COLUMBUS, OH — Mid-Ohio Food Collective, in partnership with The Ohio State University, Schmidt Futures, Columbus State Community College, Franklin University, Smart Columbus, and the United Way, is launching a platform to improve access to resources that help adults gain the expertise needed to advance their career mobility. The platform will directly address the hurdles and root causes that prevent many from attaining education and job skills that lead to a competitive income. To ensure ReadySkill
users have the support and connections they need into high-growth careers, additional launch partners are participating in this innovative platform and strategy, including Kroger, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio, AT&T, Safelite, IGS Energy, Udacity, Columbus Urban League, Feeding America, Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio, and Jewish Family Service.
ReadySkill is a bold initiative that puts learners at the center by meeting them where they are. Utilizing one easy-to-use mobile platform, ReadySkill learners can access life assistance for the challenges that often make it difficult to complete their education — access to food, housing, healthcare, childcare,
transportation, and more, and in turn, compete in the market.
“ReadySkill uses a customer-centric model to create pathways to success that are the most convenient for those who use it,” said Matt Habash, President & CEO of Mid-Ohio Food Collective. “We are grateful to have so many amazing partners in the community who are committed to creating more equitable access to education while also addressing the social determinants of health that prevent so many from moving out of poverty into thriving employment.”
The app also provides personalized equitable access to career coaching and mentorship to prepare the talent of today for the market opportunities of tomorrow. Users begin by entering their current skills and interests, and the platform guides them in selecting the best future career path and educational program for them. Once enrolled, ReadySkill leverages data—giving employers the ability to track the learner’s progress and recruit them for open positions within the app.
“ReadySkill places the information and resources needed to find careers in the palm of the student’s hand,” said Nick Davis, Chief Platform Officer at Mid-Ohio Food Collective. “By increasing access to these growing industries, we are giving our neighbors who are struggling opportunities to prepare for the jobs of the future.
Some sample educational programs include project management, Salesforce Administration, Tableau data analytics, UX design, digital marketing, and more.
ReadySkill’s first pathway program will be launching this September in partnership with Feeding America, Franklin University, Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio, and Jewish Family Services. The program is funded by HSBC Bank, Microsoft, and Safelite and aims to upskill (50) learners into high-growth careers here in Central Ohio. The program will run for four months and end with each participant getting an industry-recognized credential from Franklin University. There will be a special focus on recruiting individuals from communities of need. Individuals interested in applying to the program can visit readyskill.io to learn more.
About Mid-Ohio Food Collective
Mid-Ohio Food Collective is the umbrella organization that holds five assets, Mid-Ohio Foodbank, our anchor asset, Mid-Ohio Farm, Mid-Ohio Markets, Mid-Ohio Farmacy, and Mid-Ohio Kitchen. The Mid-Ohio Food Collective has a network of 680 partner agencies across 20 counties, connecting those in need to nutritious food.
Learn more by visiting mofc.org
WHAT PARTNERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE READYSKILL PLATFORM:
Dr. Tiffany Inglis, Anthem Medical Director:
“Education is the key to solving nearly all social drivers of health, including but not limited to food and housing insecurity,” said Dr. Tiffany Inglis, Anthem medical director. “The education and job skills ReadySkill offers have the power to break the cycle of need for so many people and addressing these issues holistically is the only way to solve them. We’re excited to be a part of this effort because it fits perfectly with our goal to build healthier lives and communities in central Ohio.”
Amy McCormick, Corporate Affairs Manager, The Kroger Co.
“In today’s retail market, we’re always looking for qualified and diverse talent. ReadySkill will give more folks the opportunity to get skilled for the jobs of the future, strengthening our workforce and our communities.”
Jon Cardi, Senior Vice President at Safelite
“The importance of finding, recruiting, and retaining the best talent at a faster pace is ever more crucial in today’s highly competitive employment market. When you combine that with the latest trends around the Future of Work and the need for faster skill development, tools like ReadySkill are a much needed new approach to addressing these issues.”
