Central Indiana employers have been clear: make engagement with schools easy, consistent, and impactful—and they will participate. EmployIndy is delivering on that expectation through a coordinated, employer‑driven approach to talent development.

On April 16, EmployIndy convened education and industry partners from across Marion County at the Central Indiana Educational Service Center (CIESC) to advance this work. The full‑day partner meeting focused on aligning high school career pathways with real workforce needs, strengthening student experiences, and simplifying how businesses engage with schools.

During the morning session, employers and educators reviewed pathway branding, explored labor market insights tied to employability skills, and discussed scalable models for industry engagement. The message from business leaders was consistent: when partnerships are streamlined and outcomes are clear, employer participation grows.

The afternoon shifted to action. Educators examined current pathway offerings, aligned on a standardized partnership handbook process, and reviewed the 9th–12th Grade Guaranteed Experiences Continuum—ensuring students gain meaningful exposure to careers before graduation. This intentional alignment helps employers connect with better‑prepared candidates while reducing the burden of navigating multiple school partnerships.

This work is led through the Career Collaborative, a partnership between EmployIndy and CIESC grounded in the Partners for Professions framework. By creating a centralized partnership hub, standardizing engagement, and aligning pathways with labor market demand, the collaborative transforms work‑based learning into a strategic talent development solution—one that delivers real return on investment for employers.

As Indiana implements new work‑based learning requirements for the Class of 2029, employers have a timely opportunity to shape the future workforce, strengthen hiring pipelines, and support long‑term workforce sustainability.

This is not just community engagement. It is workforce strategy.

If you’re interested in streamlining your school engagement, accessing emerging talent, and helping shape Central Indiana’s future workforce, connect with: