CVS Health® announced the opening of its new Workforce Innovation and Talent Center (WITC) in Columbus, located at the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority’s Rosewind Community Center. The WITC will provide the community access to free workforce training and health services in collaboration with various local workforce organizations, such as Eckerd Connects, Columbus Jewish and Family Services, Columbus State Community College, YouthBuild and more.
The WITC will transform lives in the Columbus community, like that of Triunity Darden. Her journey began while trying to navigate herself on a better path into adulthood. Now, as a pharmacy technician at CVS Health, Triunity is not only making progress on her own journey, but her sister is also following in her footsteps toward pursuing the same career.
“Finding a job I enjoy was challenging, and 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,” Darden said. “Through their support and guidance, I realized that it was okay to rebuild and not have everything figured out. 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.”
The new WITC will provide free training for individuals seeking employment as pharmacy technicians, customer service associates, call center associates and retail associates. A simulated retail store location will offer hands-on job training to create experiences resembling real-world scenarios.
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Every participant who completes the WITC program has an opportunity to apply for a position at CVS Health and will also have access to Aetna’s new Community Resource Center. This center is available to the public, and its services include health needs assessments and education, assistance navigating health benefits, access to computers and state-of-the-art teleconferencing, and connections to a network of local health care providers.
“At our new WITC, we’re dedicated to helping individuals build skills for in-demand jobs, like Pharmacy Technicians,” said Sheryl Burke, SVP 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.”
“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 CMHA Board Chair James L. Ervin, Jr. “In today’s rapidly evolving economy, the strength of local communities depends on a skilled, agile, and adaptive workforce,” Ervin added. “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.”
Working with the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority builds on CVS Health and Aetna’s long history of community support in Ohio. To date, CVS Health has invested more than $79 million in affordable housing across Ohio, helping to create, preserve and renovate nearly 1,900 housing units. The company also offers free health screenings to individuals nationwide through its Project Health initiative. Last year, CVS Health hosted 54 Project Health events, which saw over 1,400 participants and provided 5,000 screenings in Ohio.
Source: PRNewswire
