Aspire Ability is a Community Talent Marketplace Solution with a goal to increase the incomes of 1 million people by 30% or more through jobs with thriving, family-sustaining wages.
Aspire Ability works with rural and disadvantaged communities to help them address the chronic employment needs they face. The Community Talent Marketplace includes a suite of software and surrounding services, connects job seekers to available jobs by matching their competencies with employers' needs.
In lieu of posting resumes, job seekers create competency profiles that enumerate their competencies and attributes (supported by evidence such as certificates and badges, work product, etc.). Instead of traditional job requirements, employers post job competency maps that detail requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs). Both job seekers and employers can see reports summarizing how well they match the competency requirements for specific jobs. This approach yields more transparent, objective, data-driven decision-making in the hiring process.
If job seekers lack some of the competencies for a desired job, they are provided a personalized upskilling plan that addresses the specific gaps in their KSAs. Aspire Ability works with learning providers (postsecondary institutions and commercial providers) to connect job seekers with learning resources and opportunities aligned with those KSAs.
The model includes: