As Central Ohio continues to experience rapid growth, ensuring that economic prosperity reaches everyone in our community remains one of our region’s most critical challenges and greatest opportunities.
Recently, Goodwill Columbus President and CEO Ryan Burgess sat down with 10 WBNS’s Boomtown to discuss economic growth, the state of the I/DD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) community, and how expanding workforce inclusion benefits our entire region. Alongside fellow community leaders—including Dot Yeager, Superintendent of the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities (FCBDD), and Pete Moore, President of the Ohio Provider Resource Association (OPRA)—the discussion tackled the labor force gap, employer hesitation, and the foundational pillars needed to build a truly inclusive economy.
Here are the key takeaways from the conversation:
1. The Stark Labor Force Gap
While Central Ohio’s growth is booming, a major disparity remains visible when looking at workforce participation statistics:
- Individuals without disabilities: 69% labor force participation
- Individuals with disabilities: 39% labor force participation
This 30-point gap represents an immense, untapped pool of talent. Bridging it is not just a matter of equity—it is an economic necessity for employers struggling to fill critical roles across healthcare, logistics, technology, and more.
2. Shifting Employer Mindsets: “Always Be Educating, Always Be Advocating”
During National Disability Employment Awareness Month (and all year round), a central question arises: Why are employers still hesitant to hire people with disabilities?
Often, the challenge is simply awareness. Building an inclusive workforce takes intention and a supportive company culture. Fortunately, employers don’t have to navigate it alone. Organizations like Goodwill Columbus, FCBDD, and OPRA provide the resources, training, and ongoing support needed to help companies build confidence, welcome diverse talent, and integrate employees seamlessly into their teams.
3. Fueling the Mission: Programs that Match Regional Demand
Goodwill Columbus is committed to opening doors to careers and new possibilities through targeted training.
- Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator Program: Launched earlier this year, this initiative trains individuals for emerging, high-demand green energy and technical sectors.
- Comprehensive Career Pathways: From digital skills to healthcare and trades, our job training programs are designed to meet regional employer demand while helping people build lives of possibility and purpose.
Looking Ahead
As Ryan Burgess emphasized during the segment, creating equal access to opportunities means working hand-in-hand with local employers, state partners, and community advocates to dismantle barriers.
Whether through expanding innovative programs like our Clean Tech Accelerator, advocating for sustainable provider funding, or partnering with local businesses to close the hiring gap, Goodwill Columbus remains dedicated to building a region where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
About Goodwill Columbus
Goodwill Columbus is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has served the Central Ohio community for nearly 85 years. With more than 1,000 employees, Goodwill Columbus is one of the region’s largest job providers, employing individuals with diverse backgrounds. Goodwill Columbus has 12 retail stores, a last-chance outlet, an ecommerce facility, 8 attended donation centers, 5 I/DD service locations, and free job training services at The South Front Street Job Training Center, The Jerry Hammond Center, The Reeb Center, and 14 Columbus Metropolitan Library locations. The organization is a proud member of Goodwill Industries International, a network of over 150 community-based organizations throughout the United States and Canada that sell donated goods to create job opportunities and training in local communities.