TalentForce

What TalentForce does

TalentForce is a 501(c)(3) charitable workforce development organization launched on March 17, 2026, by the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) to address structural workforce shortages in the corrosion and materials protection industry. The organization directly tackles converging pressures: an aging workforce (average age 48-54, with approximately 40% eligible to retire within 10 years), exploding demand (3.4 million miles of aging U.S. pipelines, ~250,000 maritime workers needed this decade, 70%+ of employers reporting active talent shortages), and increasing technical complexity (robotics, AI-assisted analysis, advanced materials). TalentForce serves four primary stakeholder segments: Companies & Employers (co-designing apprenticeship programs and credential-aligned training), Career-Seekers & Professionals, Students & Educators, and Agencies & Lawmakers.

The organization's core offerings are organized around a four-pillar model (Purpose, Pathways, Partnerships, People+) and include four career pathways (Protective Coatings, Pipelines & Cathodic Protection, Engineering, and Technology), the EMERG student outreach and scholarship program (702 scholarships and ~$2M awarded since 2005), cKits and SOAR educational resources, and DOL-aligned registered apprenticeship pilots launching in Texas, Virginia, and New Jersey. All programs are aligned to AMPP's globally recognized standards and credentials, providing a credential stack that grows with experience from entry-level through principal engineer.

TalentForce operates as a nonprofit with no product sales; revenue is generated through donations and partnership funding from individuals, employers, industry partners, and foundations. The business model is partnership-driven, with direct engagement channels via talentforce.org, contact forms, social media, and industry events including the AMPP Annual Conference + Expo. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, with 11-50 employees, TalentForce is governed by an independent leadership team with strategic oversight from AMPP executives including CEO Alan Thomas (Chairman) and CFO Jennifer Colunga (Treasurer).

Name

TalentForce

Legal name

TalentForce

Website

https://talentforce.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2026

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TalentForce is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit launched in 2026 by AMPP to rebuild the workforce behind corrosion and materials protection. It serves employers, career-seekers, students, and agencies through career pathways, scholarships, and DOL-aligned registered apprenticeship programs in Texas, Virginia, and New Jersey.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Internship-to-Apprenticeship & Early Talent Pipeline Programs (EDAMAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Human Resources & Talent (EDAAAPAM), Skilled Trades, Safety & Compliance Certification Prep (OSHA, HAZMAT, welding, electrical, HVAC) (EDANAIAM)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Apprenticeship program design
• Career pathway planning
• Scholarship program administration
• Industry credentialing support

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: TalentForce is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that generates revenue through donations from individuals, employers, industry partners, and foundations. Donations support scholarships, student access, early exposure programs, educator resources, and workforce program expansion.
2. Partnership and Collaboration Funding: Funding received through partnerships with employers, workforce agencies, government entities, and educational institutions to co-design and scale registered apprenticeship programs and workforce development initiatives.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

TalentForce is a 501(c)(3) charitable workforce development organization that builds talent pipelines for the corrosion and materials protection industry through career pathways, DOL-aligned registered apprenticeship programs, scholarships, and credential-aligned training. The organization operates four career pathways (Protective Coatings, Pipelines & Cathodic Protection, Engineering, and Technology), the EMERG student outreach and scholarship program with cKits and SOAR classroom resources, and apprenticeship pilots launching in Texas, Virginia, and New Jersey. All programs are grounded in AMPP's globally recognized standards and credentials.

Product overview

TalentForce is a 501(c)(3) charitable workforce development organization launched by AMPP to address structural workforce challenges in the corrosion and materials protection industry. The organization operates as a portfolio of interconnected programs including four career pathways (Protective Coatings, Pipelines & Cathodic Protection, Engineering, and Technology), the EMERG student outreach and scholarship program with cKits and SOAR resources, and registered apprenticeship programs aligned to AMPP's globally recognized credentials. Together, these offerings create a comprehensive system from early student exposure through career advancement and leadership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EMERG: Student outreach program that expands access to materials protection careers through scholarships, educator resources, conference experiences, and mentorship. Has awarded over $1.99 million in scholarships to 702 students since 2005.
• EMERG Scholarship Program
• cKit
• SOAR

Products and services

• EMERG Scholarship Program Scholarship program expanding access to education in corrosion and protective coatings, having awarded more than $1,999,939 funding 702 scholarships since 2005. Designed for students pursuing studies in materials protection and corrosion-related fields.
• Protective Coatings Career Pathway Career pathway with two tracks (Application and Inspection) preparing professionals to apply and inspect high-performance coatings that protect pipelines, tanks, bridges, ships, and industrial facilities. Designed for individuals seeking careers in protective coatings.
• Pipelines & Cathodic Protection Career Pathway Career pathway training professionals for work in corrosion control and cathodic protection systems that keep pipelines safe, reliable, and operating around the clock. Designed for individuals pursuing pipeline integrity and cathodic protection careers.
• Engineering Career Pathway Career pathway preparing professionals to design, evaluate, and optimize materials, protective systems, and infrastructure for long-term performance, spanning from entry-level associate to principal/lead engineer roles. Designed for engineering professionals in materials and corrosion protection.
• Technology Career Pathway Career pathway addressing emerging roles in digital inspection tools, robotics, advanced data systems, sensors, and AI-driven integrity programs reshaping corrosion control and materials protection. Designed for technology-focused professionals entering the industry.
• Registered Apprenticeship Programs DOL-aligned registered apprenticeship pilots co-designed with employers around real workforce needs with earn-while-you-learn models. Pilots launching in Texas, Virginia, and New Jersey. Designed for employers seeking structured apprenticeship pipelines and career seekers pursuing earn-while-you-learn credentials.
• AMPP-Recognized Credentials and Training Training aligned to globally recognized AMPP benchmarks preparing workers to perform from day one, including stackable credentials that grow with experience. Designed for career seekers and professionals pursuing industry-recognized certifications in corrosion and materials protection.
• EMERG Travel Assistance Program Program providing up to $25,000 annually to offset costs of student attendance at the AMPP Annual Conference + Expo, with maximum $300 per recipient. Designed for students attending the industry's largest gathering to gain exposure and networking.

Quantifiable outcome

• 702 students funded and nearly $2M in scholarships awarded since 2005
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• AMPP (Association for Materials Protection and Performance)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2026AMPP is the parent organization that launched TalentForce as a dedicated 501(c)(3) charitable organization. With 150+ years of combined expertise, AMPP provides the standards, credentials, and industry authority that underpin all TalentForce workforce development programs. TalentForce represents AMPP's strategic initiative to address the workforce dimension of corrosion protection, operating as a connected system where TalentForce grows the workforce while generating insight into future needs that inform AMPP's training and credentials evolution.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Helmets to Hardhats: Helmets to Hardhats connects military veterans to careers in the building and construction trades through registered apprenticeships. Most directly comparable to TalentForce as a nonprofit operating registered apprenticeship programs in skilled industrial trades with employer-union partnerships.
• SkillsUSA: SkillsUSA is a nonprofit partnership of students, teachers, and industry focused on preparing America’s future skilled workforce through career and technical education. Comparable to TalentForce in its student scholarship programs, educator resources (analogous to cKits), and industry-aligned credentialing pathways.
• National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER): NCCER is a nonprofit that develops standardized curriculum and credentials for the construction and maintenance industries through registered apprenticeship programs. Most analogous to TalentForce in its credential-aligned training, employer partnerships, and role as the standards authority for a specific skilled trades vertical.

Broad incumbents

• Year Up: Year Up is a large 501(c)(3) workforce development nonprofit providing training and apprenticeship pathways for young adults into skilled careers. While broader in scope than TalentForce, it serves the same structural function of connecting employers facing talent shortages with career-seekers through employer-co-designed programs.
• Jobs for the Future (JFF): Jobs for the Future is a national nonprofit driving workforce development and economic transformation through research, policy, and program design. Comparable as a national-scale nonprofit working on apprenticeship expansion and employer-driven training systems across multiple industries.
• Per Scholas: Per Scholas is a national nonprofit providing tuition-free technical training and pathways to careers in technology and skilled trades. Comparable to TalentForce in its nonprofit, employer-partnership-driven model and focus on creating talent pipelines for in-demand industries.
• Generation You Employed (Generation): Generation is a global nonprofit operating employer-driven training programs across multiple skilled trades and technical fields. Directly comparable to TalentForce in its employer-co-designed curriculum approach and focus on placing career-seekers into high-demand infrastructure and industrial occupations.
• ApprenticeshipUSA (U.S. Department of Labor): ApprenticeshipUSA is the federal government's registered apprenticeship program administered by the Department of Labor. TalentForce's apprenticeship pilots are explicitly DOL-aligned with this program, making it a key infrastructure partner and competitive reference point for registered apprenticeship models.

Others

• American Association of Community Colleges (AACC): AACC represents community colleges that serve as primary training infrastructure for skilled trades and technical careers. Relevant as a potential channel partner for TalentForce's credential-aligned pathways and as the broader ecosystem of institutions performing similar workforce development work.

Emerging players

• TRN (Trade Ready Network) / TradesFutures: TradesFutures is a nonprofit coalition focused on expanding awareness and pathways into skilled trades careers. Directly comparable to TalentForce in its purpose pillar of making trades careers more visible and addressing early-career pipeline gaps for in-demand technical occupations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TalentForceOrg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TalentForceOrg
• Facebookfacebook.com/TalentForceOrg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/talentforceorg
• Instagraminstagram.com/talentforceorg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 TalentForce