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:
INDIANAPOLIS — Today, October 11, 2022, EmployIndy, Marion County’s Workforce Development Board, has named Marie Mackintosh as its new president and CEO. Effective immediately, Mackintosh succeeds Angela Carr Klitzsch who has led the organization under Mayor Joe Hogsett and his administration since June 2016. Mackintosh joined EmployIndy alongside Carr Klitzsch in June 2016 when she was appointed as the chief operating officer, most recently serving as the organization’s chief strategy officer.
“An Indianapolis native, Marie is keenly aware of the challenges residents face accessing good jobs in a post-pandemic economy with disproportionate opportunity,” said Mayor Hogsett. “She brings deep and valued relationships with key community stakeholders, officials, employers and funders who will pursue thoughtful and equitable workforce solutions for our community.”
Most recently, Mackintosh has led implementation of pivotal investments to improve the local workforce ecosystem, including talent development strategies aimed at addressing systemic barriers for employers and job seekers, including the New Skills Ready Network, Modern Apprenticeship, Talent Bound and Rapid Re-Employment Response. These integrated investments are aimed at ensuring students and job seekers have equitable postsecondary options – informed through career-connected learning – that offer economic mobility through good jobs and good wages, providing a diverse and well-prepared talent pool for Indianapolis employers to grow and thrive.
“I am incredibly proud of innovative solutions that EmployIndy and its partners have created for employers and workers alike during my first six years at EmployIndy,” said Mackintosh, “but our most important work continues to be ensuring a diverse and skilled workforce has equitable access to economic mobility through good jobs.”
In Marion County, the median income of white households is almost twice that of Black households, affirming that all opportunities are not created equal and that a concerted effort must continue to ensure we are building up our communities, households, and residents of color. From July 2021 to June 2022, EmployIndy assisted 50,000 Indianapolis residents, and of those who self-identified, 75% were people of color.
“New EmployIndy initiatives like Choice Employers and Good Wages are helping employers implement hiring and employment practices that will close this opportunity gap as job access, performance, satisfaction, and retention improve,” said Jay Styles, senior director, business partnerships. “Job quality boosts talent attraction in a big way and has currency when filling skilled positions.”
The Good Wages Initiative certifies, celebrates, and showcases Marion County employers that have voluntarily committed to providing full-time employees with a living wage – $18 per hour – and health insurance benefits, and is a recommended hiring and promotions strategy of Business Equity for Indy. Launched just this year, 58 local employers, representing 18 industries and over 23,400 workers are already committed to increasing worker wages by $4.2 million annually.
“As a Good Wages employer with a commitment to equity, EmployIndy sets the highest equity standards for itself as an employer in our community,” said Aman Brar, EmployIndy board chair. “In her new position, Marie will continue to drive thoughtful and equitable solutions through data- and partner-informed processes that further our goal of increasing access.”
Mackintosh brings over 20 years of relevant experience to this role, having worked immediately prior to EmployIndy in various leadership roles at the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, in marketing at a global manufacturer, and in advising and program development at Butler and Depauw universities, respectively. She holds an MBA from Butler University and a BA from Indiana University, she was named one of Indy’s Best and Brightest in 2017 and has served on committees and boards convened by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Indy Chamber, Ascend Indiana, Business Equity for Indy, Far Eastside Collective Impact Council, Thomas Gregg Neighborhood School, and IndyFringe.
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 [email protected] to begin your organization’s journey with Youth Apprenticeship today!
Early last month, the White House welcomed 75 representatives from a cohort of over 200 industry, labor, and community-based organizations as well as educators, employers, and workforce intermediaries to the launch of the Biden-Harris administration’s Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative.
EmployIndy was among the participating organizations from across the nation invited to attend the launch event, exhibiting our commitment to strengthening and diversifying Registered Apprenticeship. Registered Apprenticeship is a high-quality, equitable earn-and-learn model that provides workers with on-the-job learning experience, job-related instruction with a mentor, and a clear pathway to a good-paying job. The programs include a nationally-recognized credential system that helps employers hire a more demographically diverse workforce across 40 in-demand industries.
Dr. Mechelle Polter, Senior Director, Talent Bound, attended the Apprenticeship Ambassador launch, which began with an address by First Lady Jill Biden, U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. The remarks were followed by a panel facilitated by Brent Parton, Assistant Secretary of Employment and Training Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor, and included various leaders such as Yellow Corp. CEO, Darren Hawkins, and Trident Technical College President, Dr. Mary Thornley.
“The Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative is an excellent opportunity for EmployIndy to continue to develop our apprenticeship offerings,” says Dr. Polter. “As an Apprenticeship Ambassador, we will be able to help even more residents and businesses through apprenticeship experiences that create sustainable career pathways and build diverse talent pipelines.”
The entire cohort of Apprenticeship Ambassadors will work to help other business, labor, and education leaders launch similar programs throughout the next year. Apprenticeship Ambassadors will also increase the accessibility of Registered Apprenticeship programs for underserved and underrepresented populations, including women, youth, people of color, people with disabilities, and more.
EmployIndy will use our expertise as an Apprenticeship Ambassador to scale innovative apprenticeship practices, such as those through the Modern Apprenticeship program. As employer demand for highly-skilled talent continues to grow, it is necessary to establish a system of career-connected learning that will create equitable opportunities for all Indianapolis students. EmployIndy’s Modern Apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship programs do just that.
“Not only do apprentices gain sustainable employment with a positive career trajectory, but employers attract, retain, and maintain skilled and diverse talent,” says Dr. Polter. “Our Marion County students benefit from quality, on-the-job learning while our business community thrives with young, skilled talent.”
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.
The Ironworkers brought a column with them to the Talent Bound event, the real-life application of which is to provide journey-persons the ability to install bolts and beams at height for taller buildings, according to Ironworkers Local 22 Union Apprenticeship Coordinator and President, Ken Haggard. Haggard was on-site at Let’s Build and has 18 years of experience in the industry. As Haggard described the work, “We put everything up so others have something to attach to.”
The Ironworkers’ booth attracted a steady line of students—and even EmployIndy President and CEO, Angela Carr Klitzsch, who made an appearance and demonstrated some impressive climbing skills of her own. Students who had an interest in climbing the column were able to hook in and test their courage and strength.
Between fully-trained and certified journeymen and women and those who are in training, there are about 900 Ironworkers in Indianapolis with plenty of space for more. Most Ironworkers start with a four-year apprenticeship that partners with Ivy Tech, in which participants earn an Associate of Applied Science in Technology while learning all aspects of welding along the way.
For the Ironworkers, no experience is expected or required on the front end, and applications for the three or four annual cohorts are considered all year long. Upon beginning the program, apprentices earn $20.54 an hour (plus a generous array of benefits) while working for one of the 70 or so contractors with whom Ironworkers partners. That hourly wage increases to $34.24 once the apprenticeship is completed.
The Ironworkers were not the only engaging booth at Let’s Build. The membership-based Indiana Society of Professional Land Surveyors were also represented at the event and grabbed student attention with their university-built, virtual sandbox, the elements of which can be shifted around to create topographical features such as hills, valleys, and bodies of water.
Surveyors, according to Rodney Kelly, the Director of Survey Services at the Good Wages Initiative-certified Etica Group—are “expert measurers.” The measurements are then used to create maps, which are used for a number of purposes within the engineering and construction fields.
INDIANAPOLIS — Today, August 31, 2022, Mayor Joe Hogsett visited WorkOne Indy, Marion County’s full-service American Job Center for one-stop career service support. During the visit, Mayor Hogsett toured the WorkOne Indy facility and discussed strategies for re-engaging workers in Indy’s tight labor market with WorkOne and EmployIndy staff. The event took place during Wednesdays @ WorkOne, a weekly hiring event featuring Marion County employers.
“EmployIndy and WorkOne Indy have been tremendous resources for employees and employers alike, especially during the pandemic and its aftermath,” said Mayor Hogsett. “With Wednesdays @ WorkOne, both have a regular opportunity to network and find that perfect employee/employer match. The kinds of relationships built at WorkOne Indy will be critical to securing a strong economic future for our residents and our community.”
So far in 2022, over 85,000 Marion County residents have received job training, job readiness, and job search support at WorkOne Indy via in-person and virtual career workshops, hiring events, one-on-ones with career navigators, and more. Through Wednesdays @ WorkOne hiring events alone, local employers have conducted over 1,400 interviews and hired 663 new workers in 2022.
Angela Carr Klitzsch, EmployIndy president and CEO, led the tour while highlighting how EmployIndy, who oversees WorkOne Indy, has successfully re-engaged workers and assisted local employers with meeting their demand for entry-level to middle-skill workers, post-pandemic. “Our team at WorkOne Indy has been doing an incredible job of making a space for job seekers to build skills and use those new skills as they get connected to hiring employers. And through Wednesdays @ WorkOne, job seekers have weekly opportunities to meet employers who represent a wide range of industries such as finance, healthcare, IT, logistics, manufacturing, nonprofit, and more,” said Klitzsch.
The impacts of COVID-19 on the workforce have created challenges for employers to hire adequate numbers of skilled workers. Even though Marion County’s current unemployment rate is below pre-pandemic levels, the number of unique job postings continues to increase. WorkOne Indy and EmployIndy are working to address the mismatch between the number of available workers and the demand for workers in organizations like LiUNA Local 120, American Senior Communities, and RATP Dev.
LiUNA Local 120, which currently represents 2,100 members in the construction industry within the Indianapolis area, has taken advantage of WorkOne Indy’s services for employers. Through Wednesdays @ WorkOne and their own distinct events at WorkOne Indy, LiUNA Local 120 has hired over 125 new workers this calendar year. “WorkOne Indy has been a great resource for helping us connect with residents who are looking for a way to learn more about the construction industry,” said Marty Corpuz, field representative at LiUNA. “Through their hiring events, we’re receiving a lot of applications and that’s allowing us to move more workers towards our apprenticeship program and an eventual career in construction.”
In addition to the work being done at WorkOne Indy, EmployIndy has various talent solutions to assist employers with customized talent attraction, training, and retention strategies. The Good Wages Initiative, Rapid Re-Employment Response, Modern Apprenticeship, andTalent Bound are just a few of the EmployIndy initiatives to build talent pipelines at an earlier stage, connect employers to talent, and provide robust solutions for meeting workforce needs.
“WorkOne Indy provides over 20 free workshops every week and has career navigators onsite daily to provide individualized assistance. In addition, WorkOne Indy offers the public access to computers, printers, and free wi-fi for their own devices,” said Penny Dunning, vice president of Career Services at EmployIndy.
WorkOne Indy’s full-service location at 4410 Shadeland Ave in Indianapolis is open to the public Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Job seekers are encouraged to view available resources and upcoming workshop details by visitingworkoneindy.com. Employers looking to get connected to a pipeline of talent can learn more by visitingemployindy.org or reaching out to the Business Partnerships team by emailing [email protected].
EmployIndy is one of the entities throughout the state of Indiana that helps distribute funds for theNext Level Jobs (NLJ) Employer Training Grant program, and applications opened on September 1st.
The NLJ Employer Training Grant “reimburses employers who train, hire, and retain new or incumbent workers to fill in-demand positions.” Reimbursements can be as large as $5,000 per trained employee and a total of $50,000 per employer that participates.
A number of EmployIndy partners across different sectors have benefitted from this program in the past, and they aren’t shy about reporting positive results.
According toSumco Human Resources Manager, Darla Hineman, the grant helped the electroplating manufacturer add new positions, offer promotions, and raise opportunities for existing employees. “Retention has improved,” Hineman said, “because we have been able to focus on engaging the employee and providing a more thorough training process.”
ForSynchrony Pharmacy, an Employer Training Grant meant the opportunity to train ten employees on new software, which those employees now use on a daily basis.
Micala McClain of Ridgeline Electrical Industries says that the organization was able to “increase productivity from the get-go,” by “implementing an incredible boot camp” for new employees.
AtFranciscan Health, there were even life-and-death implications, as the hospital used money from the grant to create and run a patient care course. Director Michael Goins’ describes the course as one that, “prepares people for bedside care in the hospital.” This included student participants, who were able to begin employment at a higher rate of pay than they would have otherwise had access to.
Priority industries for this year’s grant money will include the health and life sciences, building and construction, IT and business services, transportation and logistics, advanced manufacturing, and agriculture. Each of those industries is further broken down intoeligible occupations. EmployIndy distributions will prioritize veteran-, minority-, and women-own businesses, as well as companies that have not received funding in the recent past.
Questions on eligibility or the application process can be directed to Tracy Murphy ([email protected]), EmployIndy’s Associate Director of Business Partnerships.
On Wednesday, July 13, over 400 students from Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) gathered at Arsenal Technical High School to participate in the inaugural LET’S BUILD! event. Formed in partnership between EmployIndy’s Talent Bound, Built to Succeed (Indiana Careers in Construction), and IPS, LET’S BUILD! is a one-day construction camp that brought together all 14 union building trades in Marion County to offer hands-on activities and further career exposure opportunities for rising 9th graders, students who are soon entering high school.
“This event was really special as it was the culmination of the Talent Bound’s work over this last year in the K-8 space with IPS where our focus was exposing students to the building and construction trades,” said Mechelle Polter, Senior Director of Talent Bound. “Today, students got to take the next step and apply what they’ve learned through hands-on activities.” As students engaged with various building trades employers and unions, they had the opportunity to interact with industry models as well as real-world scenarios such as masonry work, climbing a steel beam while harnessed, and more.
Talent Bound is EmployIndy’s vehicle to provide students in Marion County with access to authentic work-based learning experiences, leveraging EmployIndy’s network of engaged businesses to provide activities that increase informed decision making and develop the critical skills needed to succeed in the future of work. During the 2021-22 academic year, over 21,800 work-based learning experiences were provided to Marion County students through Talent Bound.
Work-based learning occurs as a continuum of growth for students and Talent Bound offers activities along three phases of that continuum to build their knowledge: career exposure, career engagement, and career experience. Considered a Talent Challenge, the LET’S BUILD! event took the previous career exposure work to the next level through providing the hands-on experiences.
“The Let’s Build trades fair was an excellent opportunity for our incoming freshmen to gain hands-on experience and inspiration,” said Mel Coryell, Director of Academies and Pathways at IPS. “Our vision is for all IPS graduates to have a plan for and be prepared for a fulfilling future, and engaging with community partners and employers in this way is an essential step towards that vision.” Participating IPS schools included: Arsenal Technical High School, Crispus Attucks High School, George Washington High School, and Shortridge High School.
While students were getting their hands dirty and learning about available careers in the construction industry, local employers were working to build new talent pipelines by putting their industry in front of young adults who are eager to find their path.
“The LET’S BUILD! Construction Camp was a huge success and is an example of the growing relationship between the ICCA and EmployIndy’s Talent Bound program,” said Lynn Busby, Director of Community Outreach at Indiana Careers in Construction. “These events are important in supporting the union construction industry as employers get a chance to create industry exposure and develop new avenues for finding talent.”
The following organizations participated in the event by providing hands-on experiences for the students:
Bricklayers & Allied Craft Workers Local 4 (BAC4)
Harmon Construction Inc.
Harmon Steel Inc.
Indiana Kentucky Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters (IKORCC)
Indiana Society of Professional Land Surveyors
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 481 (IBEW)
International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 34
Ironworkers Local 22
Laborers International Union of North America Local 120 (LiUna)
North Mechanical Contracting & Service
Pepper Construction Company of Indiana LLC
Sisters in the Brotherhood (IKORCC)
Taylor Brother Construction Company Inc.
UA Local 440 Plumbers, Steamfitters, & HVACR Service Technicians
To learn more about available Talent Bound activities that help employers engage with students, visit https://www.talentbound.org.
“MAP is like a Willy Wonka golden ticket that employers just have to cash in,” says Chad Smith, Chief Personnel Officer at Plastic Recycling, Inc. “The high quality and character of the applicants we have seen just blew my mind. The focus and maturity of the students we interviewed have been really impressive.”
Modern Apprenticeship combines on-the-job learning with paid employment, college credit, and the prospect of earning industry credentials. Not only does the program give students a unique ability to multiply their options after high school, but it also allows employers to tap into diverse pools of young talent and invest in building quality talent pipelines.
In the fall of 2020, EmployIndy partnered with Ascend Indiana to launch Modern Apprenticeship, also known as MAP, a three-year program that offers many pathways to success by ensuring Marion County high school students have the requisite skills they need to thrive in the growing 21st-century industries like financial services, business operations, healthcare, and information technology. Over 30 employers from Marion County participate in the Modern Apprenticeship program, including Plastic Recycling, which has offered four Youth Apprentices for Cohort II.
Plastic Recycling, Inc. was established in 1988 as the need for quality and economic methods of plastic recycling continued to grow. The company sought to not only benefit the environment but invest in premier customer services as well. Today, Plastic Recycling, Inc. retains the same principles of focusing and committing to excellence as the founders used when launching the company almost four decades ago.
Chad Smith, Chief Personnel Officer at Plastic Recycling, has participated in Modern Apprenticeship since its launch. Smith indicated that the program provided Plastic Recycling with the opportunity to expand its external partnerships while investing in local youth. The company was thrilled to connect with Marion County schools as a source of qualified talent.
“We have extended 2 offers for Maintenance Tech through the Modern Apprenticeship program which is a position in high demand yet low supply of qualified workers,” says Smith. “We have had difficulty finding individuals with experience or expertise in the area. I see MAP as a way to grow our own and meet our talent needs.”
Plastic Recycling currently processes 100 million pounds a year of recycled materials a year and is looking to grow to 400 million pounds of recycled materials to keep out of landfills. But, the organization needs to develop team members to scale its capacity to that extent. Along with the Maintenance Tech positions, Plastic Recycling is also hiring Youth Apprentices for an HR Associate and Manufacturing Tech.
Is your organization looking to invest in its short- and long–term talent strategies? Connect with the Business Partnerships team at EmployIndy to find out how you can get involved with programs like Modern Apprenticeship.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind (June 25, 2022) – This morning at Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis, 37 Central Indiana high school sophomores signed the Modern Apprenticeship certificate of acceptance to work as apprentices for 29 local employer partners*, launching the second cohort of EmployIndy’s Central Indiana youth apprenticeship program.
Modern Apprenticeship is a three-year program that offers many pathways to success by ensuring Central Indiana high school students have the fundamental skills they need to thrive in growing 21st-century industries like financial services, business operations, healthcare, information technology, and more. EmployIndy, Marion County’s workforce development board, and Ascend Indiana, the talent and workforce development initiative of Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), actively support the apprentices, employers, and general programmatic outcomes for Modern Apprenticeship.
The Modern Apprenticeship program is the highest-caliber experience offered through Talent Bound, EmployIndy’s work-based learning continuum that connects Marion County students to local employers, ensuring that the young adults in the Indianapolis area are empowered to discover their passions and strengths while learning the needs of today’s workforce. Youth apprenticeships prepare students for their future by providing them with in-demand skills and relevant job experience so they can thrive in a fast-changing job market.
“Modern Apprenticeship has placed nearly 40 youth apprentices to date, with the goal of connecting 60 apprentices to employers by the fall,” says Marie Mackintosh, chief strategy officer at EmployIndy. “We are so excited to watch Cohort two grow as each apprentice enters into this next chapter of their personal and professional life.”
These apprentices were chosen from over 100 applicants to join the students already participating in Modern Apprenticeship. Beginning their junior year of high school, apprentices split their time between the classroom and the workplace. Upon completion of the Modern Apprenticeship program, these apprentices will earn a high school diploma, college credits, and an industry-recognized credential while obtaining invaluable social capital that multiplies their professional and personal postsecondary options.
“Alongside Modern Apprenticeship, Ascend convenes a Youth Apprenticeship Community of Practice, which consists of 60 organizations and serves to identify barriers to starting and scaling modern youth apprenticeship programs statewide,” says Stephanie Bothun, vice president of consulting at Ascend Indiana. “Together with EmployIndy, we are opening doors for Indiana students to education and career pathways that will lead to good jobs for their future, while also creating a new talent pipeline for employers.”
Modern Apprenticeship’s 2022 Signing Day signifies the beginning of the apprentice and employer journey as they signed a formal certificate of acceptance. As part of this commitment, the employer will mentor and support the student as they navigate an in-demand role within the respective organization. Through their participation in Modern Apprenticeship, these employers have signaled a strong commitment to being co-producers of talent alongside education partners.
“The typical four-year degree is a good pathway for some, but Indiana is home to many other forms of higher education that provide more equitable options to achieve a postsecondary degree or credential,” says Chris Lowery, commissioner at the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. “The skills that young people learn through apprenticeship go beyond that of a classroom to provide real-world experience in high-demand industries and roles. These experiences will strengthen their statures as accomplished candidates for the in-demand jobs of the future.”
As a talent strategy, Modern Apprenticeship helps employers tap into diverse pools of young talent and build strong talent pipelines to meet their short- and long-term staffing needs. The program creates a structure for employers to be part of workforce solutions while removing barriers so that all Marion County students have equitable access to career-ready training and jobs in high-demand fields. Young talent is able to enrich their career-ready skills and job experience while, simultaneously, allowing businesses to identify, train, and retain job candidates as they progress from entry-level jobs to highly skilled positions.
EmployIndy guides the local workforce ecosystem and makes strategic investments to remove barriers to quality employment for underserved and underrepresented residents. Our vision is for all Marion County residents to have access to services and training necessary to secure a livable wage and grow in a career that meets employer demand for talent. As the workforce development board for Marion County, guided by 26 business, civic, education, and nonprofit community leaders, EmployIndy invests over $20 million in public, private and philanthropic funds for both youth and adults annually. Learn more at employindy.org.
About Ascend Indiana
An initiative of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), Ascend Indiana is committed to making Indiana a place of economic opportunity for all. Ascend connects job seekers to good and promising career opportunities through an innovative job-matching platform, the Ascend Network; catalyzes partnerships and provides consulting services to meet high-demand workforce needs through Ascend Services; and conducts research through Ascend Insights to enable systems-level change that positively impacts individuals throughout the state. To learn more, visit ascendindiana.com.
On Tuesday, June 14th, over 60 students, family, and friends gathered at the Indianapolis Zoo for the 2022 Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) Senior Send-Off, which honors Marion County JAG students for completing programming during the 2021-22 school year. JAG is a state-affiliated program based on a national model, available to juniors and seniors in high school that teaches them resume building, career exploration, and creates available tools for students to explore different curricula. JAG’s mission is to keep young people in school through graduation and provide work-based learning experiences that will lead to career advancement opportunities, or to enroll in a postsecondary institution that leads to a rewarding career.
“We are thrilled to honor the graduating JAG class of 2022,” said Beth Bowling, Director of K-12 at EmployIndy. “These students have persisted in overcoming more challenges than generations of students before them. We can’t wait to see the exciting achievements we know this class will complete by reaching the academic and career goals they established through JAG.”
The Senior Send-Off also provided Marion County JAG students with the opportunity to participate in prize raffles and further connect with their assigned JAG specialist. All enrolled JAG students are provided a specialist to help them work towards removing educational barriers that may prevent them from graduating or pursuing a particular post-secondary or employment pathway after high school.
“One of the great parts of JAG is the follow-up support,” said Crispus Attucks JAG senior James Vann-Mincy, who also emceed the event. For a full year after graduation, JAG students receive support and contact from their specialists and the JAG team, to offer assistance as they transition into the workforce and/or elect to further their education.
During the event, two JAG seniors were honored with the Jessica Brown Memorial JAG Award. DaShaun Russell from True North Academy and Nevaeh Smith from Shortridge High School received this distinction, which recognizes excellence throughout the program year and offers a $1,000 award from EmployIndy to help them continue in their academic and career goals.
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:
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,
“This event was really special as it was the culmination of the Talent Bound’s work over this last year in the K-8 space with IPS where our focus was exposing students to the building and construction trades,” said Mechelle Polter, Senior Director of Talent Bound. “Today, students got to take the next step and apply what they’ve learned through hands-on activities.” As students engaged with various building trades employers and unions, they had the opportunity to interact with industry models as well as real-world scenarios such as masonry work, climbing a steel beam while harnessed, and more. 
Work-based learning occurs as a continuum of growth for students and Talent Bound offers 
While students were getting their hands dirty and learning about available careers in the construction industry, local employers were working to build new talent pipelines by putting their industry in front of young adults who are eager to find their path.
“We are thrilled to honor the graduating JAG class of 2022,” said Beth Bowling, Director of K-12 at EmployIndy. “These students have persisted in overcoming more challenges than generations of students before them. We can’t wait to see the exciting achievements we know this class will complete by reaching the academic and career goals they established through JAG.”
During the event, two JAG seniors were honored with the Jessica Brown Memorial JAG Award. DaShaun Russell from True North Academy and Nevaeh Smith from Shortridge High School received this distinction, which recognizes excellence throughout the program year and offers a $1,000 award from EmployIndy to help them continue in their academic and career goals.