Central Ohio is changing quickly. Major investments in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, technology, and infrastructure are reshaping the region’s economy and creating new pressure on workforce systems to help employers find talent while connecting residents to career opportunities that offer long-term stability and growth.
Led by CEO, Lisa Patt-McDaniel, ASPYR is leading this work across Franklin County and the broader Central Ohio region.
As one of the founding members of Midwest Urban Strategies (MUS), ASPYR has spent years helping build workforce strategies that respond directly to regional economic demand. Today, the organization is helping shape how workforce development is delivered in a region experiencing rapid transformation tied to employers including Intel, Honda, Google, and Anduril.
That work takes many forms. ASPYR oversees the OhioMeansJobs Columbus Franklin County Job Center, which served more than 12,000 visitors in 2025 through hiring events, workforce workshops, career coaching, and training services. Employer engagement remains a significant part of the work, with nearly 300 employers utilizing workforce services and hiring support throughout the year. The Job Center also maintained a 94% customer satisfaction rating.
Recently selected to lead the Central Ohio WorkOhio Hub, ASPYR is helping simplify how residents access workforce services, career navigation, and training opportunities throughout the region. The initiative supports a more coordinated approach to workforce access designed to better connect people to opportunity as workforce demand continues evolving.
When it comes to youth workforce development and services, ASPYR recently redesigned its Achieve More and Prosper (AMP) program. They restructured around industries that were experiencing a sustained workforce demand, which included, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, biotech, energy, construction, and skilled trades. More than 3,500 young people participated in AMP programming, with hundreds earning credentials or measurable skill gains connected to workforce and education pathways.
Healthcare remains in high demand throughout the region. Through the Healthcare Career Collaborative of Central Ohio, ASPYR works with healthcare systems and schools to introduce students to healthcare careers through hands-on exploration, employer engagement, and career pathway programming. Nearly 2,000 students participated in healthcare career exploration activities connected to the initiative.
Apprenticeship expansion also continues across healthcare, manufacturing, education, and skilled trades industries. ASPYR’s apprenticeship efforts help employers strengthen talent pipelines while creating Earn and Learn career pathways connected to in-demand occupations throughout the region.
While ASPYR’s workforce initiatives span multiple industries and strategies, the broader focus remains consistent: helping Central Ohio residents connect to opportunity while supporting employers navigating a rapidly changing economy.
That work has also helped shape ASPYR’s internal culture. ASPYR recently received a “Best Places to Work” designation from Columbus Business First based on a detailed staff survey. Employees identified meaningful work and a collaborative, supportive workplace culture among the organization’s defining strengths.
ASPYR also credits collaboration and shared learning as an important part of its long-standing involvement with Midwest Urban Strategies. As a founding MUS member, the organization values staying connected to workforce conversations taking place across the network while continuing to exchange ideas, strategies, and best practices with peers across the country.
Throughout its work, ASPYR continues emphasizing innovation, workforce accessibility, and long-term economic mobility while helping position Central Ohio’s workforce system for continued growth and change.
Learn more about ASPYR Workforce Innovation, read their Annual Report: https://aspyrworkforce.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/14596-Aspyr-Annual-Report_2025B.pdf
