INDIANAPOLIS – On August 1, 2022, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) – Indianapolis launched a new program location at Franklin Central High School, bringing its reach to a total of 19 programs in 16 Marion County high schools. JAG Indy is a state-affiliated program, based on a national model, that aims to keep young people in school through graduation and provide work-based learning experiences that will lead to career advancement opportunities, or enrollment in a postsecondary institution that leads to a rewarding career. 

JAG Indy’s program expansion into the Franklin Township Community School Corporation was made possible by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), which recently awarded 97 schools and community partners with more than $57 million in Explore, Engage and Experience (3E) grant funding. With the purpose of this grant funding focused on strengthening, expanding and creating effective career pathways throughout students’ K-12 learning, JAG Indy will utilize this funding to bring its resources to juniors and seniors at Franklin Central High School where they will have the opportunity to learn resume building, career exploration, utilize tools to explore different curricula, and more.

“An increasing number of state, regional, and local partnerships, such as JAG Indy and Franklin Central High School, are being developed to blur the lines between PK-12, higher education, and the workforce,” said Ms. Flora Jones, Director of Student Pathways & Opportunities for the Indiana Department of Education. “Supported by the 3E Grant, more students will have access to resources, mentoring, and follow-up counseling through JAG Indy, ultimately leading them to high-wage, high-demand career opportunities after high school graduation.”

Housed at EmployIndy since 2006, JAG Indy has served over 7,090 students, earned a 5/5 status the past seven years, and is recognized as a Gold Standard program nationally. On average, JAG participants maintain better than a 95% graduation rate and over 75% positive outcomes, or full-time hours pursuing a postsecondary education or retaining employment. “We’re excited to expand into Franklin Central High School and bring great career development experiences and resources to their students,” said Beth Bowling, Director, K-12 at EmployIndy. “As a result of our partnership with the Indiana Department of Education, we’re confident that we’ll see even more Marion County students excel in their pursuit of a rewarding career.”

As students enroll in JAG and have the opportunity to participate in unique career development activities, such as the annual Regional JAG Career Development Conference, schools and the surrounding community also experience the benefit. “Though not even two months into the school year, JAG Indy is increasing student engagement in school and creating new ways for students to connect with each other and the community,” said Amy McCabe, Assistant Principal at Franklin Central High School. “I’m excited to see how it continues to impact student attendance, grades, and ultimately, their success once they graduate.”

JAG Indy currently operates programs within the following Marion County schools:

• Arsenal Tech

• Beech Grove

• Ben Davis

• Crispus Attucks

• Decatur Central

• Decatur Township School for Excellence

• Franklin Central High School

• George Washington

• Indiana School for the Deaf

• Indy Metropolitan

• McKenzie Career Center

• North Central

• Shortridge

• Southport

• True North Academy

• Warren Central

To learn more about JAG Indy or get involved, visit employindy.org/youth-services/jag.

On Wednesday, October 5th, EmployIndy and Ascend Indiana gathered at OneAmerica for the Modern Apprenticeship Employer Info Session + Breakfast. Nearly 40 businesses were represented at the event as the event kicked off employer recruitment for the third cohort of Marion County’s Modern Apprenticeship program.

Modern Apprenticeship (MAP) is a 3-year work-based learning program that begins during a student’s junior year in high school. The program offers students paid employment, which is critical to making the program a sustainable solution to address inequity in Marion County. Students also participate in on-the-job learning that contributes to actual job tasks and aligns with role competencies and related academics. When students graduate from the Modern Apprenticeship program, they earn industry credentials as well as transferable college credit that not only offer tangible skills during their apprenticeship but will stay with them throughout the duration of their careers,

“Modern Apprenticeship brings together employers, students, and educators to build a sustainable employment pipeline,” says Marie Mackintosh, Chief Strategy Officer at EmployIndy.  “These pipelines address employer talent challenges, create a path for student work experience, and provide industry input into education standards and curriculum.”

Additionally, Modern Apprenticeship registers apprenticeship experiences with the U.S Department of Labor via Register Apprenticeship programs (RAPs). RAPs enable more employers to participate in apprenticeships while, simultaneously, increasing their access to quality talent pools. 

Businesses struggle to find the talent they need in today’s world of work, yet, at the same time, postsecondary graduation rates are declining, and young people are searching for quality jobs without the credentials or skills to be successful. Over ¾ of Indiana’s employers cannot find qualified candidates for their open positions. 

These talent challenges were addressed by a panel of business leaders at the event, including Ayaz Malik, Group Marketing Manager, Digital Strategy at Roche Diagnostics; Michelle Mitchell, National Manager, Early Talent Development at Ascension; Eduardo Nieto, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director at OneAmerica; and Mario Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority. The panel was moderated by Jay Styles, Senior Director of Business Partnerships at EmployIndy. 

“The healthcare industry is having a great challenge in only finding highly qualified talent, but retaining them as well. All of the Marion County healthcare systems are competing for the same, small supply of candidates,” says Michelle Mitchell, National Manager of Early Talent Development at Ascension. “Ascension has had to rethink how we have defined and pursued talent, and the Modern Apprenticeship program has helped us to create a custom talent pipeline where students are actually looking to create a career.”

The Modern Apprenticeship program also furthers crucial diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts as 90% of our current Youth Apprentice are people of color and/or female-identifying. This statistic, alone, defies the perceptions of traditional apprenticeships and speaks to the diverse talent available within our own community.

“Traditionally, the financial services industry is dominated by only a particular demographic,” says Eduardo Nieto, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director at OneAmerica. “Modern Apprenticeship has helped us expand and go beyond the traditional hires we normally have and diversify the talent in our workplace.”

Modern Apprenticeship works as a talent solution for businesses of all sizes as apprentices are able to develop on-the-job skills that are tailored to the company's needs. Employers are able to develop their own, diverse talent and create opportunities for growth while engaging young people and improving retention by investing in a new way of learning. 

“The Modern Apprenticeship program has found a lot of success in giving young leaders within an organization the opportunity to manage apprentices. It is a great way to grow the next generation of leaders within a company,” says Stephanie Bothun, Vice President & Co-founder of Ascend Indiana. “And there’s no better time than now to join Modern Apprenticeship.”

Interested in becoming a Modern Apprenticeship employer? Email YAinfo@nullemployindy.org to begin your organization’s journey with Youth Apprenticeship today!

INDIANAPOLIS – Today at the Campus Center at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Mayor Joe Hogsett, alongside Indy Achieves representatives from both IUPUI and Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis, announced a $500,000 increase for Indy Achieves scholarships and grants in the proposed 2023 City Budget. Indy Achieves, housed at EmployIndy, is an initiative launched by Mayor Joe Hogsett in 2018 that aims to ensure that every Indianapolis resident has the ability to pursue and complete a postsecondary credential or degree program.

“This year, nearly five hundred students received Completion Grants through the Indy Achieves Program,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “With a half a million dollar increase in 2023, we can boost that closer to seven hundred. That means even more Indianapolis students will have access to resources to unlock good-paying and rewarding careers, lifting up their families and neighborhoods along with them.” 

The proposed increase in funding comes at an important juncture for Indianapolis, as just 41% of Marion County residents hold credentials beyond high school. This percentage highlights a potential shortfall according to a report by the Lumina Foundation, which states that 60% of Indiana jobs will require some form of postsecondary credentials by 2025. In effort to combat this potential shortfall, Indy Achieves works directly with students at IUPUI and Ivy Tech – Indianapolis to provide financial aid as well as proactive and individualized support from Indy Achieves Student Success Coaches in areas including financial literacy, academic planning, accessing campus and community resources, and providing career opportunities. Since its inception in 2018, Indy Achieves has supported over 3,000 Marion County students as they pursue their postsecondary degree or credential, with over $4 million in financial aid provided. 

For many Indy Achieves students, the financial aid and wrap-around support they receive plays a vital role in their pursuit of a postsecondary degree or credential. “The completion grant provided me with the support that allowed me to focus on the most important aspect of school, learning,” Indy Achieves Completion Grant recipient Nyree Pegues said. Students, such as Pegues, who receive Completion Grants, are given one-time awards to cover unpaid bursar bills or other substantial debts that would have prevented them from continuing their postsecondary education. In addition to completion grants, Indy Achieves also provides Promise Scholarships to help close any remaining gaps in academic costs at either institution. 

“Many Marion County students, despite great academic talent, are still struggling with the financial burden of pursuing a postsecondary degree,” said Indy Achieves Executive Director Matt Impink. “We are eager for this proposed additional funding as we work with Ivy Tech and IUPUI to deliver timely financial aid that students need, so they can focus on preparing for their career here in Indianapolis.” 

Present at Mayor Hogsett’s announcement were representatives from both IUPUI and Ivy Tech – Indianapolis, who were eager to show their support. Through this increase in funding, both institutions will gain access to students who, without assistance, might not pursue a postsecondary degree or credential. “IUPUI is proud to partner with the city of Indianapolis and Ivy Tech on this successful initiative. Considering the important role financial resources play in decision-making about college, we are pleased to be able to help our students address financial challenges and create opportunities for Marion County residents through Indy Achieves.  This increased investment will allow even more students to pursue their educational goals and build the pathway towards a successful future at IUPUI and beyond,” IUPUI Chancellor Andrew Klein said.

Lastly, in tandem with providing aid for current or future postsecondary students, Indy Achieves partners with Indianapolis schools and nonprofits to expand access to postsecondary degrees or credentials through efforts that increase the number of individuals who apply for existing financial aid programs such as 21st Century Scholars and FAFSA. 

To learn more about Indy Achieves or to find out how you can partner, visit www.indyachieves.org.