Expanding access to high-quality career-connected learning opportunities is helping more high school students make informed decisions about their futures and successfully navigate the transition from high school to postsecondary education and the workforce. This important work continues with support from the Gates Foundation and is being led locally by EmployIndy. 

As a part of the Accelerate ED: Seamless Pathways to Degrees and Careers initiative, the Indianapolis “design team”, led by EmployIndy, will build on the success of their work in creating the Indiana Cybersecurity Pathway Blueprint and begin development of a new Indiana BioPharma Pathway Blueprint. With Central Indiana’s economy poised for rapid expansion in tech and biotech, EmployIndy and our partners will use a $500,936 grant provided by the Gates Foundation to create a new and scaled accelerated postsecondary pathway that will focus on quality education, seamless transitions, and dedicated support and resources to ensure equitable paths to success for all Marion County students who are interested in these growing industries.   

“EmployIndy is grateful to the Gates Foundation for their continued support as we lead the development of important new career pathway blueprints,” says Marie Mackintosh, EmployIndy’s President + CEO. “We know this work will be vital in addressing bioworkforce talent gaps and providing access to high-quality jobs for all residents.” 

Over the next ten years, there is an expected gap of at least 2,200 life sciences manufacturing workers per year in Indiana, which mirrors the national bioworkforce shortage. EmployIndy is also a subawardee of the Heartland BioWorks Tech Hub Program—a consortium led by the Applied Research Institute—as part of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Tech Hubs Grant to support the development of the BioPharma pathway.  

Originally designated as an Accelerate ED community in 2022, EmployIndy will use proven methodology from the development of the Cybersecurity Pathway to bring together stakeholders from our K-12 and postsecondary systems into a design team to develop this new BioPharma Pathway with the goals of: 

1. Designing accessible career pathways that support students in earning 30 college credits by the end of high school, and; 

1. Guiding students into career-aligned courses, leading to an associate degree by the 13th year. 

To date, the Accelerate ED Indianapolis design team has improved student completion of high-quality career pathways through the JPMorgan Chase Foundation’s New Skills ready network (NSRN), created a career coaching framework adopted statewide by the Indiana Commission on Higher Education, enabled seamless postsecondary admission at IU Indianapolis, embedded Ivy Tech Community College career coaches at Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), and built strong infrastructure enabling schools to access career-connected learning through Talent Bound, which includes immersive work-based learning opportunities like the Modern Apprenticeship Program (MAP). 

To learn more EmployIndy’s work within the AccelerateED initiative, visit www.accelerate-ed.org/communities/indiana. 

On February 11th, Lilliana Mendoza stood on stage in front of over 110 Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) students from 15 local high schools and 3 local middle schools as she was named JAG Indy’s Outstanding Senior at the 2025 Regional Career Development Conference (CDC), an annual career development competition where students can demonstrate the employability skills they have learned in their JAG classrooms over the course of the past year.  

For Mendoza, a senior at Arsenal Technical High School, caring for those in her community and prioritizing her education have been important values, instilled in her by her parents, that have helped her be an active leader in her JAG program. Nominated by her peers to serve as JAG student president, Mendoza logged 160 hours of volunteer work with Meals on Wheels during summer breaks.  

“JAG gives you a place to be your best,” said Mendoza when asked what made the program special. In addition to offering students career-connected learning experiences and opportunities to build their leadership and employability skills, JAG Indy utilizes “Specialists”, who are located full-time in participating schools, to support students with ongoing career guidance. 

After having doubts about which path to take after graduation, Mendoza sat down with her JAG Specialist at Arsenal Tech, Dejanae King, to identify her skills and interests that could lead to a rewarding career. Having cared for animals from a young age, they explored related career pathways, with Mendoza ultimately applying for and being accepted into Purdue University’s Pre-veterinary Medicine program.  

In addition to the support that JAG students receive from their Specialist while in high school, they also receive regular follow-ups after graduation. “My JAG Specialist is very supportive, and I think the check-ins will help keep me accountable as I pursue my degree,” said Mendoza.  

Being named the Outstanding Senior for region 12, Mendoza will move on to compete for the top honor against the other eleven workforce development regions at the JAG State Career Development Conference in March.  

JAG Indy is a state-affiliated program, based on a national model, that aims to keep young people in school through graduation and provide career-connected learning experiences that will lead to career advancement opportunities, or enrollment in a postsecondary institution that leads to a rewarding career. Having recently expanded with new programs at two Marion County high schools and six Marion County middle schools in 2024, JAG Indy programs boasted a 98% graduation rate as well as a 75% full-time positive outcome rate, with the latter highlighting the percentage of students that entered full-time employment and/or further education. 

Click here to check out the full list of winners from this year’s JAG Indy Regional Career Development Conference. 

Anthony Parish, a graduate of YouthBuild Indy, honored with 2024 YouthBuild AmeriCorps Spirit of Service Award

INDIANAPOLIS, AUGUST 15, 2024 — Anthony Parish, a graduate of YouthBuild Indy, has been nationally recognized for his outstanding leadership through service. Parish, 23, was selected from thousands of members across the country to receive one of four awards given out by YouthBuild USA for their annual Spirit of Service Awards. The winners were announced at the State of YouthBuild USA AmeriCorps and Member Award Presentation on August 15. Parish was selected to receive the Member of the Year award for his commitment to personal growth and serving the Indianapolis community.

YouthBuild Indy, an EmployIndy led training program, offers young people the opportunity to obtain industry certifications, develop job readiness skills, receive adult basic education preparation, and hands-on paid work experiences. Parish came to YouthBuild Indy with the goal of completing his education and beginning a career in construction, determined to create a better future for himself and his family. That determination continued while overcoming personal challenges, and renewed itself afterward, speaking to his strength and commitment to personal growth. While in the program, Parish earned his high-school equivalency, National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certifications and Carpentry 1 certification, demonstrating his dedication, aptitude and desire to begin his career.

“Being an AmeriCorps member has helped shift my mindset,” Parish said. “Before I was just thinking about the day and how I would be able to take care of myself and my family at that time. Now, I am always thinking about what’s next for the future and not just day to day. I am setting goals for myself, learning how I can achieve them and taking the steps to get there.”

Staff members cite his leadership and supportive nature as valued contributions to the program. Being one of the first participants in the program to earn his NCCER certification, Parish would help his peers study and quiz them ahead of testing. Always willing to lend a hand, he even provided fellow students with rides as they made their way to the YouthBuild Indy facility or external construction site. When additional work was required for a home rehabilitation project during winter break, Parish decided to go to the worksite every day to help complete the project. This level of dedication allowed him to forge a deeper professional connection with the construction trainer and opened the door for his Carpentry 1 certification. With a strong work ethic and a desire to transform his life through service, Parish embodies the values of the YouthBuild AmeriCorps program.

“Anthony has demonstrated his dedication to the program, capability in jump-starting his career, and giving back to peers and future generations,” said Yolanda Mattox, Community Partnerships Manager at YouthBuild Indy. “Anthony's success not only benefits him but also serves as an inspiration to others facing similar challenges. His journey showcases the transformative power of education, training and community support in overcoming obstacles and achieving one's goals. We are so proud of him.”

YouthBuild USA has been an AmeriCorps grantee since AmeriCorps’ inception in 1994. Since then, YouthBuild USA has enrolled more than 51,000 AmeriCorps members who have generated millions of direct service hours, including developing or repairing thousands of units of affordable housing for low-income individuals and families. More than 13,000 YouthBuild AmeriCorps members have earned their high school equivalency and a total of $43 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards.

Approximately 2,148 YouthBuild AmeriCorps members in 59 programs across 26 states build affordable housing and provide community healthcare, conservation efforts, recycling and sustainability, computer infrastructure, and child development services for individuals and families. Over the next year, YouthBuild AmeriCorps members will provide more than 750,000 direct service hours and will build at least 240 units of affordable housing for low-income individuals and families.

YouthBuild USA is the nonprofit support center for a global network of more than 280 local YouthBuild programs in 15 countries, with 223 programs in 47 U.S. states and territories and 61 programs in 14 other countries. With love and respect, YouthBuild partners with opportunity youth to build the skillsets and mindsets that lead to lifelong learning, livelihood and leadership. Responding to the urgent need for knowledge, training and opportunity, YouthBuild primarily serves young people who lack a high school diploma and financial resources.

“While transforming their lives through service, YouthBuild AmeriCorps members become the leaders they were always meant to be — and that our world needs,” said John Valverde, president and CEO of YouthBuild USA. “We are so proud of Anthony, whose example reverberates across the county. YouthBuild is honored to partner with him in his journey.”