GHRO Forward

GHRO Forward is a bold expansion of our GHRO Your Future program, designed specifically for young women ages 18–26 who are transitioning into adulthood and aging out of traditional support systems, yet still need guidance, access, and opportunity to reach their full potential.

This next-phase initiative extends Femergy’s workforce and life-readiness pipeline, bridging the critical gap between high school and career by providing mentorship, hands-on skills training, professional networking, and pathways to economic independence.

Through GHRO Forward, we empower emerging women leaders to not only secure meaningful employment but also to build sustainable futures as innovators, professionals, and changemakers in Central Ohio’s workforce and economy.

Why is GHRO Forward needed?

In Central Ohio, access to career pathways is uneven.

Nearly one in five young adults in the region is disconnected from both school and work
More than 40% of entry level jobs require postsecondary credentials or specialized training.
From 2020 to 2025, Ohio’s joint vocational enrollment grew by more than 18%, with some regional centers increasing by 50%. Over 45,000 students are currently waitlisted statewide for career technical programs, leaving many young women without affordable entry points into high skill fields.

Nationwide, women represent 33% of junior-level workers, and only 24% of mid-level roles and 15% of senior leadership. This gap is not due to lack of talent, but to structural barriers including limited exposure to career pathways, lack of credentialed earn-and-learn opportunities, transportation and childcare constraints, and workplace climates that do not support advancement. Without intentional access to training, mentorship, and work-based learning, many young women cycle through low wage jobs without pathways to advancement.

What is the GHRO Forward model?

We recognize that women’s success in high-demand industries is driven by a combination of technical credentials; professional and life skills, confidence, agency, and advocacy capacity; and trusted employer-connected placement partners.

Through a three-phase model with wraparound supports, participants build foundations, earn industry credentials, and increase job retention. Employer-connected partners remove common workplace barriers, positioning women for sustainable careers, advancement, and generational impact. The program is delivered through a strategic partnership with Goodwill Columbus, a trusted regional leader in workforce development and employer-connected credentialing.

GHRO Forward isn't just a training program—it is a mobility model built for women’s realities and career acceleration. If you're interested in 2026 programming, please fill out the interest form below.