About

Kara Gooch, Founder & CEO of Route to Rise Workforce Solutions

As a seasoned workforce development professional and former Apprenticeship Experience Lead at Accenture, I bring a wealth of experience in designing high-impact training and support structures that drive tangible results for early career professionals and their organizations. My work at Accenture contributed directly to the creation of a dedicated role supporting apprentices, enhancing their experiences through over 200 cross-collaboration and targeted learning sessions since May 2023. This experience honed my ability to develop talent, foster adaptive thinking, and improve key performance and staffing outcomes.

In 2024 alone, I equipped more than 200 Early Valuable Professionals with essential corporate skills, focusing on analytical thinking, storytelling, and goal-setting strategies. By instilling debate tactics, adaptive questioning, and analytical skills, I enable apprentices to confidently navigate corporate structures and showcase their unique value. My deep understanding of skills-based hiring and hands-on approach ensures that I can help organizations cultivate resilient, adaptable workforces ready to tackle tomorrow’s challenges.

About Route to Rise Workforce Solutions

Route to Rise specializes in equipping Early Valuable Professionals (EVPs) without four-year degrees to become future-ready leaders. With a focus on trust, impact, and power, we create safe learning spaces that bridge the empathy gap often found between new hires and senior leaders. Our programs are designed to tackle the unique challenges of skills-based hires, providing them with the tools to thrive and the organizations they work for with a foundation for sustainable success.

Key Programs

• Change Impact Awareness: Equips EVPs to recognize and leverage change-driven language within their organizations, enabling them to participate meaningfully in solution-driven discussions and enhance their engagement during team meetings. This program fosters analytical thinking and prepares EVPs to deliver impactful solutions.
• Fortified and Future-Ready: A mental fortitude training that helps EVPs develop resilience and adaptability. This program addresses self-doubt, teaching participants to pair intentional goals with their current thought patterns to overcome obstacles. It emphasizes building a mindset that withstands corporate challenges and focuses on resilience, flexibility, and agility.
• Starting Right: Essentials for Success Workshop: A 3-day immersive workshop that introduces early career professionals to five core principles—Stewardship Mindset, Trust & Transparency, Advocacy & Support, Responsibility & Ownership, and Teamwork & Collaboration. This foundational program empowers EVPs to contribute effectively from day one, aligning their goals with the organization’s mission.
• Alumni Advantage: A consulting service for workforce partners and corporations to retain and engage apprentice alumni post-program. This program supports the establishment of advisory councils and alumni networks, fostering long-term connections and commitment while enabling organizations to source local upskilling opportunities and engage alumni as advocates for organizational growth.

Our Services

• Consulting on Workforce Strategy Development: Tailored solutions for building and improving workforce strategies, especially for organizations seeking to enhance skills-based hiring practices and EVP retention.
  Best for corporations, workforce organizations, and the Gen Z workforce.
• Training and Curriculum Curation: Developing customized training modules and program curricula to address unique workplace challenges, including adaptability, resilience, and skills alignment.
  Best for HR teams, training departments, and organizations seeking to engage the Gen Z workforce.
• Career Coaching for Early Professionals: One-on-one and group coaching that empowers early career professionals to navigate corporate environments, develop career resilience, and achieve success in their roles.
  Best for Gen Z workforce, universities, and apprenticeship programs.
• Content Marketing for Workforce Development Initiatives: Creating and managing targeted content that highlights workforce programs and promotes engagement from both EVPs and corporate partners.
  Best for workforce development organizations, HR departments, and companies focusing on EVP engagement.
• Partnership Management: Strategic partnership development to expand workforce program reach, ensure alignment with organizational goals, and secure meaningful collaborations.
  Best for workforce organizations and companies interested in impactful workforce partnerships.
• Funding Research and Proposal Writing: Identifying and securing grants and funding sources for workforce development and training initiatives to sustain and grow programs.
  Best for workforce organizations, non-profits, and companies supporting skills-based hiring.

Partnership Opportunities

We invite organizations committed to the development of future-ready leaders to partner with us in:

• Customized Training Programs for skills-based hiring, adaptability, and leadership development, targeting high-potential EVPs.
• Alumni Networks and Advisory Councils to foster post-program engagement, source local upskilling opportunities, and cultivate community support.
• Grant-Funded Program Development to build sustainable training models, expand resources, and improve program accessibility through funding opportunities.

If you’re seeking to build a resilient workforce and equip the next generation of leaders, connect with Route to Rise to explore how we can work together for lasting impact.