On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, EmployIndy had the privilege of joining the Metropolitan School District (MSD) of Warren Township and Ford Next Generation Learning (NGL) for Envision Day, an event bringing together key stakeholders to help shape the future success of students and workforce in the eastside school district.

Students, teachers, district leaders, parents, and community partners gathered at Indianapolis Marriot East to participate in a full day of discussion and planning activities aimed at creating the district’s next strategic plan, with an intentional PK-12 college and career readiness framework. Focused on the journey of a graduate and using a community-connected approach, the career readiness framework will allow students to explore industries as well as engage in and experience the career pathways available to them.   

As the convening organization, EmployIndy will support Warren’s implementation and transformation into this community-based initiative that aims to ensure that all Warren students are prepared for either enrollment, enlistment, or employment after high school.  “We’re excited to play a big role in this partnership by ensuring Warren Township schools have the tools and resources they need to reimagine career-connected learning in their district,” said Erika Cheney, Vice President of Career-Connected Learning for EmployIndy, a speaker at the event. “Through our Talent Bound program, we’ll provide meaningful experiences and opportunities for students through our employer connections and work with industry leaders.” 

In partnership with Central Indiana Education Service Center (CIESC), Warren Township and six other Indiana school districts were awarded an Explore, Engage, and Experience (3E) Grant from the Indiana Department of Education to partner with Ford NGL to implement locally driven, strategic career pathways for their students. Each Ford NGL community has a dedicated Ford NGL Coach, who supports and guides communities as they develop and implement a Ford NGL Master Plan to scale and sustain a career academy network and prepare students for high-skill, high-wage careers. 

“As we consider the Next Generation of Learners (NGL), with a realization that current Kindergartners will graduate in 2036, what knowledge, skills, attributes, and experiences do ALL Warren students need that are critical to their future success regardless of what path they choose?”, said Doug Harter Districts 3E Grant & Community Partnership Coordinator.  

As the workforce development intermediary, EmployIndy works to help students and residents grow in a career that meets employer demand for talent. As part of this work, EmployIndy supports career-connected learning initiatives to provide real-world work experiences that help inform career choices and build skills. Learn more about our 2023-2025 strategic plan at: www.employindy.org/2023-2025-strategic-plan.

For more information on Envision Day, visit www.warren.k12.in.us/page/envision-day. 

A recent article by Whitney Downard in the Indianapolis Business Journal pointed out some disturbing trends for Indiana workers. Downard’s analysis was in response to U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics showing that Indiana workers make about 83% of the national wage average, and that 91 of 92 Indiana counties fall under the national wage of just over $70,000 a year.  

Marion County was the one Indiana county that came in slightly above the national wage average, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still room for improvement. During a recent lunch-and-learn session in June hosted by EmployIndy’s Business Partnerships team, twenty-five businesses joined Lora Steele, Director of Business Consulting, and Joslyn Cunningham, Senior Manager of Business Consulting, for a discussion about the Choice Employers program and specifically, the Good Wages Initiative (GWI). Representatives from Second Helpings, Barrett & Stokely, Franciscan Health, Visit Indy, Eleven Fifty Academy, and State Farm Insurance were among those who attended the session to learn more. 

Started in 2022, the Good Wages Initiative is a network of more than 80 Marion County employers that pay their full-time employees a wage of at least $18 an hour and provide access to health insurance benefits. That current wage floor comes from a 2018 Brookings Institution report, Advancing opportunity in Central Indiana. In addition to the full GWI certification process (for which businesses can find an application here), there is also a “committed” path for businesses that are close to meeting program qualifications and need assistance in crossing that threshold.  

After a wage increase for their employees, Newfields recently became the first organization to move from “committed” to fully-certified within the program, adding to the growing list of Marion County employers who have joined the initiative. Representing roughly 18 industries and nearly 25,000 workers, GWI employers have already committed to increasing worker wages by over $5.1M. 

EmployIndy’s lunch-and-learn series will continue Friday, September 29th with a session focused on justice-involved hiring, aimed at providing insight regarding the training available to those leaving incarceration, the crucial role that wrap around services provide, and how to navigate the challenges of talent acquisition with this population. You can register for this upcoming session here. 

To stay informed of upcoming lunch-and-learn events, or other ways to connect with EmployIndy’s Business Partnerships team, subscribe to their quarterly newsletter here or visit www.employindy.org/business-partnerships. 

Participating students throughout Central Indiana sign a certificate of acceptance as they begin their three-year apprenticeship journey.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind (July 15, 2023) – EmployIndy and Ascend Indiana proudly introduced the third cohort of students and employers participating in the Modern Apprenticeship Program (MAP) at the 2023 Modern Apprenticeship Signing Day event. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett was on hand Saturday, July 15, recognizing the 34 Marion County rising high school juniors who have accepted positions with 20 local employer partners. Those students were able to meet their new employers and be publicly recognized during the 2023 Modern Apprenticeship Signing Day event at Shortridge High School.

MAP is the highest-caliber experience offered through Talent Bound, EmployIndy’s career-connected learning continuum. This three-year program connects Marion County high school students with local employers, providing a path toward discovering passions and developing skills to help them thrive in growing and in-demand industries, including healthcare, information technology, education, business operations, financial services, and more.

“The Modern Apprenticeship Program has placed nearly 112 youth apprentices to date, with the goal of connecting 5,000 apprentices to employers by 2030.” says Marie Mackintosh, President and CEO of EmployIndy. “We are so excited to watch cohort three and each apprentice as they enter into this next chapter of their personal and professional life.”

This third cohort of 34 apprentices were chosen from over 462 applicants to participate in MAP. Beginning their junior year of high school, apprentices split their time between the classroom and the workplace—earning their high school diploma, as well as an hourly income, college credits, industry certifications and credentials, and first-hand, relevant job experience—multiplying their options after graduation.

“As educators, we work hard to encourage the early college experience,” said IPS Deputy Superintendent Andrew Strope.“Through MAP, we can take this commitment a step further by providing an associate degree and real-world experience with a local, quality employer, which can be a life-changing opportunity.”

As a talent strategy, MAP helps employers tap into diverse talent pools—building strong talent pipelines to meet both short- and long-term staffing needs. The program creates a structure for employers to be part of workforce solutions while removing barriers, so all Marion County students have equitable access to career-ready training and jobs in high-demand fields.

“Our Modern Apprenticeship Signing Day event marks the beginning of the apprentice-employer journey as the students sign a formal certificate of acceptance for their positions,” says Mackintosh. “As part of this commitment, the employer will mentor and support the student as they navigate an in-demand role within their respective organization.”

EmployIndy, Marion County’s workforce development board, and Ascend Indiana, the talent and workforce development initiative of Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), actively support the apprentices, employers, and general programmatic outcomes for Modern Apprenticeship.

To learn more about Modern Apprenticeship (MAP), visit www.indymodernapprenticeship.com.

Congratulations to the third cohort of Modern Apprenticeship students and employer partners:

1.Edward Webster, Arsenal Tech High School, 100 Black Men

2.Gift Akintomide, Ben Davis University High School, AES

3.Cameron Morris, George Washington High School, Arcamed

4.Jaida Okello, North Central High School, Ascend Indiana

5.Chrystan McNeal, Purdue Polytechnic HS-North, Ascension

6.Lah'Mya Kelly, North Central High School, Ascension

7.Denise Uwanjeneza, Ben Davis High School, Ascension

8.Sandrine Ishimwe, Ben Davis University High School, Ascension

9.Daniela Rojo-Vazquez, Ben Davis University High School, Ascension

10.Nayouna Maximilien, George Washington High School, AYS

11.Alexis Sammy, North Central High School, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP)

12.Ben Klein, North Central High School, Conexus Indiana

13.LeNiya Williams, Pike High School, EmployIndy

14.Darriana Carrington, Pike High School, EmployIndy

15.Friztjeena Jean, GEO Academies, GEO Next Gen High School

16.Caitlynn Faulkner, Ben Davis University High School, Indianapolis Airport Authority

17.Faith Ajibola, Pike High School, Indianapolis Airport Authority

18.Liliana Valdez, Ben Davis University High School, Ivy Tech

19.Jonathan Rodriguez-Aguilar, Ben Davis University High School, Ivy Tech

20.Olumuyiwa Akinbobola, Pike High School, Ivy Tech

21.Andrea Perez, Pike High School, Ivy Tech

22.Kayleigh Reyes, Pike High School, Ivy Tech

23.Brandon Zepada, Ben Davis University High School, Ivy Tech

24.Luis Cazares, Arsenal Tech High School, Lenex Steel

25.Atlantis Lynch, North Central High School, Lutheran Child and Family Services (LCFS)

26.Confidence Korrie, Purdue Polytechnic High School-Englewood, Lutheran Child and Family Services (LCFS)

27.Jasmine Gettis, Pike High School, Mattison

28.Natasha Borel, North Central High School, Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY)

29.Matthew Barthauer, Purdue Polytechnic High School-North, Plastic Recycling, Inc.

30.Kyla Epps, Beech Grove High School, RATP Dev

31.Jaylen Hill, North Central High School, Roche

32.Lynae Gude, North Central High School, Roche

33.Atziri Reyes, North Central High School, Roche

34.Da'Naya Freeman, Ben Davis University High School, United Way of Central Indiana