CVS Health Unveils New Workforce Innovation and Talent Center in Columbus to Empower Local Communities Through Job Training and Health Services
In a powerful step toward strengthening community health and economic resilience, CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) has officially opened the doors to its Workforce Innovation and Talent Center (WITC) in Columbus, Ohio. This transformative initiative is housed within the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority’s (CMHA) Rosewind Community Center and aims to provide free workforce development training, hands-on job readiness experiences, and access to health and social support services for local residents.
This new WITC isn’t just another job skills facility—it represents a multi-sector, purpose-driven effort to create long-term pathways to economic empowerment, particularly for historically underserved populations. In collaboration with several leading local workforce organizations, including Eckerd Connects, Columbus Jewish Family Services, Columbus State Community College, and YouthBuild, CVS Health is building a scalable model for inclusive employment and sustainable health outcomes.
A Lifeline for Career Advancement: One Woman’s Journey
For Triunity Darden, the launch of this center is more than a symbolic milestone—it’s personal. Her journey to stability and self-fulfillment began with uncertainty and struggle. Like many in her community, Triunity faced job insecurity and lacked access to meaningful career guidance. But her turning point came when she connected with Eckerd Connects, a workforce development partner helping people navigate challenges and develop new life and career skills.
“Finding a job I enjoy was challenging,” Darden recalled. “Then after losing my previous job, I knew Eckerd was my first step toward change. The program supports you in going back to school, finding a job or building a career path. Through their support and guidance, I realized that it was okay to rebuild and not have everything figured out.”
Today, she’s a certified pharmacy technician at CVS Health, a role that brings her pride and purpose. Her personal transformation has also inspired her sister to pursue a similar path. “Now that I’m a certified pharmacy technician, I feel accomplished and motivated to advance in my career. Knowing I’m making a difference in people’s lives at CVS Pharmacy—often in unseen ways—keeps me going,” she added.
Triunity’s story is emblematic of what the WITC aims to deliver: not just jobs, but careers with purpose, stability, and growth.
Building Skills, Changing Lives: Inside the Columbus WITC
The Workforce Innovation and Talent Center is designed to meet learners and job seekers where they are. Offering free workforce training programs, the center focuses on in-demand roles such as:
- Pharmacy technicians
- Retail store associates
- Customer service representatives
- Call center associates
The facility includes a simulated CVS retail environment, which gives participants practical, real-world experience that mirrors what they’ll encounter on the job. Through this immersive training, individuals not only learn technical skills but also develop customer service acumen, problem-solving capabilities, and confidence.
Each participant who completes training through the WITC becomes eligible to apply for a role within the CVS Health network—unlocking opportunities that span from entry-level positions to long-term career advancement in healthcare, administration, and leadership.
An Integrated Approach: Health Services and Workforce Development Under One Roof
One of the standout features of the new Columbus WITC is its co-location with Aetna’s new Community Resource Center, a public facility that complements workforce training with a range of supportive services designed to address social determinants of health. Aetna, a CVS Health company, is working to ensure that employment support is paired with access to:
- Health needs assessments and wellness education
- Assistance with navigating healthcare benefits
- Access to digital tools, including computers and teleconferencing
- Connections to local healthcare and community providers
This dual approach—combining job training and healthcare access—helps eliminate barriers that often prevent individuals from achieving economic and physical well-being.
“At our new WITC, we’re dedicated to helping individuals build skills for in-demand jobs, like pharmacy technicians,” said Sheryl Burke, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Chief Sustainability Officer at CVS Health. “Working alongside the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority and various local workforce organizations, we aim to make it easier for community members to access and find meaningful employment.”
A Model of Community Collaboration and Economic Impact
The opening of the Columbus WITC is the product of a deeply rooted partnership between CVS Health and the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, which has long been committed to improving quality of life for residents in Franklin County.
“CMHA is committed to improving the quality of life for Franklin County residents and all of our community, and we’re honored to support the grand opening of the Columbus WITC as part of that mission,” said James L. Ervin, Jr., Board Chair of CMHA. “In today’s rapidly evolving economy, the strength of local communities depends on a skilled, agile, and adaptive workforce. The new Columbus WITC will be a tremendous resource for individuals and employers across central Ohio, creating opportunities for skill development, career advancement, and long-term economic growth.”
By positioning the WITC within an existing CMHA site, the initiative ensures proximity to the very communities it intends to uplift. It offers convenience and accessibility to residents who may otherwise struggle to reach job training sites located far from home or without public transit connections.
A Broader Commitment to Health Equity and Economic Empowerment in Ohio
The Columbus WITC is just one element of CVS Health’s broader investment strategy in Ohio and across the country. The company’s commitment to the state spans both health and housing initiatives, underpinned by the belief that health begins at home and in the community.
To date, CVS Health has invested over $79 million in affordable housing across Ohio, which has helped create, preserve, or renovate nearly 1,900 housing units for individuals and families in need. These investments serve as a foundation for economic stability, reducing housing insecurity and enabling individuals to pursue education, employment, and preventive healthcare.
In addition, CVS Health continues to operate its Project Health program in Ohio and nationwide. This initiative provides free biometric screenings, blood pressure tests, glucose and cholesterol checks, and health education to thousands of people annually. In 2024 alone, CVS Health hosted 54 Project Health events across Ohio, engaging more than 1,400 participants and administering over 5,000 free health screenings.
This integrated approach to health and workforce empowerment reflects a growing industry trend—corporate stakeholders taking a more active role in community development and population health, especially in response to the labor shortages and health disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Columbus WITC is not an isolated initiative. It is part of CVS Health’s national workforce innovation strategy, which aims to expand access to job opportunities and promote equity in healthcare and employment. Similar centers and programs have launched or are in development across other U.S. cities, including Detroit, Atlanta, and Houston—each tailored to the unique needs of its community while maintaining a shared mission.
By combining on-the-ground partnerships, strategic investments, and comprehensive support systems, CVS Health is creating a replicable blueprint for how private-sector organizations can help bridge the gap between health access, education, and meaningful employment.
With the launch of its new Workforce Innovation and Talent Center in Columbus, CVS Health has taken another critical step toward building healthier, more resilient communities. By bringing together workforce development, health services, and community engagement under one roof, the company is redefining what it means to be a healthcare leader in the 21st century.
For residents like Triunity Darden, the center is more than a building—it’s a symbol of possibility, second chances, and shared success. And for Columbus, it marks the beginning of a more connected, empowered, and healthier future.
