TalentGro

What TalentGro does

TalentGro is a division of Hamilton-Ryker Group, Inc., a privately held US staffing company headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee. Founded in 2018 by Hamilton-Ryker COO Shari Franey, TalentGro operates as a national Registered Apprenticeship intermediary for healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology employers. The company sponsors, launches, manages, and supports employer apprenticeship programs, handling Department of Labor compliance, reporting, and lifecycle administration. TalentGro has grown to serve 9,200+ apprentices through 1,100+ employer partners and holds apprenticeship sponsorship approval in 47 states. The parent Hamilton-Ryker is a multi-state staffing company with 40 offices and approximately $100 million in revenue across five divisions (Commercial Staffing, HR Federal, Priority Personnel, iSymphony, and TalentGro).

The company's core service offering bundles four streams: Intermediary Services and Sponsor Support, Apprenticeship Development and Lifecycle Management, Grant Funding and Management, and Training and Workforce Development Services. Distinct technical and product components include a Virtual Reality (VR) Forklift Training and Assessment module deployed across Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee offices; Soft Skills training; a Cyber Defense apprenticeship combining Motlow State's Associate of Applied Science degree with the Google IT Support Professional Certificate; and the TalentGro Military sub-brand supporting transitioning service members, reservists, veterans, and spouses via DoD SkillBridge, DOL VETS ENPP, Army Reserve P3, VALOR Act, and Hire Heroes USA partnerships. Notable disclosed outcomes include 94% apprentice retention (HAEP), 40% increase in forklift driver placement (VR training), and management of more than 30 active federal, state, and private grants.

TalentGro monetizes through custom, quote-based enterprise contracts for intermediary and training services, layered with grant-funded program delivery from federal (DOL HAEP $6M, DoD MEEP), state (NJ PACE $371,630, Kansas SAEEI, Florida Apprentice Florida, Iowa Earn and Learn), and private sources. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; employer-specific contracts typically include multi-year terms with apprentices compensated earn-while-they-learn (one SkillBridge stipend cited at $6,000). Go-to-market blends direct enterprise field sales, channel partnerships with state workforce agencies and industry associations (Argentum, Kansas Hospital Association, TAMA, Manufacture Alabama, KAM), government program co-marketing (SkillBridge, ENPP, apprenticeship.gov), and direct outreach to job seekers and military-affiliated candidates through the TalentGro Military division.

Name

TalentGro

Legal name

Hamilton-Ryker Group, Inc.

Website

https://talentgro.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TalentGro, a division of Hamilton-Ryker, is a national Registered Apprenticeship intermediary serving healthcare, manufacturing, and IT employers across 47 US states. It manages program sponsorship, DOL compliance, grant administration, and VR forklift training for 9,200+ apprentices and 1,100+ employer partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Human Resources & Talent (EDAAAPAM), Technical & Digital Skills Training (BPACANAB), Recruiting & Talent Acquisition Training (EDABAIAA)

Keywords

• Registered apprenticeship programs
• Workforce development services
• Apprenticeship intermediary services
• VR forklift training
• Veteran employment programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Franklin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Apprenticeship Intermediary & Sponsor Services: Recurring revenue from acting as program sponsor/intermediary, managing the day-to-day operations of employers' Registered Apprenticeship programs, including reporting, compliance, and lifecycle management.
2. Grant Funding & Management: Revenue from sourcing and administering federal, state, and private grant funds (e.g., DOL HAEP grant, DOD MEEP grant, KS SAEEI, NJ PACE) to support employer apprenticeship programs.
3. VR Training and Assessment Services: Revenue from providing Virtual Reality forklift assessment and training to temporary employees and client direct employees; revenue derived from successful placements and training engagements.
4. Customizable Training Programs: Customized upskilling, pre-apprenticeship, and ancillary training programs (e.g., Soft Skills, RTI, IT) sold to employers and job seekers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

TalentGro is a Registered Apprenticeship intermediary and workforce development solution that helps employers in Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Information Technology launch, manage, and comply with apprenticeship programs. It delivers Intermediary Services and Sponsor Support, Apprenticeship Development & Lifecycle Management, Grant Funding & Management, and Training & Other Workforce Development Services. Specialized offerings include the TalentGro Military division for transitioning service members/veterans, VR Forklift Training and Assessment, and Soft Skills Training.

Product overview

TalentGro is a unified workforce development platform (a division of Hamilton-Ryker) that operates as a Registered Apprenticeship intermediary rather than a multi-module SaaS suite. Its core offering bundles Intermediary Services and Sponsor Support, Apprenticeship Development & Lifecycle Management, Grant Funding & Management, and Training & Other Workforce Development Services into a single program that supports Healthcare, Manufacturing, Information Technology, and Business Services sectors. Specialized offerings sit on top of this core: TalentGro Military (a sub-brand for transitioning service members, reservists, veterans and spouses supported by SkillBridge, P3, VALOR, ENPP, MARAPP, and Hire Heroes USA collaborations), the Virtual Reality (VR) Forklift Training and Assessment product, Soft Skills Training, and grant-funded program tracks including the Healthcare Apprenticeship Expansion Program (HAEP), the Manufacturing Engineering Education Program (MEEP) with Tooling U-SME, and the Cyber Defense Apprenticeship with Motlow State. Together these products and services enable TalentGro to manage over 3,400–9,200 apprentices across 1,100+ employer partners with apprenticeship approval in 47 states.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TalentGro Military: Military-focused workforce development division of TalentGro that connects employer partners with transitioning military, reservists, veterans and their spouses through Registered Apprenticeships funded by grants and government programs, including SkillBridge, ENPP, VALOR Act, and P3.

Products and services

• Intermediary Services and Sponsor Support Enables employers to offer Registered Apprenticeship programs and maintain oversight while TalentGro supports day-to-day operations, including up-to-date documentation meeting Department of Labor and other oversight agency requirements.
• Apprenticeship Development & Lifecycle Management End-to-end development and management of apprenticeship programs including identifying and recruiting new employees, coordinating educational providers, employing apprentices, coaching and mentoring the current workforce, providing Related Technical Instruction (RTI), and maintaining regulatory compliance.
• Grant Funding & Management Identification and management of federal, state, and private funding sources (DOL HAEP, DOD MEEP, KS SAEEI, NJ PACE, Iowa Earn and Learn) to support employer partners' apprenticeship programs.
• Virtual Reality (VR) Forklift Training and Assessment VR-based forklift training and assessment that places trainees in a simulated work setting, eliminating safety risks and costs of training on actual forklifts. Documented to achieve a 40% increase in successful placement of forklift drivers at a Tupelo, MS client.
• Soft Skills Training Workforce development training providing soft skills education (leadership, teamwork, poise, efficiency, integrity) to temporary and incumbent workers across industries.
• TalentGro Military Connects employer partners with transitioning military, reservists, veterans, and their spouses through Registered Apprenticeships funded by grants and government programs including DOD SkillBridge, VALOR Act, Army Reserve P3, DOL VETS ENPP, Hire Heroes USA, and MARAPP.
• Healthcare Apprenticeships Registered apprenticeship programs in Healthcare (CNA, LPN, RN, healthcare leadership, healthcare cybersecurity) delivered via partnership with Argentum Senior Living, Kansas Hospital Association, and the DOL HAEP grant; serves 47 states.
• Manufacturing Apprenticeships Registered apprenticeships across 1,000+ job titles in Manufacturing, Logistics, and STEM fields; TalentGro Intermediary services help employers of any size develop apprenticeship programs.
• Information Technology Apprenticeships IT apprenticeship programs designed to help employers address HBI Visa process challenges by educating and nurturing local talent for high-salary, high-demand IT jobs.
• Cyber Defense Apprenticeship Apprenticeship combining Motlow State's Associate of Applied Science degree in Cyber Defense with the Google IT Support Professional Certificate; TalentGro assists with recruiting, screening, onboarding, and serves as employer of record and apprenticeship intermediary.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% of HAEP apprentices continue employment following apprenticeship completion
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• State of New Jersey (Department of Labor)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Provided $371,630 for the FY2026 New Jersey Pre-Apprenticeship in Career Education (PACE) Round 1 Grant Program to Hamilton-Rykering TalentGro for the period 01/01/2026 through 06/30/2027, to prepare individuals for Registered Apprenticeship programs.
• ArgentumflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2020Lead applicant/fiduciary agent on the $6M DOL Healthcare Apprenticeship Expansion Program (HAEP) grant, with TalentGro as intermediary. Co-developed 9+ healthcare apprenticeship pathways plus new programs in Cyber Security/Healthcare IT and Healthcare Leadership, serving 7,200+ participants over 4 years.
• Tooling U-SMEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnered on a Department of Defense Manufacturing Engineering Education Program (MEEP) grant; Tooling U-SME provides manufacturing-focused training and apprenticeship frameworks incorporated into TalentGro's apprenticeship programs. Used in Kansas SAEEI program for incarcerated apprentices via Viapath tablets.
• Kansas Hospital AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState healthcare industry association partner enabling TalentGro to deliver apprenticeship intermediary services to healthcare employers in Kansas as part of Healthcare Apprenticeship Industry Group network.
• Viapath TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides tablets and learning technology deployed in 30 state DOC contracts in more than 640 counties; enables online RTI course delivery to apprentices at correctional facilities such as Hutchinson Correctional Facility in Kansas.
• KMW Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural manufacturer partnering with TalentGro and Hutchinson Correctional Facility on Kansas SAEEI grant to host on-the-job training (OTJ) for incarcerated apprentices in Maintenance Technician and Welding Registered Apprenticeship Programs.
• Motlow State Community College (MotlowTrained)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Cyber Defense apprenticeship combining Motlow State's Associate of Applied Sciences degree with Google IT Support Professional Certificate; first cohort of 10 students started August 17, 2020; TalentGro serves as employer of record and intermediary.
• Google ITcoreTechnology or IntegrationGoogle IT Support Professional Certificate curriculum integrated into the Motlow State / TalentGro Cyber Defense apprenticeship program.
• Jobs for the FuturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on the Cyber Defense apprenticeship initiative, supporting workforce readiness and apprenticeship design.
• Life Care Services (LCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages 140 communities nationwide including Cottage Grove Place and Green Hills, which partnered with TalentGro on Iowa Coronavirus Relief Fund Earn and Learn Grant apprenticeship programs in healthcare and culinary tracks.
• Family Scholar HousecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvider of wraparound support services for HAEP program apprentices, offering resources and funds for academic coaching, affordable housing, transportation, childcare, and emergencies; offered at no additional charge to HAEP participants.
• Tennessee Automotive Manufacturers Association (TAMA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustry association providing members with access to TalentGro's apprenticeship intermediary services and grant funding opportunities; member benefit focused on retraining and upskilling automotive workforce.
• Kentucky Army National GuardcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMilitary partner collaborating on apprenticeship pathways for transitioning National Guard members.
• Citizens Soldier for LifeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArmy National Guard program providing Career Readiness Standards and Financial Literacy training to National Guard members, families, Veterans, and Retirees; partner on military transition support.
• Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartment of Labor agency; TalentGro Military signed Memorandum of Understanding with VETS to support the Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot (ENPP) program providing one-on-one career assistance to transitioning service members and their spouses at pilot installations worldwide.
• Apprenticeship AlabamacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed by the Alabama Department of Commerce Workforce Development Division; collaboration to develop industry-driven Registered Apprenticeship programs for Alabama employers and workers.
• Alabama Department of LaborcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministers WIOA and implements Workforce Development initiatives including OJT, Apprenticeships, and Work-Based Learning in Alabama.
• Manufacture AlabamacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlabama trade association dedicated to manufacturers and partner industries; collaboration on apprenticeship and workforce development programs.
• Kentucky Education and Workforce Development CabinetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoverning body for Registered Apprenticeships in Kentucky; provides technical and consultative services to employers. TalentGro received its first state apprenticeship approval in Kentucky.
• Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKentucky industry association focused on workforce development, education, training, and cost-saving benefits for manufacturing members.
• Kentucky Career CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides services for job seekers, employers, veterans, disabilities, training, and SNAP E&T in Kentucky; coordinates with TalentGro on apprenticeship placement.
• Mississippi WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMississippi workforce development network of employers, state agencies, education and training providers, and economic developers collaborating on apprenticeship programs.
• Tennessee Department of Labor - ApprenticeshipscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnsures Registered Apprenticeship programs are on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL); TalentGro received Tennessee apprenticeship approval in July 2019.
• Visionary Consulting PartnersminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConsulting partner applying industry best practices and disease management models to craft custom workforce and healthcare solutions.
• U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) SkillBridgeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllows service members within last 180 days of service to participate in civilian job training, including apprenticeships and internships, while still on active duty. DoD pays service member salary/benefits during SkillBridge.
• U.S. Army Reserve Private Public Partnership (P3)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngages with businesses and academia to build a nationwide network of training and employment opportunities for Army Reserve soldiers and their families.
• Hire Heroes USAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEmpowers U.S. military members, veterans, and spouses to succeed in the civilian workforce; TalentGro Military is an approved partner.
• Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization supporting employment of military spouses; TalentGro partners to deliver apprenticeship and employment opportunities for spouses.
• State of Kansas (Department of Commerce)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwarded Kansas Registered Apprenticeship State Expansion, Equity and Inclusion (SAEEI) grant to TalentGro to expand Registered Apprenticeships in Kansas with goal of increasing employer/sponsor and Apprentice numbers/diversity.
• Apprentice Florida (FL DOE, FL DEO, CareerSource FL)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between FL DOE, FL DEO and CareerSource FL; TalentGro acts as Apprenticeship Intermediary to sponsor, launch, manage, and support at least 43 Employer Partners who will initiate 400 apprenticeships throughout Florida.
• U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) - VETS ENPPflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSigned Memorandum of Understanding with Veterans' Employment and Training Service to support Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot (ENPP) program, joining 32 other partners to provide apprenticeship opportunities, employment referrals and placement, workforce training, and wraparound services to ~41,000 transitioning servicemembers and their spouses.
• TrainOurTroopsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVeterans' group working closely with TalentGro to help service members transition to civilian apprenticeships and employment.
• Iowa Workforce Development / Governor's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIowa's Governor Kim Reynolds announced 46 Coronavirus Relief Fund Earn and Learn Grant awardees; Hamilton-Rykering TalentGro with Cottage Grove Place and Green Hills was an approved program.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Year Up: Year Up is a national workforce development nonprofit that trains young adults and connects them to employer partners via paid apprenticeships and internship programs. TalentGro's TalentGro Military, healthcare apprenticeship, and IT apprenticeship (Motlow/Google IT) tracks address the same employer-paid training-to-hire model.
• Apprenti: Apprenti is a Registered Apprenticeship intermediary that places apprentices into tech and IT roles with employer partners. Like TalentGro, it acts as program sponsor/intermediary and serves as employer of record, with a similar model of partnering with state agencies, industry associations, and community colleges.
• Per Scholas: Per Scholas provides tuition-free tech training and apprenticeship pathways to individuals from nontraditional backgrounds, partnering with employers to source diverse IT talent. Directly comparable to TalentGro's IT/Cyber Defense apprenticeship (Motlow + Google IT) and its underutilized-talent-pool positioning.
• Goodwill Industries International: Goodwill operates one of the largest US workforce development and registered apprenticeship programs, including programs for justice-involved individuals, veterans, and low-income adults. Closely comparable to TalentGro's reentry (Kansas SAEEI correctional) and veteran (TalentGro Military) apprenticeship programs.

Broad incumbents

• ManpowerGroup: ManpowerGroup is a global staffing and workforce solutions firm offering apprenticeship and skills-gap programs (including MyPath, ApprenticeshipUSA partnerships) across many countries. Overlaps with TalentGro's apprenticeship intermediary and staffing-adjacent services, but at vastly larger scale and broader scope.
• Aerotek: Aerotek is a large US staffing firm that places skilled trades, manufacturing, and technical workers and offers workforce development solutions. Comparable to TalentGro's manufacturing and IT apprenticeship offerings as part of a broader staffing portfolio.
• Korn Ferry: Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm with a workforce/talent acquisition practice that includes apprenticeship and skills-gap advisory services. Like TalentGro, it sells into HR leadership at enterprises, but as part of a much broader portfolio.
• EmployBridge: EmployBridge is a US staffing and workforce solutions provider that operates apprenticeship and upskilling programs for industrial and clerical employers. Closely comparable to TalentGro's manufacturing-focused apprenticeship intermediary model within the staffing industry.

Others

• WorkForce Software: WorkForce Software provides workforce management SaaS (time/attendance, scheduling, compliance). It is adjacent rather than directly competitive, but enterprise buyers evaluating TalentGro's apprenticeship intermediary services often run WFM platforms, making it a relevant ecosystem peer for partnership and channel conversations.

Emerging players

• Multiverse: Multiverse is an apprenticeship-focused training and staffing company that connects employers with apprentices in tech, data, and business roles. It is a directly comparable emerging apprenticeship intermediary, although it is primarily UK-based rather than US-focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hrtalentgro
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/talentgro

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 TalentGro