COWIB

What COWIB does

Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board (COWIB), doing business as Oklahoma's Workforce Board, is a private nonprofit workforce development board established in 2014 under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014. The organization operates as the designated local workforce development board for a 34-county service area spanning Central and Western Oklahoma, coordinating workforce programs that connect job seekers (adults, dislocated workers, youth aged 16-24, individuals with disabilities, and refugees) with training providers and employers. Its core products include Job Seeker Services (skills assessment, occupational training, job placement, supportive services), Business Services (training grants via WEX/OJT programs, recruitment assistance through EmployOklahoma.gov, labor market information, Rapid Response/WARN layoff assistance), and American Job Center one-stop access delivered through 10 physical Oklahoma Works Centers plus online channels.

The underlying technology stack relies on Oklahoma Job Match, the state's case management system used to track participant expenses, hours, wages, and case notes across WIOA Title I programs. COWIB does not develop proprietary technology platforms; rather, it operates as a service-delivery layer atop state-provided infrastructure and partners with contracted service providers such as Dynamic Workforce Solutions for Youth Services. The organization also operates a Business Services Network of 60+ partner organizations (educational institutions, government agencies, community-based organizations, tribal nations, and employers) that deliver complementary workforce services.

The business model is grant-funded rather than revenue-generating in the conventional sense. COWIB receives 100% of its WIOA Title I program funding from the U.S. Department of Labor, with PY2026 awards totaling $5,250,682 allocated to Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth programs. All workforce services are provided at no cost to eligible job seekers and businesses, making the organization's revenue essentially equal to its federal grant allocation. The entity has no private equity ownership, no public shareholders, and is governed by a Board of Directors and Board of Chief Elected Officials.

Name

COWIB

Legal name

Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board, Inc.

Website

https://cowib.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

COWIB (Oklahoma's Workforce Board) is a nonprofit workforce development board funded by federal WIOA Title I grants, operating 10 career centers across 34 Oklahoma counties to connect job seekers with training and employers with recruitment and apprenticeship services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Employment Services (5613), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Administration of Human Resource Programs (except Education, Public Health, and Veterans' Affairs Programs) (92313)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Workforce Development Programs (WIOA/One-Stop Career Centers) (EDAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dislocated Worker & Rapid Response / Reemployment Programs (EDAAAOAF), Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships & Work-Based Learning (EDAAAOAC), Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Workforce & Career Transition Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAC), Workforce & Job-Seeker Services (Community-Based) (EDAAAFAM)

Keywords

• Workforce development
• Job placement
• Occupational training
• Apprenticeship programs
• Career services

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Fe

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. WIOA Title I Federal Funding: Oklahoma's Workforce Board is funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I programs from the U.S. Department of Labor. The organization receives federal grants to operate workforce development programs including Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth services.
2. Workforce Development Services: Free services provided to job seekers and businesses including training grants, recruitment assistance, job placement, and career development services funded through federal workforce development allocations.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

COWIB delivers federally-funded workforce development services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I framework for adults, dislocated workers, and youth. Its offerings span job seeker services (skills assessment, occupational training, job placement, supportive services, follow-up support) and business services (WEX/OJT training grants, recruitment assistance through EmployOklahoma.gov, labor market information, WARN/Rapid Response layoff assistance, and retention services). All services are provided free of charge to eligible participants across a 34-county service area in Western and Central Oklahoma through 10 Oklahoma Works American Job Centers.

Product overview

COWIB (Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board) operates as a workforce development organization providing a unified service portfolio under the WIOA Title I framework. The core offerings include Job Seeker Services (skills assessment, occupational training, job placement, supportive services) and Business Services (training grants via WEX/OJT programs, recruitment assistance through EmployOklahoma.gov, labor market information, layoff assistance, retention services). These services are delivered through a network of American Job Centers and a Business Services Network of partner organizations, serving a 34-county area in Western and Central Oklahoma.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Job Seeker Services Services helping job seekers find employment including skills assessment, occupational skills training, job placement, job readiness training, supportive services, and follow-up support. Delivered free of charge to eligible adults, dislocated workers, and youth across COWIB's 34-county service area.
• Business Services Workforce support for employers including WEX/OJT training grants (up to 100% wage coverage for internships), recruitment assistance through EmployOklahoma.gov, labor market information, WARN/Rapid Response layoff assistance, and retention services. Provided free of charge to businesses operating in COWIB's service territory.
• WIOA Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Programs Federally-funded workforce programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act providing employment and training services to adults, dislocated workers, and youth. 100% funded by the U.S. Department of Labor through awards totaling $5,250,682 for PY2026.
• American Job Center Services One-stop access to career resources through 10 Oklahoma Works centers across 34 counties, providing job seekers and employers access to multiple workforce programs and partners. Includes 4 comprehensive centers and affiliate locations with varying hours.
• Training Provider Services Services enabling educational institutions and training organizations to become WIOA-eligible training providers or Registered Apprenticeship sponsors in COWIB's service area.
• Business Services Network Collaborative network connecting businesses with workforce resources and partner organizations throughout Central Oklahoma for hiring, training, and economic development. Includes 60+ partner organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• COWIB supported 68 participants in DRS BEST STEP summer employment programs across 12 counties with 166 employers
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOWIB partners with DRS to provide employment services for people with disabilities. COWIB supported DRS BEST STEP summer employment programs across 12 counties, helping 68 participants connect with 166 employers. COWIB operated payment software to track hours and pay student wages.
• OU Pre-Employment Transition ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DRS Transition programs providing Pre-ETS services to students with disabilities, supporting the BEST STEP employment program.
• Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOWIB worked with CPN and Catholic Charities to help refugees find employment that works with their customs and cultures.
• Catholic Charities Archdiocese of OKCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with COWIB and Citizen Potawatomi Nation to help refugees find gainful employment in Oklahoma.
• Oklahoma Department of CorrectionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with COWIB for Fair Chance Hiring Event at Community Correctional Facilities, helping inmates prepare for employment upon release.
• Workforce Community Hope CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted the Fair Chance Hiring Event venue for returning citizens and community job seekers.
• Goodwill Industries of Central OklahomacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with COWIB for Fair Chance Hiring Event to assist formerly incarcerated individuals with employment opportunities.
• Dynamic Workforce SolutionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCurrent service provider for Youth Services, operating as the contracted service provider for WIOA Title I programs.
• Oklahoma Manufacturing AlliancestrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiated collaborative project with COWIB to create Registered Apprenticeship Programs with local manufacturers.
• Harrison Consulting GroupstrategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnered with COWIB and Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance to facilitate Registered Apprenticeship Program development with employers.
• Oklahoma Works American Job CenterscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of 10 career centers providing one-stop access to workforce services, with 60+ partner organizations including educational institutions, government agencies, and community organizations.
• Urban League of Greater Oklahoma CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting maintaining local workforce development boards, emphasizing role in meeting regional needs and fostering partnerships.
• OIC of Oklahoma CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting local workforce development boards and regional workforce services.
• TEEMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in workforce initiatives and reentry programs.
• Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCore partner providing unemployment services and job search resources at Oklahoma Works Centers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Fund for Workforce Solutions: National nonprofit workforce intermediary funding regional collaboratives that connect employers, training providers, and workers. Comparable as a funder/coordinator of the same sector employer-led workforce initiatives COWIB operates locally.
• Maximus: Public-sector services contractor operating federal workforce, unemployment, and human services programs for state and federal agencies. Comparable as a scaled incumbent executing WIOA-adjacent workforce contracts nationwide.
• Sevita (formerly ResCare): National provider of home and community-based services including workforce and vocational rehabilitation programs for people with disabilities. Comparable on the disability employment services side of COWIB's portfolio (DRS partnership).

Direct peers

• America Works: Private workforce development and job placement firm serving TANF, reentry, and other government-funded populations with employment services. Comparable business model focused on subsidized workforce outcomes rather than traditional staffing.
• Jewish Vocational Service (JVS): Nonprofit workforce development organization providing job training, placement, and career services to underserved populations including refugees, immigrants, and people with disabilities. Comparable mission and service mix to COWIB's job-seeker and refugee/disability programs.
• Dynamic Workforce Solutions: National WIOA Title I youth and workforce services operator and current contracted Youth Services provider for COWIB. Direct peer because it runs the same federally funded WIOA programs for other local workforce boards under similar contractual arrangements.
• CareerSource Florida: State-designated WIOA workforce development board network in Florida operating 24 Local Workforce Development Boards. Functions as a structurally identical local workforce board to COWIB but at a larger state-network scale.
• Goodwill Industries International: Nonprofit federation operating workforce development, job training, and reentry employment programs across the U.S. Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma is already a COWIB Fair Chance Hiring Event partner, making it a directly comparable workforce services peer.

Emerging players

• SourceAmerica: AbilityOne-program nonprofit creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities through government contracts. Comparable as a specialized workforce intermediary focused on disability employment similar to COWIB's DRS BEST STEP programming.
• Apprenti: Nonprofit apprenticeship intermediary creating tech and trades Registered Apprenticeship programs. Directly comparable on COWIB's apprenticeship-development track with Oklahoma manufacturers and skilled trades employers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCOBPn9RA_lWqnyecWfKiMZA/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/COWIBOKlahoma
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cowibok
• Instagraminstagram.com/centraloklahomaworks

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about COWIB