October 2, 2026
Future Plans’ new Talent Assessment Map on GRITOhio.org is a live, county-level workforce intelligence tool that combines career interest data and aptitude data collected through the Future Plans assessment process. This map is unique because it not; it also reveals where talent already exists and where untapped potential may be hiding within Ohio communities.
What the Map Illustrates
The Talent Assessment Map allows users to view statewide data, select a single county, analyze multiple counties together, or create custom regional views by grouping neighboring counties. For each selected area, users can see career interests by cluster, the percentage of participants favoring specific fields, and ability matches within those same fields. Because the map is connected to the Future Plans assessment platform, it updates as more assessments are completed.
Interest vs. Ability Match
One of the map’s most valuable features is its comparison between favorite careers—what participants say they want to do—and ability matches, or careers where assessment results indicate strong aptitude. This comparison helps identify potential exposure gaps: places where people may have the natural ability to succeed in a field but may not yet see it as an option.
Who Can Use the Map?
Economic Developers and Employers
Economic development professionals can use the map to determine whether a region has an existing talent pipeline before recruiting employers or supporting business expansion. Employers and industry partners can identify counties with strong aptitude alignment for their sector, then use that insight to target recruitment, build internships and apprenticeships, develop local workforce pipelines, and partner with schools or career navigators.
Schools, Workforce Boards, and Community Organizations
Career navigators, counselors, and educators can use the map to identify industries where students demonstrate strong aptitude but limited awareness. That insight can guide educators in planning career fairs, job shadowing, work-based learning, and discovery events. The GRIT team can also use the map data during 1-on-1 coaching, helping students connect their interests and abilities to opportunities available in their region.
Workforce development boards can also use the data to align training investments, credential programs, apprenticeships, and outreach efforts with sectors where talent already exists. Summer program providers and community organizations can identify high-potential industry sectors in their service area and build programming around those opportunities.
Understanding Regional Talent Pools
The map is especially useful because workforce patterns often extend beyond county borders. Users can view one county at a time, combine neighboring counties, or create regional talent pools based on commuting patterns and workforce flows. This helps communities better understand the broader workforce ecosystem feeding local employment opportunities.
With this data, communities can ask stronger questions: Where does our workforce come from? Which neighboring counties supply talent to our employers? Which industry sectors show the greatest hidden potential? Where should we focus workforce development investments? By turning assessment data into practical workforce intelligence, the Talent Assessment Map helps local leaders connect people to careers that fit their interests, abilities, and communities.
For more information or help using this map, contact us by filling out the Get Involved Today form at: https://www.gritohio.org/.
