OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — CVS Health announced Tuesday the opening of its two new Workforce Innovation Talent Centers (WITCs) and one Community Resource Center in Oklahoma City. These centers, situated at the Oklahoma Human Services’ Workforce Community Hope Center and within Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma headquarters located at 777 NW 63rd Street in Oklahoma City, will improve access to workforce training and services to the community. Each participant will also have access to comprehensive health and supportive services at the company’s new Community Resource Center to help them take proactive steps toward a healthier future.

These WITCs will transform people’s lives in the Oklahoma City community, like Romeo Spears, whose path started with attending a Work Ready Oklahoma informational session that placed him in a CVS Health shadowing program. With his mother and brother working within the pharmacy technician field, Romeo credits his strong family ties that propelled him to explore how he could receive help to reach his goal of working within this field.

As a pharmacy technician at CVS Health for nine months now, Romeo shares, “I had an amazing experience with CVS. Through their program, I learned to be empathetic with customers and developed strong service skills. The best part of my new role is being able to help people. These new centers will greatly benefit future pharmacy technicians in Oklahoma City.”

Each new center will train individuals in collaboration with Oklahoma Human Services’ initiative, Work Ready Oklahoma seeking employment as pharmacy technicians, customer service associates, call center associates, and retail associates. A simulated retail store within each location will offer hands-on job training and each participant who completes the program can apply for a position at CVS Health.

“Many studies show that creating pathways to career opportunities in communities can help people focus on their health,” said Sheryl Burke, SVP of Corporate Social Responsibility and Chief Sustainability Officer at CVS Health. “Our collaboration with Oklahoma Human Services and Work Ready Oklahoma will further help eliminate any barriers to employment opportunities and improve health outcomes for the Oklahoma community.”

In addition to workforce training, all participants will receive access to the company’s Community Resource Center to help workforce development participants succeed outside their work. Located within Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma’s headquarters, the Community Resource Center services include health needs assessments and education, assistance navigating their health benefits, access to computers and state-of-the-art teleconferencing, and connections to a network of local health care providers. This comprehensive approach ensures participants have the tools and resources to thrive in all aspects of their lives.

“Oklahoma Human Services is incredibly proud of the partnership between its Work Ready Oklahoma initiative and CVS Health and the many ways it amplifies our efforts to help clients create pathways to their goals and remove barriers to their success,” said Deb Smith, Deputy Director of Oklahoma Human Services. “This innovative training model and the support provided by our agencies beautifully complement the intent and purpose of our Workforce Community Hope Center and will provide an even deeper level of service to the community. We are excited to be part of the team cheering clients to success in their new careers.”

As CVS Health opens its latest workforce centers, the company is actively exploring opportunities to expand this programming to serve the surrounding Oklahoma City community. CVS Health’s workforce programming has already created pathways to employment in more than 1,150 communities across the U.S. over the past decades. In 2023, in collaboration with federal, state and local agencies, nonprofit, faith-based and career development organizations, the company streamlined access to meaningful employment for more than 1,400 individuals.

“CVS’s commitment to their staff and the communities they serve aligns well with Work Ready Oklahoma’s focus to help families access opportunities for self-sufficiency,” said Shane Phillips, Senior Manager of Strategic Engagement and Workforce Systems at Work Ready Oklahoma. “They have outstanding career opportunities and are committed to building up their staff as well as the communities they serve. This investment in OKC will have longstanding impacts, and Work Ready Oklahoma is excited to collaborate with CVS and the Community Hope Center to help bring this resource to our city.”