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. 

Published in partnership with the Indianapolis Department of Public Works

Leadership from the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (Indy DPW) will attend a resource fair Thursday in hopes of engaging up to 15 new employees for a newly created second shift within DPW's Operations division. Presented by the Far Eastside Collective Impact Council and hosted by Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFE) at 4 p.m. Thursday, the “CDL Night” event will not only provide attendees with information on license renewal and resources for a career in logistics, but will also connect attendees to employers providing training to new hires unable to attend a truck-driving school.

Indy DPW specifically will speak to interested applicants about second-shift positions in heavy equipment operation and street maintenance.

“We're looking forward to the opportunity to meet skilled individuals seeking jobs that make a difference for our city,” said Dan Parker, Director of Indy DPW. “By adding this second shift, DPW can address potholes and other street maintenance requests later into the evening each work day, and even after dark with some special training, the right equipment, and high-visibility gear.”

Approved in Mayor Joe Hogsett's 2020 budget, this will be the first formal “after hours” shift of its kind in Indy's history, extending the ability of DPW crews to remain engaged on street maintenance issues. Hiring is ongoing for three management and 12 labor positions, each with wages greater than $18 per hour. Interested applicants can view the job listings on the City's website here.

“To decrease the number of residents living in poverty, Indianapolis needs to create 120,000 good and promising jobs paying over $18.00 per hour to address the skills mismatch that contributes to underemployment and limited job opportunities,” said Marie Mackintosh, COO of EmployIndy. “Indy DPW's job creation is a strong step toward bridging this skills gap and creating opportunity for economic mobility.”

Fourteen new pieces of equipment have been received or are on order for DPW's new second shift , following a pattern of recent targeted investment both in street maintenance equipment and personnel. In 2019, DPW created a dedicated Street Maintenance Team to address deteriorated roadways with the longer-lasting strip-patching technique; this team completed 64 intensive strip-patching projects with hot-mix asphalt at locations across the county in 2019.

“We launched this event with the hope that Indianapolis residents will connect with employers to receive the skills and training needed to be successful in the logistics industry,” said Natosha John, Career Pathways Coach and member of the Employer Engagement Task Force, extension of the Far Eastside Collective Impact Council committee. “We are looking to build a bridge between the job seeker who needs additional training or certification, and an employer who is eager to skill up their workforce and fill those gaps.”

CDL NIGHT EVENT DETAILS:
Click for invitation

• Date: Thursday, February 6, 2020
• Location: CAFE (Community Alliance of the Far Eastside): 8902 E 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46226
• Time: 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• What to bring: Resume/work history; driver's license or personal ID
• Attire: Business Casual
• Available Resources: CDL requirements checklist; BMV information; DOT physical examination & certified medical examiner information; Interview preparation; and resume assistance
• RSVP: bit.ly/CDLnight2620

Courtesy of Fox59 News: “Kids First on Fox”

KIDS FIRST ON FOX – An estimated 70,000 Hoosier senior students will graduate from high school in the next few weeks. Roughly 50,000 of those students will not graduate from college.

If college isn't for you, there are plenty of options to earn a living right out of school. Maybe a mail carrier or an electrician? Tonja Eagan, CEO of Social Health Association of Indiana, and Marie Mackintosh, COO of EmployIndy, say the job market for skilled laborers is plentiful in Indiana. See the full segment.

Some more helpful links:

NextLevel Jobs
Indiana Career Ready
25 jobs that do not require a degree