Once upon a time, Nick Gomillion was a philosophy graduate from Millsaps College in Mississippi. He had, as he told EmployIndy, met and married a Hoosier, which brought him to Central Indiana. Gomillion was also looking for a job at the time, a search that landed him in a bank teller position, which he held for four years.
Gomillion had no idea at the time that he would one day be tasked with hiring entry-level tellers and advocating that they be paid good wages, but several years later, as a Staffing Officer for the National Bank of Indianapolis (NBOI), that’s exactly what he is doing.
The National Bank of Indianapolis has been around since 1993. Partnership with EmployIndy may not go quite that far back, but it goes a lot farther back than Gomillion’s five months in his current professional role. Even so, the decision by his employer to pursue the Good Wages Initiative (GWI), which officially launched in April of 2022, was made during Gomillion’s tenure at NBOI. GWI certifies, celebrates, and showcases Marion County employers that are committed to providing full-time employees both a wage of at least $18/hour and access to health insurance benefits.
“Offering employees a wage of $18/hour and access to health insurance benefits is a fundamental part of employers’ roles in actively investing in Indianapolis’ economic ecosystem,” says Jamey Applegate, director of the Good Wages Initiative at EmployIndy. “GWI certification provides heightened opportunities to promote an employer’s commitment to their employees—which can help those businesses attract the most qualified employees first and continue to sustain our collective workforce.”
GWI’s specific hourly rate target comes from a 2018 Brookings Institution report called “Advancing Opportunity in Central Indiana,” but EmployIndy’s program also, in part, is modeled to resemble North Carolina’s Just Economics, which has been certifying businesses that meet its criteria since 2008.
Despite a state and a federal minimum wage of just $7.25 an hour, NBOI bumped their entry-level hourly pay, according to Gomillion, up to $15 an hour in 2018 and then again to $18 an hour in 2022. Gomillion said NBOI had been considering the latest increase since 2021, but GWI as an incentive didn’t hurt either.
“GWI was not a hard sell,” says Gomillion. “The time is always right to invest in your greatest asset, which is your people. Our leaders want to do right by our employees.”
Gomillion’s language mirrors that of one of NBOI’s founders, Mickey Mauer, who was known to say, “People are the most important part of every deal.” According to Gomillion, the decision to pursue GWI fits in with NBOI’s “culture of excellence.”
The hourly increase at NBOI was made for current employees first but will also apply to all future employees yet to be hired. Entry-level tellers, for which NBOI is currently hiring, have to be 18 years old; if they work at the company for a year, they also gain access to tuition reimbursement resources.
GWI provides participating Marion County employers with marketing resources and a network of other businesses across the city who are committed to investing in their employees. For those businesses who cannot initially meet the $18/hour threshold, GWI offers Committed status for those organizations who are dedicated to raising wages to at least $18/hour and offering access to health insurance benefits within the span of the next two years.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind (May 25, 2022) – EmployIndy is proud to announce our participation in Accelerate ED: Seamless Pathways to Degrees and Careers, an initiative that seeks to blur the lines between high school and higher education and career learning experiences, allowing students to earn a career-aligned credential or degree by the end of just one year after high school.
Together, with 11 other Accelerate ED grantees representing diverse communities and labor markets, EmployIndy and its partners will focus on redesigning K-12 and higher ed structures; strengthening local schools, higher education, community-based organization, and employer partnerships; aligning on common goals for what experiences and opportunities all students should have in grades 9-13; and identifying innovative ways to increase access to reach all students.
“EmployIndy is thrilled to help lead the design of postsecondary pathways in a student’s 13th year with expanded dual enrollment, early college credit, and career experiences in Marion County through the Accelerate ED grant,” says Marie Mackintosh, EmployIndy’s chief strategy officer. “This design sprint will create a blueprint for our community to advance proven delivery models that provide an established route for a student’s successful transition to a degree or the workforce.”
Research shows that these efforts are especially critical for Black and Latino students and students from low-income backgrounds who have historically had less access to high-quality career-aligned education pathways. In addition, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact college enrollment and student performance, there is an urgent need to invest in bridges across K-12, higher education, and the workforce to bring high school, college, and career pathways into tighter alignment.
With a $175,000 grant provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, EmployIndy and its partners making up the Indianapolis design team will seek to scale existing initiatives in Marion County to help ensure more students obtain an associate degree by the end of one additional year after high school graduation and are set on a path to future economic opportunity. The aim of the Accelerate ED initiative is to create exemplars that show that with clear commitment, strong partnerships, and aligned support, all students can successfully navigate transitions from high school to college to work.
The design team includes robust representation from K-12 and post-secondary education, local non-profit and industry organizations, and employers, many of whom are already engaged in work to identify the gaps in systems, processes, and structures specific to transparency for students around career pathway; advising for students and parents about career pathways; dual credit articulation; and consistent and deep engagement of employers in career readiness.
This design team’s service area includes 11 different public school districts with over 100 high schools and 75,000 students. Accelerate ED grantees are participating in a six-month design sprint to learn from each other and find practical solutions to the barriers that currently limit these opportunities from being available to all students. For the purpose of this six-month design sprint, the partners will focus on 12 high schools (with a total of over 5,000 students) within two school districts, IPS and MSD Warren.
“As a partner recipient of the Accelerate ED grant, MSD Warren is eager to strengthen its partnerships across K-12, higher education, local employers, and youth-serving organizations,” says Dr. Steve E. Rodgers, director at Walker Career Center. “From technical assistance to individualized coaching from community-based organizations, the six-month design sprint will help us to ensure that students are heard as we expand programming and that increasing their individual opportunities remains centered in this work.”
Many Central Indiana students currently struggle to advance in their chosen pathway due to credit deficiencies and a lack of certified instructors to teach dual enrollment courses. EmployIndy and its partners will design and expand career pathways in certain key sectors with 13th-year opportunities through existing delivery models such as Ivy Tech’s dual credit program and Associate Accelerated Program (ASAP), and Modern Apprenticeship (MAP)– to increase the number of students successfully persisting through career pathways and earning high-value credentials.
In addition to the development of a 13th-year pathway leading to industry employment, Purdue Global’s involvement in the design team will help illuminate pathways for completion of a bachelor’s degree. The incorporation of Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis and Purdue Global (an online program) includes approximately 64,000 additional post-secondary students as part of the geographic scope. Amazon Web Services is working with Ivy Tech to train and certify 5,000 individuals over the next two years.
Indy Achieves Promise Scholarships help Marion County residents complete their postsecondary education through gap-closing scholarships and individualized support
INDIANAPOLIS – 14 May 2022 – On Saturday afternoon, 124 Indy Achieves scholars, including the very first two Promise Scholars, received their diploma as a part of the Spring 2022 graduating class at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. 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.
Shaune Sterling and Shyne Liwanag, Indy Achieves Promise Scholars, received ongoing help throughout their time as students with gap-closing scholarships. On Saturday, they became the first two Promise Scholars to graduate from IUPUI since the inception of Indy Achieves in 2018. In addition to financial aid, Promise Scholars receive proactive and individualized support from Indy Achieves Student Success Coaches. The Student Success Coaches provide support with financial literacy, academic planning, accessing campus and community resources, and providing career opportunities.
“Indy Achieves was launched in an effort to make it possible for any Marion County resident, regardless of background, to get a degree or certificate after high school,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “These students are the realization of that effort. Through their education, they have a strong foundation from which to build a successful career and livelihood, and I can’t wait to see how they shape our city in the years to come.”
By 2025, 60% of Indiana jobs will require some form of postsecondary credentials, yet currently just 40% of Marion County residents hold credentials beyond high school. Indy Achieves is committed to increasing the proportion of Indianapolis adults with high-quality postsecondary credentials to 65% of residents by 2027, and to eliminating attainment gaps that currently exist for minority residents.
“The support that I received from my Student Success Coach was very helpful, especially during the pandemic,” said Shaune Sterling, Indy Achieves Promise Scholar. “It was great to know that I had the financial support as well, from my Promise Scholarship.”
To accomplish the goals of increasing opportunities for postsecondary credentials, Indy Achieves works to increase the number of individuals who apply for existing financial aid programs such as 21st Century Scholars and FAFSA as well as provide Promise Scholarships, Completion Grants, and wraparound support services for Marion County students who attend IUPUI as well as Ivy Tech – Indianapolis.
“Since its launch, Indy Achieves has helped over 3,000 Marion County residents complete their postsecondary credential or degree. This goes a long way to meeting the demands of our city’s rapidly evolving employment market,” said Angela Carr Klitzsch, EmployIndy president and CEO. “Indy Achieves remove barriers to completion, making a postsecondary education obtainable for all. Good and promising jobs in our city require education beyond high school and these scholars have become competitive candidates in a growing pipeline of talent.”
This graduating group will also include completion grant recipients which receive one-time awards to cover unpaid bursar bills or other substantial debts that would have prevented them from continuing their postsecondary education. Marion County residents who are interested in applying for promise scholarships or completion grants can learn more at indyachieves.org.
Indy Achieves Promise Scholarships and Completion Grants help Marion County residents complete their postsecondary education
INDIANAPOLIS – 05 May 2022 – On Thursday evening, 75 Indy Achieves scholars walked across the stage to receive their diploma as a part of the Spring 2022 graduating class at Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis. 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.
Just before the scholars took to the stage to receive their diploma, Mayor Hogsett met with a group of them to offer congratulations. “The ambition behind Indy Achieves was to make it possible for any Marion County resident of any background to get a degree or certificate after high school,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “These students are the embodiment of that ambition. Through their education, they have a strong foundation from which to build a successful career and livelihood, and I can’t wait to see how they shape our city in the years to come.”
By 2025, 60% of Indiana jobs will require some form of postsecondary credentials, yet currently just 40% of Marion County residents hold credentials beyond high school. Indy Achieves is committed to increasing the proportion of Indianapolis adults with high-quality postsecondary credentials to 65% of residents by 2027, and to eliminating attainment gaps that currently exist for minority residents.
“Indy Achieves helped me at a time when I had reached a wall,” said Tapiwa Mzumara, Indy Achieves scholar and student body president of the Student Government Association at Ivy Tech – Indianapolis. “I had to start working because I no longer had the financial backing to continue. Indy Achieves gave me the support and finances to go back to school and to keep moving forward.”
To accomplish the goals of increasing opportunities for postsecondary credentials, Indy Achieves works to increase the number of individuals who apply for existing financial aid programs such as 21st Century Scholars and FAFSA as well as provide Promise Scholarships, Completion Grants, and wraparound support services for Marion County students who attend Ivy Tech Indianapolis and IUPUI.
“Since its launch, Indy Achieves has helped over 3,000 Marion County residents meet the demands of our city’s rapidly evolving employment market by completing their postsecondary credential or degree,” said Angela Carr Klitzsch, EmployIndy president and CEO. “These scholarships and grants go a long way in making a postsecondary education obtainable for all residents by removing barriers to completion. Our scholars are becoming competitive candidates for the good and promising jobs in our city that require education beyond high school.”
Joining the 310 Indy Achieves students who have previously graduated with degrees and credentials from Ivy Tech, this group included both promise scholars, who receive ongoing help throughout their time as students with gap-closing scholarships, and completion grant recipients which receive one-time awards to cover unpaid bursar bills or other substantial debts that would have prevented them from continuing their postsecondary education. Marion County residents who are interested in receiving a completion grant to attend Ivy Tech Community College for the Fall 2022 term must submit an application before July 15, 2022. Marion County residents who are interested in receiving a completion grant to attend IUPUI for the Fall 2022 term must submit an application before June 1, 2022.
Individuals interested in applying for promise scholarships or completion grants can learn more at indyachieves.org.
GWI CERTIFICATION RECOGNIZES AND PROMOTES EMPLOYERS THAT PAY $18/HR AND PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind (April 25, 2022) – EmployIndy has publicly launched the Good Wages Initiative (GWI) in Marion County which certifies, celebrates, and showcases Marion County employers that have voluntarily committed to providing full-time employees both a wage of at least $18/hour and access to employer-sponsored health insurance benefits.
In 2018, the Brookings Institution partnered with the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership to produce a report examining Central Indiana’s economic future. Advancing Opportunity in Central Indiana outlines numerous ways the area can develop strategies to increase the availability of more good and promising jobs that pay living wages. Their research determined that $18/hour, paired with employer-sponsored health insurance, is the general living wage for the Indianapolis area (the number of working and non-working individuals in a household, along with other factors not considered, affect the standard of living for household members).
“Paying good wages and providing employer-sponsored health insurance gives businesses critical advantages in today’s labor market, from reductions in turnover to increased productivity,” says Marie Mackintosh, EmployIndy’s chief strategy officer. “Employees experience reduced financial stress and improved health outcomes while the community benefits through increased buying power and overall job quality.”
Employers also benefit from increased attention and loyalty from consumers seeking to support businesses with employment practices that align with their personal values.
“Employers are looking for ways to keep the talent they have while also building a pipeline for roles today and the future,” said Kate Pangallo, director of talent partnerships, Indy Chamber. “The Good Wages Initiative supports businesses by showcasing their voluntary commitment to support their employees, their families, and their futures. That commitment can significantly differentiate an employer and lead to a more inclusive economy in Indianapolis.”
GWI is part of EmployIndy’s Choice Employer’s program, designed to help businesses become an employer of choice for job seekers and attract new consumers through job quality practices including good wages, culture and diversity, career pathways, and employee support. As Marion County’s workforce development board, EmployIndy oversees the Good Wages Initiative to further its commitment to Indianapolis’ employers and residents. EmployIndy utilizes a Lilly Endowment grant to support the launch of the Good Wages Initiative.
“Paying good wages is foundational to ensuring Indianapolis has a competitive workforce ecosystem, one where employers have access to talented and engaged employees and where workers have access to quality jobs and economic mobility,” said Jamey Applegate, director of the Good Wages Initiative at EmployIndy. “The Good Wages Initiative helps advance this work by celebrating and showcasing employers who have determinedthat their future prospects are enhanced by being committed to paying wages that help sustain workers.”
GWI certification provides heightened opportunities to promote an employer’s commitment to paying sustainable wages—which can help those businesses attract the most qualified employees first.Certified GWI employers gain access to marketing resources to promote and acknowledge their commitment to paying good wages. Exclusive certified GWI employer networking and idea exchange opportunities are offered, as well.
Committed GWI status is available for employers who are not yet paying all full-time employees at least $18/hour and/or providing access to healthcare benefits but are committed to becoming a certified GWI employer within two years. Committed GWI employers receive the initial support necessary to develop a plan for raising wages and reaching certified status, including technical assistance and networking opportunities to connect and share ideas with peer employers who have also prioritized employer/employee relations.
“We applaud our partners at EmployIndy for launching the Good Wages Initiative. Through expert and deeply data-driven research beginning in 2018, the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership has sought to inform the public square when it comes to better understanding what a ‘good job’ actually is in Central Indiana, and the pay and benefits it must provide for families to make ends meet, even in our relatively low-cost marketplace” says David L. Johnson, president and CEO, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership. “EmployIndy is now taking the critical next step, on both the data and the moral imperative to make this an even better, and far more inclusive place to live, work and raise a family.”
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.
One persistent perception of apprenticeships is that they are confined to trade-specific careers. Apprenticeships do work well for current and future electricians, landscapers, plumbers, and carpenters, but the potential for this mode of building and training a company’s own employment talent can be applied much more broadly, particularly during this unique time where job postings seem to perpetually outnumber applicants.
Katz, Sapper & Miller (KSM) CPA & Advisors is one local company that is proving the potential for an apprenticeship with the help of Ben Davis High School student Daniel Camacho. Katz, Sapper & Miller (KSM) CPA & Advisors is “a leading advisory, tax, and audit firm providing visionary people with the inspiration, insight, and technical expertise they need to achieve great things.” Daniel has come alongside that work as a staff accountant in his first year in the Modern Apprenticeship (MAP) program.
Of his experience thus far, Daniel says, “I am already starting to observe what an actual workday at a firm will look like and have a much better understanding of the CPA exam. MAP is also going to assist me with my college education.”
MAP is an innovative program designed in partnership with EmployIndy and Ascend Indiana. Katz, Sapper & Miller (KSM) CPA & Advisors is just one employer participant among a diverse group that also includes OneAmerica, AES Indiana, Techpoint, Roche, Ivy Tech Community College, and The Heritage Group, the majority of which host at least two apprentices. These and other companies offer a two to three-year apprenticeship experience that starts during a student’s junior year of high school.
In looking towards the future, Daniel also added that “My goals are to go to college, graduate with at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting, pass the CPA exam, and to find a job I love. MAP has given me a head start with all of these.”
Modern Apprenticeship combines on-the-job learning with paid employment, college credit, and the prospect of earning industry credentials. The apprentices themselves, who are recruited from more than seven local high schools, are heavily supported throughout the process by EmployIndy Youth Apprenticeship Managers (YAMs).
“We are thrilled to work with the MAP program as they have identified unique opportunities to partner with companies to seek diverse talent for the future,” says Karen Hill, Director, Talent Acquisition & Staffing at Katz, Sapper & Miller (KSM) CPA & Advisors. “The program prepares employers by giving mentoring and tools to gather vital information to ensure the students are on track and being utilized.”
Daniel also has positive things to say about his colleagues at Katz, Sapper & Miller (KSM) CPA & Advisors: “I have been treated in such a welcoming manner that I identify the people as being my favorite part of the experience so far. They have given me opportunities and treated me with respect. I am inexperienced compared to them but they address me as if I am on their level.”
If your organization missed out on the first MAP cohort but you think you might be interested in participating in a future cycle, be sure to get in touch with the Business Partnerships team by visiting employindy.org/business-partnerships.
EmployIndy Business Development Manager Tracy Hartman secured a booth for the EmployIndy Business Partnerships team at the recent Indiana Mineral Aggregate Association (IMAA) winter trade show at Indianapolis’s JW Marriott on January 31 and February 1 of 2022.
In existence since 1934 and a supporter of Women Leaders in Mining & Aggregates (WLMA), “The purpose of the Indiana Mineral Aggregates Association,” according to its website, “is to solve common problems of the Indiana aggregate producing industry, principally in the areas of specifications for aggregates, mine safety, and reclamation, air and water pollution, legislation, research for improvements in aggregates used, increased public awareness of the importance of aggregate products in their daily lives, and broadening the use and application of aggregates in Indiana.”
Aggregates are minerals, gravel, sand, slag, and broken or crushed stone, the likes of which “are essential construction materials for residential and commercial development, as well as for improvements to infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, dams, hospitals, schools, and water/sewer systems.” For EmployIndy’s interests, these industries “employ approximately 2,300 workers” across the state, and—according to, again, the website, “pay almost $100 million in wages.”
“We spoke to multiple organizations located in Indianapolis and surrounding counties and were also able to turn the event into a great team-building exercise,” Hartman said.
Hartman in particular could be seen enticing attendees to the swag-filled EmployIndy booth and adding to the team’s fun with a trick of her own: brownie delivery, as cool and efficient as the best restaurant workers in Indianapolis.
Other EmployIndy attendees included Business Development Managers Connie Harris and Wendy Parker, as well as Account Managers Trish McDonald and Chris Schumerth.
The business partnerships team was able to connect with a number of organizations that included but were not limited to the following:
Martin Marietta
Irving Material
General Drilling, Inc.
MacAllister Machinery Co., Inc.
Brandeis Machinery & Supply Company
US Aggregates
Xylem
Rudd Equipment Company
Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
IMAA Executive Director Calvin Lee was one who wandered over to the EmployIndy table with some intentionality, wondering if and how EmployIndy may be able to help his organization identify worthy recipients for the IMAA scholarship program.
A discussion also transpired around how EmployIndy might be able to occupy some space in the IMAA quarterly newspaper in the near future. The groundwork has been set for even for partnership across Marion County.
To request EmployIndy’s participation in your next workforce development event or to learn more about how your organization can partner with EmployIndy, visitemployindy.org/business-partnerships.
All-new online platform to add to nearly 13,000 young adults hired since inception
Indianapolis – March 10, 2022 – This morning at Crew Carwash, Mayor Joe Hogsett and EmployIndy kicked off the summer hiring season by announcing the 2022 edition of the Project Indy summer jobs initiative. Project Indy is currently offering 1,261 positions from 63 local employers on its all-new online platform at projectindy.net, which makes applying for jobs easier than ever.
“By offering real-world job experience, Project Indy partners do much more than provide a paycheck,” said Mayor Hogsett. “They allow young people to explore opportunities along a productive path, at a time when negative influences can be harmful to individuals and the community at large. Essentially, it allows young people to define their futures for themselves. That’s good for our youth, it’s good for our employers, and it’s great for our city.”
Since Mayor Hogsett’s launch of Project Indy in 2016 with EmployIndy, the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, and the Marion County Commission on Youth, the program has empowered nearly 13,000 young adults in Marion County by providing work experiences that build their employability skills and allow them to explore new career fields. During that time, 218 employers have posted open positions on the portal.
New this year, Project Indy has moved to a new virtual platform that utilizes text messaging to recruit and onboard job seekers. Youth ages 16-24 can get started by simply texting “project Indy” to 317-659-9657. Other additions include a location-based tool to connect to nearby opportunities, as well as an enhanced tool to filter by interest. Once registered, job seekers can easily apply to any of the hundreds of open positions by providing a few pieces of basic information. The website upgrade was made possible through a partnership with PivotCX, formerly WorkHere.
Hiring youth in Indy provides job opportunities, soft-skill development, and job-readiness training to in-school and out-of-school youth in Marion County. Additionally, it offers employers, such as Crew Carwash, the opportunity to create a talent pipeline for their business or industry and play an important role in training the future workforce.
“We feel it is important to invest in our people and their future,” said Sally Grant, Executive Vice President at Crew Carwash. “We hire many 16, 17 and 18-year-olds who come to Crew as a first time job. We work hard to provide them world class training, great benefits, and a fun working environment that sets them up for success here at Crew and in future endeavors.”
EmployIndy, which administers Project Indy, will be increasing awareness about the enhanced tool over the coming weeks. That includes face-to-face recruiting at Indianapolis-area high schools, targeted social media campaigns, and presence at local youth hiring fairs. Through increased in-person outreach, EmployIndy hopes to exceed the job seeker participation limited in recent years by the pandemic. In 2021, over 2,000 young people in Indianapolis were connected to job opportunities through Project Indy.
“Project Indy provides an incredible opportunity for young people to gain valuable work experience and soft-skill development, and job-readiness training through Job Ready Indy prepares them for these jobs,” said EmployIndy President & CEO, Angela Carr Klitzsch. “Employers can be confident that they’re hiring eager and ready candidates.”
EmployIndy, in partnership with Mayor Joe Hogsett’s office and the Indy Chamber, launched Job Ready Indy in 2018, an online employability skills program focused on providing the soft skills needed to succeed in the workplace. When an individual completes one of the online courses, a Job Ready Indy badge will appear on their Project Indy profile – notifying an interested employer that they are deemed by EmployIndy and the Indy Chamber as someone who demonstrates the “job-ready” skills that are important in the workplace.
Regardless of company size or resources, every organization can make a difference in their community through Project Indy. Youth ages 16-24 can learn more and apply at projectindy.net or by texting “project Indy” to 317-659-9657. Employers interested in hiring youth can also sign up using the link.
A toolkit with social media assets, a video from Mayor Hogsett, and other materials is available here.
2022 Regional JAG Career Development Conference celebrates high school student’s career readiness and employability skills development
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – February 23, 2022 – Yesterday afternoon, the Regional Jobs for America’s Graduates Career Development Conference took place virtually, showcasing the skills that Marion County students have learned throughout their time in the Job for America’s Graduates (JAG) program. Jobs for America’s Graduates is a program for high school juniors and seniors that helps arm them with the career development and employability skills to be successful after high school – whether they choose to pursue a postsecondary degree, a credential or enter the workforce. This annual conference provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their career readiness skills, in a competition format, that they learn throughout the school year.
“We are so proud of our students who have worked so hard to build important career readiness skills that will help them succeed in the future,” said Erika Cheney, Vice President of K-12 at EmployIndy. “While we would love to be in person today rather than virtual, we know that this opportunity to showcase their skills is still so important to their development.”
During the 2021-2022 school year, JAG served 807 students in 15 Indianapolis area schools. Traditionally, the Regional JAG Career Development Conference would be a full-day in-person event, with over a hundred student participants demonstrating career readiness skills in front of dozens of volunteer judges. Competitions include critical thinking, financial literacy, employability skills, entrepreneurship, public speaking, outstanding seniors, and more.
“It is incredible to see the confidence and desire on display during this competition,” said Angela Carr Klitzsch, President & CEO of EmployIndy. “These young people are learning essential employability skills that will last them far beyond high school and prepare them to be a successful employee and addition to the workforce.”
Among the various competitions and student displays, this year’s event welcomed keynote speaker Flora Jones, Director of Student Pathways at the Indiana Department of Education, as well as a host of sponsors who made this event possible.
James Vann-Mincy, Jr., Crispus Attucks High School
Joselyn Mejia, Shortridge High School
Creative Solutions:
Larry Long, Decatur Central High School 2
Dekeem Sanders, Decatur Township School for Excellence
Kollin Sweeney, Ben Davis High School 1
Critical Thinking:
Amaya Henry, Shortridge High School
Elijah Reid, Decatur Central High School 2
Prince Ndahiriwe, Decatur Central High School 1
Employability Skills:
Grace Gill, Decatur Central High School 1
Clint Harris, Warren Central High School
Kayana Dickerson, Crispus Attucks High School
Financial Literacy:
Shaniya Stanford, Decatur Central High School 2
Hailey Wood, Decatur Central High School 1
Ciarra Searcy, Crispus Attucks High School
Public Speaking:
Kameron Durham, Shortridge High School
Sarah Bennett, Southport High School
Basra Isaack, Decatur Central High School 2
Writing Skills:
Amonn Burns, George Washington High School
Malachi Flournoy, Shortridge High School
Isioma Dumbili, Crispus Attucks High School
Outstanding Seniors:
Nevaeh Smith, Shortridge High School
Emily Baca-Stewart, George Washington High School
Sharon Oyatayo, Decatur Central High School 2
About EmployIndy
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 24 business, civic, education and nonprofit community leaders, EmployIndy invests $25 million in public, private and philanthropic funds for both youth and adults annually. Learn more at employindy.org.
Through the integration of traditional education, skills enhancement, and innovative on-the-job experiences, EmployIndy is committed to connecting Marion County’s youth with local employers to maximize workplace exposure before entering the workforce. Our organization continues to scale high-quality, career-connected learning by utilizing a variety of collaborative partnerships, programs, and initiatives. One such partnership began in August of 2021 when EmployIndy received a $15,000 grant from Verizon to help connect Marion County students to tech-related opportunities and industry pathways.
This investment offers barrier-busting support for students who face inequitable challenges in accessing career services, such as transportation and food insecurity, and also supports programming for Talent Bound, EmployIndy’s work-based learning initiative. Talent Bound prepares Marion County’s young people for career exploration and engagement while providing opportunities for on-the-job experience and hands-on learning with local employers. The initiative offers targeted services for both Opportunity Youth– young adults, ages 16 to 24, who have disengaged from secondary education or are disconnected from the workforce upon graduation– as well as in-school youth, with programs such Modern Apprenticeship (MAP) and Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG).
The Verizon investment provides an estimated 300 young people participating in either the continuum of Talent Bound activities or in the MAP and JAG programs with bus transportation, lunches, and program swag. This partnership has since extended to panel discussions, site tours, and speaking opportunities. On December 7th, 2021, four representatives from Verizon participated in a panel discussion at Arsenal Technical High School in which they provided an overview of Verizon, its products and services, future careers, and its commitment to supporting local, educational initiatives.
“The Verizon panel was a great experience for students. Students learned that the company is highly diverse, comprised of many divisions, and future career opportunities are endless,” said Derrick Barnett, work-based learning coordinator at Arsenal Technical High School.
During the panel discussion, each representative shared their individual stories of both successes and challenges, beginning with high school and to the present day. 52 Arsenal Tech students– 16 seniors from Computer Science and 36 from freshmen Preparing for College & Careers– were present for this event. Students were very interested in part-time employment opportunities with Verizon; they were also able to network with the Verizon representatives over lunch.
“This panel was a great way for students at Arsenal Tech High School to see the many different opportunities within a tech-related career,” says Matt Simpson, Associate Director of Talent Bound at EmployIndy. “The Verizon employees had varying levels of experience and unique professional journeys, and it was an excellent way to showcase the variety of career pathways available in the tech industry.”
The Verizon panel sparked even more potential opportunities for Verizon to engage with Talent Bound students, including mock interviews, resume writing, job shadowing, and possible field trips to the Verizon corporate office this next semester.
You can learn more about Talent Bound and its opportunities for partnership by visiting www.talentbound.org.
All 6 badges will now be accessible online, for completion at individual’s own desired pace
INDIANAPOLIS – 7 February 2022 – To increase access for all Marion County residents regardless of age or experience level, Job Ready Indy (JRI) will launch its curriculum online on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. The online Job Ready Indy curriculum, an employability skills badging system, expands the scope beyond the original in-person programming.
Job Ready Indy was developed in collaboration with Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s office, EmployIndy, the Indy Chamber, and various employers and community organizations from across Marion County. Since its launch in 2018, JRI has served over 3,100 participants through employability skills curriculum, intensive in-person discussions, and comprehensive enrichment activities.
“The expansion of the Job Ready Indy curriculum to an online format will allow all Marion County residents, not just young people, the opportunity to utilize this critical resource,” said Mayor Hogsett. “By increasing the number of residents equipped with fundamental skills to enter the workforce, we’re boosting the talent pool for employers and growing our local economy.”
Starting February 15, participants can earn each of the 6 JRI badges, learn new skills, and enhance their overall career competency through online interactive courses on EmployIndy’s Learning Hub. Participants can engage with the JRI courses on their own or through a trained JRI Provider. The badge courses are accessed through a personalized login and can be completed on a computer or mobile device at the individual’s desired pace. Badges are digitally awarded and automatically displayed on participants’ Learning Hub profile or Project Indy profile (if applicable). They can also be downloaded as a transcript and added to participants’ professional portfolio, listed on their resume, or shared directly with employers.
This expanded version also includes updated skills within each of the six badges, aligning with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development’s (DWD) own shift in employability skills definitions.
“No matter how much workplace experience a person may have, the expanded online curriculum helps build and enhance durable competencies needed to take their career to the next level,” said EmployIndy President & CEO, Angela Carr Klitzsch, “Employers can continue to hire Job Ready Indy participants with confidence, knowing that they have the foundational employability skills needed for today’s workplace.”
Additionally, EmployIndy has developed optional, in-person one-on-one or small group activities for JRI providers to lead participants in. These supplemental activities dive deeper into the online content of each badge, promoting relationship-building and allowing providers to give hands-on support to each participant.
A virtual informational session will be held on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, from 9:00-10:00 AM for existing JRI Providers and members of the EmployIndy Ecosystem who are interested in becoming a JRI Provider for the first time. This info session will outline new content and the online delivery method, as well as walk through what both providers and participants can expect from this experience. Registration for the virtual information session can be found here.
To learn more about Job Ready Indy or to access participant or provider information, visit www.jobreadyindy.org.
About EmployIndy
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 24 business, civic, education and nonprofit community leaders, EmployIndy invests $25 million in public, private and philanthropic funds for both youth and adults annually. Learn more at employindy.org.
This initiative will help create a Community of Practice committed to learning and working together to increase support for students on the path to postsecondary education
INDIANAPOLIS – 26 January 2022 – Yesterday evening at Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis, Indy Achieves, an initiative of Mayor Joe Hogsett launched in 2018, brought together 20 educators from across Marion County to collaborate on the Community of Practice Planning Committee (CPPC), a six-meeting initiative to create a Community of Practice committed to learning and working together to increase support for students on the path to postsecondary education.
“I am eager to see the Community of Practice Planning Committee come together to support the goals of youth in our community,” said Angela Carr Klitzsch, President & CEO of EmployIndy, where Indy Achieves is housed. “The work that Indy Achieves and these dedicated educators do will be invaluable in providing students with the tools to be successful after leaving high school.”
Indy Achieves created the CPPC to jumpstart formal efforts to address challenges of postsecondary success, by bringing together highly qualified educators. To begin this work in Marion County, Indy Achieves invited schools county-wide to apply to the CPPC, offering grants to selected schools for investing into the effort of guiding our students to success after high school graduation. These schools will lay the foundation for an ongoing Community of Practice, a network which strives to have a collective impact on postsecondary attainment in Marion County.
“We are committed to helping each student achieve their aspirations during and after high school. We value the 21st Century Scholarship program and Indy Achieves and the many opportunities they provide our students. We are excited to be a part of the Community of Practice Planning Committee to learn and share best practices, identify barriers, and find solutions that will support all students in Marion County,” said Kara Moreland, College & Careers Administrator at Christel House High School on her school’s acceptance to the CPPC.
Indy Achieves received 21 applications from various schools throughout Marion County. Through the selection process, six high schools and four middle schools were selected to participate, each represented by a school counselor and/or administrator pair. An additional four schools have been invited to participate as observing members. The criteria for selection included past performance on 21st Century Scholars enrollment and Scholar Success Program completion, among other data points.
Through the end of the 2022 school year, six meetings will be held at Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis for these educators to share best practices and develop innovative approaches to address the needs of students and their families. Among these discussions, the meetings will also connect educators to resources from community-based organizations, Ivy Tech, and data tools to streamline their efforts. Upon conclusion of the CPPC, the committee will decide on a framework for a permanent Community of Practice to continue and expand their efforts.
“When you bring together individuals who are passionate about seeing all students succeed, it is a win-win! We are thrilled to have representation of districts across Marion County for the CPPC. The innovative ideals and processes that will come from the continued work of the Community of Practice will be key in the success of our students now and to come.” said Esther Woodson, Director of Indy Achieves.
The Community of Practice Planning Committee aims to set the groundwork for sustaining and further building the Community of Practice in 2023, supported by the efforts of local educators and Indy Achieves.
2022 Community of Practice Planning Committee members include:
Indianapolis Public Schools
Longfellow STEM Middle School
Jimmie Ellison, Counselor
Stacy Coleman, Principal
Shortridge High School
Andrea Harris, Counselor
Dennis Thomas, Principal
Mayor’s Sponsored Charter Schools
Victory College Prep
Amber Walker, College & Career Readiness Teacher
Jenna Beck, Asst. Principal
Christel House High School
Kara Moreland, College and Careers Administrator
Paige Pittman, Principal
KIPP Indy Legacy High School
Randi Perry, Director of Counseling and Social Services
MSD of Lawrence Township
Lawrence North High School
Connie Sivertson, School Counselor & Department Leader
Brett Crousore, Principal
Belzer Middle School
Bonita Neal, Counselor
Lukas Muller, Assistant Principal
MSD of Perry Township
Southport High School
Briana Underwood, Counselor
Julie Fierce, Counseling Director
MSD of Washington Township
Northview Middle School
Molly Henry, Professional School Counselor
Jennifer Dodson, District Lead School Counselor, Grades 6-12
MSD of Wayne Township
Ben Davis High School
Sherman Woodard, Guidance Director
Rebecca Daugherty-Saunders, Director of College & Career Readiness
About Indy Achieves
Indy Achieves is a program created by Mayor Joe Hogsett and housed at EmployIndy that aims to ensure that every Indianapolis resident has the ability to complete a postsecondary credential or degree program. To accomplish this, Indy Achieves seeks to increase the number of individuals who apply for existing financial aid programs such as 21st Century Scholars and FAFSA as well as provide Indy Achieves Promise Scholarships and wraparound support services for Marion County students who attend Ivy Tech Indianapolis and IUPUI. Learn more at indyachieves.org.
About EmployIndy
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 24 business, civic, education and nonprofit community leaders, EmployIndy invests $20 million in public, private and philanthropic funds for both youth and adults annually. Learn more at employindy.org.
The National Bank of Indianapolis has been around since 1993. Partnership with EmployIndy may not go quite that far back, but it goes a lot farther back than Gomillion’s five months in his current professional role. Even so, the decision by his employer to pursue the Good Wages Initiative (GWI), which officially launched in April of 2022, was made during Gomillion’s tenure at NBOI. GWI certifies, celebrates, and showcases Marion County employers that are committed to providing full-time employees both a wage of at least $18/hour and access to health insurance benefits.
Just before the scholars took to the stage to receive their diploma, Mayor Hogsett met with a group of them to offer congratulations. “The ambition behind Indy Achieves was to make it possible for any Marion County resident of any background to get a degree or certificate after high school,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “These students are the embodiment of that ambition. Through their education, they have a strong foundation from which to build a successful career and livelihood, and I can’t wait to see how they shape our city in the years to come.”
“We spoke to multiple organizations located in Indianapolis and surrounding counties and were also able to turn the event into a great team-building exercise,” Hartman said. 
This investment offers barrier-busting support for students who face inequitable challenges in accessing career services, such as transportation and food insecurity, and also supports programming for 
Indy Achieves created the CPPC to jumpstart formal efforts to address challenges of postsecondary success, by bringing together highly qualified educators. To begin this work in Marion County, Indy Achieves invited schools county-wide to apply to the CPPC, offering grants to selected schools for investing into the effort of guiding our students to success after high school graduation. These schools will lay the foundation for an ongoing Community of Practice, a network which strives to have a collective impact on postsecondary attainment in Marion County.