Recent News & Blog

Posted on September 6th, 2021 in Uncategorized

7 September 2021 – The modern age has brought about major changes within the world of work. Emerging technologies and globalization are impacting the very nature of workforce dynamics while employers’ demand for highly-skilled, versatile talent continues to grow. A combination of technical and soft skills, as well as comprehensive, real-world experiences, are prerequisites for the majority of entry-level jobs. The opportunities to obtain these credentials, however, are not readily accessible, creating a widening gap in career-ready skills amongst the workforce.

In an effort to bridge the gap between the supply of talent and the demand for multi-skilled employees in the local community, EmployIndy and Ascend Indiana piloted a new apprenticeship model for Indianapolis high school students that prepare them for the future of high-demand industries. 

Modern Apprenticeship (MAP) is a paid three-year work-based learning experience for Central Indiana high schoolers with local community employers. Beginning their junior year of high school, apprentices will split their time between the classroom and the workplace. By the end of the MAP experience, students not only graduate with a high school diploma and obtain invaluable social capital, but they will also earn industry-recognized credentials and transferable college credits.

 

“Modern Apprenticeship helps to diversify talent pipelines while increasing the economic mobility of local youth and providing the critical experience needed when taking the next steps towards a career,” says Betsy Revell, Vice President of Talent Solutions at EmployIndy.

The inaugural MAP cohort, consisting of 30 students and 16 employers, signed their certificate of acceptance in May of 2021, establishing a system of career-connected learning that will create equitable opportunities for high schoolers throughout Marion County. The youth apprentices completed two MAP boot camps this summer to prepare them for their upcoming apprenticeships this fall and begin connecting with their employers and peers. 

In addition to piloting the Modern Apprenticeship program, EmployIndy and Ascend Indiana both hired apprentices from the inaugural cohort. 

“Hiring internal apprentices was important to EmployIndy because we wanted to navigate the Modern Apprenticeship program alongside our business partners and have a legitimate experience as a MAP employer,” says Revell. “Hosting apprentices also aligns with our goals associated with creating long-term talent pipelines and EmployIndy’s strategic priority of building career pathways for young adults.”

Salematou Diaby, Kimorah Waites, and Melanie Garcia began their apprenticeships at EmployIndy on August 9th. All three apprentices have been placed in different departments within EmployIndy; Diaby with the Career Services team, working with WorkOne Indy; Waites with the Talent Solutions team, working with Talent Bound and MAP; and Garcia with the K-12 and Postsecondary team, working with K-12 programs (photos at end of post).

“It is exciting to have youth apprentices within these EmployIndy teams because, in many cases, high school students are our target audience,” says Revell. “Our apprentices offer an opportunity for EmployIndy to get real-world feedback in real-time, and we need that real-time insight to continue to expand our programs.” 

Workforce development is facing a new set of stipulations in adequately preparing young people for the future working world. The demand for well-rounded, experienced employees requires targeted services that leverage existing talent pools from a young age. Competent workers are abundant, but the training needed to fortify their skills is not always accessible. Modern Apprenticeship creates accessible opportunities for young talent while enhancing the skills needed to succeed in today’s in-demand industries.

Melanie Garcia

Melanie Garcia, EmployIndy's K-12 & Postsecondary Apprentice

Salematou Diaby

Salematou Diaby, EmployIndy's Career Services Apprentice

Kimorah Waites

Kimorah Waites, EmployIndy's Talent Solutions Apprentice


Posted on August 19th, 2021 in Uncategorized Tags: ,

Local diversity advocates support, recognize and inspire employers to adopt diversity framework best practices to improve success within their community and workplace

INDIANAPOLIS – 19 August 2021 Today marks the 20th Annual Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity. This year’s event took place virtually with over 200 attendees with a focus on how businesses can benefit by adopting a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion framework and best practices. EmployIndy, the City of Indianapolis, and the Office of Minority and Women Business Development are honored to have hosted an event celebrating high-achieving local employers with participation from many influential speakers and a special emphasis on the importance of supporting the employment of Indianapolis young people through Project Indy, Mayor Joe Hogsett’s youth jobs initiative.

Project Indy is a location-based job search platform for Indianapolis residents ages 16-24. With over 200 local employers registered, thousands of young people have been connected to employment opportunities. This platform not only connects youth to jobs, it provides an opportunity for employers to diversify their organization and encourage leadership amongst team members.

“It is critical we take time to celebrate our community’s commitment to diversity,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “Engaging young people is more important now than ever. Today, we commend the businesses and non-profits who are already leading the way toward a diverse and prosperous Indianapolis.”

With the financial support of many Indianapolis employers, the Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity hosted well-known local advocates. Attendees to the twentieth annual event learned and heard from the following community leaders:

  • DuJuan McCoy, Keynote speaker and owner, president, and CEO of Circle City Broadcasting;
  • Mayor Joe Hogsett, City of Indianapolis;
  • Angela Carr Klitzsch, president and CEO of EmployIndy;
  • Tehea Harding, chief finance and administration officer at EmployIndy;
  • Michael Huber, president and CEO of Indy Chamber;
  • Fanchon Stinger and Dan Spheler, news anchors at FOX59;
  • Kelli Jones, co-founder of Be Nimble Co. and Sixty8 Capital;
  • Pamela Ross, vice president of opportunity, equity and inclusion at Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF); and
  • Consuelo Poland Lockhart, founder of Latinas Welding Guild
  • Alan K. Bacon, GANGGANG
  • Malina Simone Jeffers, GANGGANG

 

“Today, and everyday, we are grateful to the employers who are actively making a difference for our young people through support of this event and are proud to celebrate employers in our community by shining a light on their efforts to increase diversity and inclusion,” said Angela Carr Klitzsch, EmployIndy. “Over the past six years, over 17,000 young adults have accessed jobs through Project Indy. These young people are the future of Indianapolis – the future of our workplaces and our neighborhoods. Creating equitable access to employment for youth provides employers with a pipeline for long-term talent needed in the workplace and individuals with the employability skills to be successful now and in the future.”

This event is a time to recognize employers who have made exceptional efforts to demonstrate inclusivity, diversity, and equity in their workplaces through their leadership, hiring practices, and focus on culture. This year’s award recipients are as follows:

  • “Sam H. Jones ‘Best of the Best’” was awarded to Citizens Energy Group for their “One Company, One Culture” action plan to strengthen workplace culture while maintaining a customer-centered workplace. Their Diversity and Inclusion team has also implemented several initiatives to support equity and belonging during the pandemic.
  • “Diversity in Leadership” was awarded to the Indianapolis Airport Authority for their targeted focus on building and sustaining a culture that fosters equitable inclusion and diversity in all aspects of business by optimizing organizational performance and employee respect and engagement.
  • “Diversity in Workforce” was awarded to Arcamed, LLC, for their work in partnering with a number of local organizations to increase diversity and improve hiring practices company-wide. They have also implemented interview strategies to reduce any potential biases when evaluating candidates.
  • “Excellence in Youth Employment” was awarded to OneAmerica for their support of young people in the development of their Pathways Program that introduces students from diverse neighborhoods to the business and finance industries while providing opportunities for mentorship and skills-building.

Due to the impact of COVID-19 in Marion County, many businesses have experienced temporary and permanent closures. Because of this, there is an even higher number of young residents who are facing unemployment.

To support and provide employment resources for these young people, all proceeds from the 20th Annual Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity go towards sustaining Mayor Hogsett’s Project Indy youth jobs program. This program introduces young people to what is often their first job, teaching them the importance of soft skills such as time management, teamwork, workplace etiquette, and more.

In order to donate and support the continuation of the Project Indy initiative, please go to employindy.org/donate. More information about Project Indy can be found at projectindy.net.


Posted on June 28th, 2021 in Uncategorized

24 June 2021 – United States Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh visited Indianapolis on Thursday, June 24th, 2021. Walsh joined in on a roundtable discussion over Youth Workforce Developments in Marion County. The discussion focused on innovative efforts from EmployIndy and employer partners, including the Modern Apprenticeship program and Talent Bound, EmployIndy’s work-based learning initiative that ensures Indy youth and young adults actively pursue integrated academic and career experiences that empower them to follow career pathways that lead to economic mobility and future prosperity.

Three Modern Apprenticeship apprentices, one opportunity youth apprentice, and one former JAG student joined Secretary Walsh on an interactive tour of 16 Tech Innovation District, a technology hub in downtown Indianapolis. The tour included a walkthrough of the newly-opened AMP building, Machyne, and 1776 as well as the Maker’s Space where the aforementioned young professionals were able to have one-on-one discussions with Secretary Walsh.

Following the tour, EmployIndy leadership, Angie Carr Klitzsch, Marie Mackintosh, and Rodney Francis joined local employers, educators, and thought leaders: Jamie Wright, Roche Diagnostics; Scott Davison, OneAmerica; De’Niece Harrison-Hudson, OneAmerica, Mike Langellier, TechPoint; IPS Superintendent, Dr. Aleesia Johnson; Beth Rovazzini, B & W Plumbing; Chris Lowery, Ivy Tech Community College; PJ McGrew, Governor’s Workforce Cabinet; and Stephanie Bothun, Ascend Indiana, for the roundtable discussion with Secretary Walsh.


TIF Training Grants

The funding for TIF Training Grants comes from the NextLevel Jobs program, overseen by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. These grantees are reimbursed for their work to hire, train, and retain Indianapolis workers. It removes the financial barriers that many employers face during the hiring process and allows them to provide opportunities for growth and employee success throughout the training process.

Story of Impact

Increasing Employer and Workforce Engagement

The vision behind NextLevel Jobs stems from the need to engage the current workforce and provide individuals with opportunities to grow within their company. In order to receive reimbursement for hiring and training, the employee must stay on for at minimum six months.

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