workforce services.
• Renounce DenounceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity referral partner for the Drive to Justice coalition addressing justice-involved employment barriers.
• CHN Housing PartnerscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity referral partner connecting housing-insecure individuals to workforce services.
• Reach SuccessminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity referral partner for workforce development referrals.
• Union MilesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity referral partner serving the Union-Miles neighborhood in Cleveland.
• MetrowestminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity referral partner serving the MetroWest area of Cleveland.
• P2SminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity referral partner for workforce development referrals.
• FrontlineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity referral partner for workforce services.
• Murtis TaylorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity referral partner providing services to African American communities in Cleveland.
• PassagesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity referral partner for workforce development referrals.
• NORAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity referral partner for workforce services.
• Starting PointminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity referral partner for early childhood and family services.
• Neighborhood ConnectionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrive to Justice coalition partner for advocacy around justice-involved employment.
• Policy Matters OhiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrive to Justice coalition partner for policy advocacy around employment barriers.
• Building Freedom OhiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrive to Justice coalition partner addressing employment barriers for justice-involved individuals.
• AchieveStaffingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial enterprise affiliate providing staffing services and generating earned revenue while providing employment for program participants.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ManpowerGroup: Global staffing and workforce-solutions firm. Provides scale benchmark for staffing/placement services and competes in adjacent labor-market services to TE's AchieveStaffing social enterprise.
• Goodwill Industries International: The largest U.S. workforce-development nonprofit, operating job-training, placement, and social-enterprise (retail/thrift) programs nationwide. Directly comparable mission and service mix to Towards Employment, with significantly broader geographic footprint and scale.
• Robert Half: Large commercial staffing and placement firm operating nationally. Comparable placement function to TE's AchieveStaffing social enterprise but serves higher-skilled populations through a for-profit commercial model.

Direct peers

• Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing tuition-free tech training (similar to TE's IT/CompTIA A+ track) and career pathways to individuals from underserved communities. Comparable population focus, training-plus-placement model, and employer-driven outcomes approach.
• Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO): National nonprofit focused exclusively on employment for people returning from incarceration — directly comparable to TE's Community & Reentry Program and AchieveStaffing social enterprise serving justice-involved populations.
• Year Up: Workforce-development nonprofit delivering career pathways and job placement to young adults (18-24) facing systemic barriers — directly mirroring TE's Young Adult Services segment and Generation Work initiative. Comparable training-plus-coaching-plus-placement model.
• STRIVE International: National nonprofit providing intensive workforce training and placement services to individuals facing barriers to employment. Closely comparable wraparound-supported model and underserved-population focus.

Regional players

• Cincinnati Works: Cincinnati-based nonprofit providing employment coaching, barrier-removal, and placement services for individuals facing systemic poverty. Nearly identical service model to TE, with same Ohio regional context.
• Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) Boston: Multi-city workforce-development nonprofit (Boston, SF, others) providing skills training, job placement, and refugee/immigrant integration services. Comparable wraparound-services model and training-plus-placement approach in a different metro.
• Skills for Chicago: Chicago-based nonprofit connecting job seekers with barrier-removal support, training, and employer placement. Closely mirrors TE's WorkAdvance model and wraparound-services approach but serves a different metro.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TowardsEmploy
• Facebookfacebook.com/towardsemployment
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/towards-employment

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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 Towards Employment