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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.

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.

 

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.

You can learn more about JAG Indiana by visiting employindy.org/youth-services/jag.

Gold Sponsors 

Indiana Army National Guard
PNC Bank
Verizon

Award Recipients

Chapter Brochure:

  1. McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology

  2. Ben Davis High School

  3. Warren Central High School

Chapter Social Media Campaign:

  1. Beech Grove High School

  2. Ben Davis High School

Chapter Commercial:

  1. Arsenal Technical High School

  2. Beech Grove High School

Team Entrepreneurship Plan:

  1. Decatur Central High School 1

  2. Ben Davis High School 2

  3. Decatur Central High School 2

Career Presentation:

  1. LaQuera Williams, Southport High School

  2. Nevaeh Smith, Shortridge High School

  3. Michaela Ingram, Decatur Central High School 2

Digital Invitation/Cover Design:

  1. Lisette Minera, Ben Davis High School

  2. James Vann-Mincy, Jr., Crispus Attucks High School

  3. Joselyn Mejia, Shortridge High School

Creative Solutions:

  1. Larry Long, Decatur Central High School 2

  2. Dekeem Sanders, Decatur Township School for Excellence

  3. Kollin Sweeney, Ben Davis High School 1

Critical Thinking:

  1. Amaya Henry, Shortridge High School

  2. Elijah Reid, Decatur Central High School 2

  3. Prince Ndahiriwe, Decatur Central High School 1

Employability Skills:

  1. Grace Gill, Decatur Central High School 1

  2. Clint Harris, Warren Central High School

  3. Kayana Dickerson, Crispus Attucks High School

Financial Literacy:

  1. Shaniya Stanford, Decatur Central High School 2

  2. Hailey Wood, Decatur Central High School 1

  3. Ciarra Searcy, Crispus Attucks High School

Public Speaking:

  1. Kameron Durham, Shortridge High School

  2. Sarah Bennett, Southport High School

  3. Basra Isaack, Decatur Central High School 2

Writing Skills:

  1. Amonn Burns, George Washington High School

  2. Malachi Flournoy, Shortridge High School

  3. Isioma Dumbili, Crispus Attucks High School

Outstanding Seniors:

  1. Nevaeh Smith, Shortridge High School

  2. Emily Baca-Stewart, George Washington High School

  3. 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.

 

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.

 

 

INDIANAPOLIS – 15 December 2021 – On Wednesday morning, EmployIndy and YES Indy gathered at the Finish Line Boys & Girls Club to honor over 40 young people who were recognized for completing the YES Indy Power Huddle program, a two-week job readiness experience where individuals learn how they can change their future trajectory as well as develop a variety of employability skills that will help them map out and work towards reaching their academic, career, and life goals.

Central Indiana is home to over 30,000 Opportunity Youth– young adults, ages 16 to 24, who have disengaged from secondary education or are disconnected from the workforce upon graduation. In efforts to re-engage Marion County’s Opportunity Youth and create a positive trajectory for these young people, EmployIndy launched YES Indy REC in 2018. Shortly thereafter, the Power Huddle was launched as the forward-facing program of YES Indy REC. Since the inception of the Power Huddle program, this is the largest cohort to have completed the program.

“The Power Huddle most definitely gives you more opportunities. The experience helps you understand how to be a good worker and with our mock interviews and other things we did, it helps prepare you for getting a job as well,” Said Jada Webster, an honoree at Wednesday’s event and completer of the Power Huddle program.

Upon completion of the program, participants will be enrolled in YES Indy where they are connected to a career navigator who will offer support and guidance as they enroll in education and training or transition into the workforce. As a part of enrollment within YES Indy, other services are available as well, such as transportation, temporary housing, re-entry services, counseling, and more.

“The growth of the YES Indy network has been instrumental in ensuring we create opportunities to support young people in our community so that they can see a vision for themselves in the future and in the workforce,” said Angela Carr Klitzsch, EmployIndy President & CEO. “Adding the Power Huddle has allowed us to dig deeper with young people and help them realize their dreams and desires.”

In an effort to provide participants with additional pillars of comprehensive wellness, YES Indy launched a partnership with the Fifth Third Foundation through a grant award that expanded the Power Huddle curriculum to include Fifth Third Bank’s Financial Education for High School course as well as opportunities for High School Equivalency/Adult Basic Education courses as a result of their grant award.

“Through the great work of my colleagues and our many community partners, the Power Huddle experience is transforming lives in an inspiring way,” said Rev. Rodney Francis, Chief Programs Officer at EmployIndy. “We’re seeing young adults come in on that first day nearly hopeless, with their heads hanging low, disengaged, disenchanted and disillusioned by their circumstances and lack of opportunities for their lives. But by the end of the two weeks, they are standing before the entire group smiling, heads up, full of hope and proudly presenting vision boards for their lives and futures.”

In addition to honoring participants who completed the Power Huddle program, YES Indy also honored a handful of Marion County youth who completed the EcoLogic Restoration Internship and programming with YouthBuild Indy.

Registrations are currently open for the next YES Indy Power Huddle cohort, which runs from Tuesday, January 18th through Friday, January 28th at the Finish Line Boys & Girls Club on Post Road. To learn more about YES Indy REC and the YES Indy Power Huddle , visit yesindy317.org/power-huddle.

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.

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The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) holds the Young Adult Services (YAS) Summit annually to facilitate collaboration amongst youth service practitioners throughout the state. From workforce development to career engagement to educational accessibility, the YAS Summit presents an integral opportunity for service providers to align on best practices, develop ongoing strategies, and recognize successes each year. 

At this year’s YAS Summit, the Indiana DWD recognized Julie Barrett, Workforce Development Program Manager at the Martindale-Brightwood Community Development Corporation (MBCDC), as the Innovator of the Year for creative programming in support of Young Adult Services. 

Barrett was selected amongst the entirety of YES Indy’s Career Navigators to receive this award, remaining as one of the top Career Navigators in Indiana who serve the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act’s (WIOA) youth population. Her exemplary leadership has enhanced the scope of available services offered to Marion County’s young people, and her unwavering commitment to serving Hoosier youth continues to change countless lives across our community. 

“Julie’s passion, encouragement, and guidance help her build the trusting relationships that are important to improve the trajectory of young people’s lives. She coaches, she models, she cares; she provides tough love, and she gets results,” says Dionne Smith, Vice President, Neighborhood at EmployIndy. “Julie has helped numerous Opportunity Youth reach their own definitions of success, all because she believes in them and helps them believe in themselves.”

Martindale-Brightwood CDC has been very successful as the employer of record for the Disaster Recovery Grant. In this capacity, Julie Barrett and her team have placed nine WIOA Youth in promising jobs, servicing a community severely impacted by COVID-19. The Martindale-Brightwood CDC team is the only mobile WIOA program provider in Central Indiana. With an innovative delivery system, MBCDC is able to provide YES Indy services that are tailored to each individual they serve.

As a mobile provider, MBCDC is able to uniquely impact Opportunity Youth– people ages 16-24 who have become disconnected from school and/or work– with the support they need wherever their location might be. As a result, Barrett and her team receive all of the referrals from the DWD’s youth Department of Correction (DOC), all of Outreach Indiana referrals for young people experiencing homelessness, and all of the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) referrals for youth who do not graduate from High School. Barrett and her team work with Youth Build Indy to enroll those participants in WIOA programming as well. 

“Julie is an all-star service provider and an invaluable asset to Marion County’s Opportunity Youth as well as our community as a whole,” says Charlie Harris, Director, Opportunity Youth at EmployIndy. 

EmployIndy thanks Julie Barrett for her unwavering passion and dedication in serving Marion County’s young people. Her award is undoubtedly well-deserved. Congratulations on being honored as the YAS Innovator of the Year!

 

Central Indiana is home to over 30,000 Opportunity Youth– young adults, ages 16 to 24, who have disengaged from secondary education or are disconnected from the workforce upon graduation. Basic financial education is a need that often goes unmet for this group of individuals, making progress and stability difficult for themselves and their families. Due to being disengaged and disconnected, accessing basic financial education is often difficult or sometimes impossible.

Thanks to a partnership between Fifth Third Bank and YES Indy, however, Opportunity Youth now have an avenue through which they can access basic financial education, by participating in the YES Indy Power Huddle program. In efforts to re-engage Marion County’s Opportunity Youth and create a positive trajectory for these young people, EmployIndy launched YES Indy REC in 2018. Shortly thereafter, the Power Huddle, a two-week job readiness experience that helps Opportunity Youth get connected and improve their daily mindsets, was launched as the forward-facing program of YES Indy REC.

The Power Huddle supports overall YES Indy efforts by teaching young people ways in which they can change their future trajectory as well as engage in a variety of employability skills that will help them map out and work towards reaching their academic, career, and life goals. With a growing inventory of both experience and participation, the YES Indy team sought to expand the Power Huddle curriculum to include additional pillars of comprehensive wellness. The two-week intensive is already designed to focus on mindfulness, character, purpose, resilience, visioning, time management, work ethic, and learning strategies, but financial education as a key component of sustainable livelihood was missing. 

To address the need for financial education within this population, YES Indy’s Power Huddle was financially assisted by the Fifth Third Foundation through a grant award in partnership with EmployIndy. This investment will allow YES Indy to integrate Fifth Third Bank’s Financial Education for High School course into our Power Huddle programming. Additionally, participants without a High School Diploma or Equivalency will go through High School Equivalency/Adult Basic Education courses. 

“Fifth Third Bank is excited to partner with EmployIndy and integrate the Bank’s financial education for high school students through their Power Huddle program. We are committed to deepening the financial resources and education throughout the communities in which we live and serve, and EmployIndy is a great partner in making this vision come to life.” said Nashelle Frazier, Community and Economic Development Manager at Fifth Third.

In September of 2021, the Power Huddle incorporated a new program practitioner, Tawnya McCrary, a consultant with Training for Success, LLC., who has numerous years of experience in working with Opportunity Youth. Fifth Third Bank’s investment will allow the Power Huddle service provider to add one part-time employee, a Financial Education Coordinator, to facilitate the course as well as identify participants who will benefit from this opportunity and connect them to enrollment. Funding will be utilized to provide a $200 Earn ‘n’ Learn stipend as an incentive for each individual who completes the Power Huddle successfully, and an additional $100 deposit for completing the Financial Academy course. 

Based on a Power Huddle cohort from 2019, the goals of implementing this grant from Fifth Third Bank are as follows: 

The project will immediately be implemented from the award date for 12 months, from November 1, 2021, to October 31, 2022. During this grant period, 6 cohorts of 10 students (60 participants total) will attend Power Huddle sessions, with each cohort lasting two weeks, Monday through Friday. Short-term outcomes include Opportunity Youth gaining knowledge of financial wellness, improved workplace readiness skills, and barriers reduced to education and employment. The long-term impact of this programming includes a positive youth trajectory, a better workforce ecosystem, and a reduction in the regional poverty rate.

The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the Fifth Third Foundation.

 

 

Apprenticeship Week in Indianapolis celebrates apprenticeship programs in conjunction with National Apprenticeship Week organized by the U.S. Department of Labor

INDIANAPOLIS – 19 November 2021 – Today, Major Joe Hogsett highlighted the second full week in November as “Apprenticeship Week” in Indianapolis. This week-long celebration, occurring annually and in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Apprenticeship Week, will be lifted up by stakeholders who strive to promote both registered and youth apprenticeships throughout Central Indiana. In particular, 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. These apprenticeships throughout Central Indiana have provided a model of success for introducing our future workforce to expanded career pathways. High school students who complete Modern Apprenticeship, a youth apprenticeship program, have the opportunity to participate in hands-on work experience that complements their traditional coursework, in growing fields such as business, advanced manufacturing, healthcare and information technology (IT). Afterward, they can continue on to a college degree or jump right into the workforce. As the cost of college continues to rise, youth apprenticeships also offer a rare opportunity to get paid to learn while reducing student debt.“At such a time of transformation at every level of the economy, it is critical that Indianapolis youth have numerous and varied routes to finding a career,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. “Through programs like Modern Apprenticeship, we are creating pathways to good-paying jobs that go beyond traditional 2- or 4-year degrees. By recognizing Apprenticeship Week, we are highlighting those efforts while pledging further strides towards equity and opportunity.”As job candidates need more skill-based, hands-on training to thrive in 21st century jobs, youth apprenticeships also give Central Indiana employers a new way to build next-generation talent pipelines as well as create a viable option for advancing commitments to increasing racial and ethnic diversity.

About Modern Apprenticeship Modern Apprenticeship was launched in 2020 by EmployIndy and Ascend Indiana for Indianapolis high school students to prepare them for the future in high-demand industries. This program is a three-year work-based learning experience with local employers, where students will emerge with a high school diploma, college credits, relevant credentials and professional experience. Learn more at: indymodernapprenticeship.com

About EmployIndyEmployIndy 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.

EmployIndy and Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House on Tuesday, October 5th in celebration of Indy Achieves’ new offices at Ivy Tech’s downtown campus (50 W. Fall Creek Parkway, North Drive).

This event recognized the third year of Indy Achieves’ partnership with Ivy Tech Community College as well as the opening of the Indy Achieves Student Center at Ivy Tech Indianapolis. Indy Achieves is Mayor Joe Hogsett’s response to Indianapolis’ rapidly changing labor market by ensuring that every Indianapolis resident has the ability to both pursue and complete a postsecondary credential or degree program. Eligible new students or former Ivy Tech and IUPUI students with an outstanding balance in Marion County can utilize Indy Achieve’s wraparound services to earn a credential or degree.

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony began at 10:45 AM with opening remarks from Indy Achieves’ Leadership Team, including Matt Impink, VP Postsecondary and Executive Director of Indy Achieves at EmployIndy, and Esther Woodson, Director of Indy Achieves.  

“We are thrilled to open the Indy Achieves Student Center at Ivy Tech. Over this past year, we were able to award 341 Promise Scholarships and 154 Reconnect Completion Grants to Ivy Tech students as well as grow our number of onsite student success coaches,” said Matt Impink. “This space will not only support students to complete at Ivy Tech but provide supports for career connection as well.”

The opening remarks were followed by an address from Ivy Tech Indianapolis Chancellor, Dr. Lorenzo Esters. Of the impactful services that Indy Achieves offers students, Dr. Esters noted, “The success of Indy Achieves at Ivy Tech has been life-changing for our students.” Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett was also a keynote speaker at the celebration, sharing his pride for the program and of the achievements that students have accomplished with help from Indy Achieves.

“Since we created the Indy Achieves program in 2018, the importance of its original motivation has only heightened,” said Mayor Hogsett. “By providing more residents with accessible routes to complete post-secondary education, we are promoting equity and opportunity at a critical time. Today’s Ribbon Cutting renews that central ambition while marking the continued progress and expansion of this vital program.”

Indy Achieves student, Adriyanna Staten, and Ivy Tech Indianapolis Student Government Association President and Indy Achieves student, Tapiwa Mzumara, also gave testimonies to the impact of Indy Achieves on their personal lives and professional careers. After beginning her post-secondary education in 2013, Mzumara had to put her education on hold while caring for her chronically ill mother, dealing with financial hardships, and working to become a DACA recipient. She found herself with an outstanding balance and no way to pay it, forcing her to not return to Ivy Tech the following Spring Semester. 

In 2019, Mzumara was informed of Indy Achieves’ Completion Grant while working in retail to make ends meet. Marion County residents may apply for a completion grant to cover unpaid bursar bills or other substantial debts preventing students from continuing their postsecondary education. Upon receiving a Completion Grant, Mzumara was able to return to Ivy Tech Community College and continue pursuing her degree in Biotechnology. “Tapiwa has shared that this grant changed the trajectory of her life,” Esters added. “We are so proud of everything she and all Indy Achieves recipients have accomplished.”

The new offices remained open following the ribbon cutting, allowing students to see the new space and connect with Ivy Tech and Indy Achieves representatives. You can check out WISH-TV’s news coverage of this event to learn more. 

 

In a room full of cheering automotive service technicians and career navigators, three young menwere given the opportunity to put pen to paper and take a big step in their professional journey. There was a palpable sense of excitement as well as relief as Jeff Klein, Service and Parts Director at Champion Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Indianapolis, handed them their offer letters. After seeing these young men put in the hard work and effort over the past week, Klein and his team offered encouragement, wisdom and importantly, a chance to join their team. 

These three young men, along with several students participating at Ed Martin Buick GMC, each completed a weeklong Automotive Service Technician Training through YES Indy. These Industry Trainings provide students with the opportunity to gain valuable experience in a specific industry, build a foundation and work towards earning an employment offer. Since July 2020, roughly 45 individuals have completed one of the four Industry Trainings regularly offered by YES Indy: Automotive Service Technician Training, Construction Level-1 Generalist Training, Salesforce Administrator Training and Logistics Warehouse Associate Training.

“I loved it. I learned how to change oil, tires, brakes, and filters. My tech was good at answering my questions and I learned a lot.” said Marcus Lewis, a YES Indy participant who spent his time training at Champion Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.

“We’re very excited about what they’ve learned with us.” Said Kathy Cameron, Director of Fixed Operations at Ed Martin Buick GMC. YES Indy partners Champion Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Ed Martin Buick GMC, both located on Indy’s North side, are passionate about providing young people with the opportunity to explore new career fields and better themselves. “Tommie worked with two different automotive techs, with one being a GM World Class tech. Not many achieve that level.” Continued Cameron as she stood smiling next to Tommie, who had impressed during his week of training at Ed Martin Buick GMC. Thanks to his hard work and diligence, Tommie also received an offer of employment after completing his Industry Training.

Through a partnership between YES Indy, Flanner House of Indianapolis, Marian University and Nine13sports, participants not only had the opportunity to join the Automotive Service Technician Training, but also received several weeks of job readiness training, education support and career navigation through Flanner House programming. “Their growth in such a quick time frame is amazing. It’s wonderful to be able to put together a program where they can explore a new career field and make it into something that can sustain them for life.” Said Sibeko Jywanza, Director of Food Justice for Flanner House of Indianapolis.

Through the YES Indy Power Huddle, young persons are provided the tools to develop important employability and life skills as well as earn two Job Ready Indy badges: Mindsets and Social Skills. Both the YES Indy Power Huddle and YES Indy Industry Trainings are available for Marion County youth ages 16 – 24 who are not attending high school or college.

9 March 2021 – Indianapolis – Today launches the fifth year of the Project Indy Youth Jobs initiative. Through the Project Indy digital job search platform, thousands of Indianapolis young people are connected to jobs each year. This tool is used as a resource by over 100 employers as they seek to fill their full-time and part-time positions and youth as they look for employment, particularly during the summer months. As with all other things, this initiative and the young people it supports have seen the repercussions of the COVID-19 impact.

In 2020 over 32% of young adults 16-24 were employed in the hospitality and tourism industry – one that has suffered greatly from the pandemic. While this is felt globally, Indianapolis particularly struggled with a large portion of the local economy relying on the success of those industries.

“Project Indy has been incredibly successful over the past five years, connecting young people with jobs and skill-building opportunities in industries across Indianapolis,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “This year, Project Indy will be a part of our city’s economic comeback from the pandemic, boosting our hospitality and tourism workforces and contributing to overall job growth. And it will help employers as well, as young workers are exposed to new career paths in our city’s core industries. It truly is a win-win.”

Project Indy is a location-based, job search platform connecting young adults to local employers. With a large majority of the hospitality industry traditionally staffed by youth and young adults, major sporting events like the ones Indianapolis will host this March provide opportunities for youth to not only make money, but to obtain important job skills that will help them be successful as they progress through the workforce.

“Indianapolis is fortunate to be hosting upcoming basketball tournaments on the national stage,” said Department of Tourism, Event and Sports Management Chair at IUPUI, Brian Krohn. “Not only will the buzz positively impact our economy, there will also be many part-time jobs now available for young workers to assist with the influx of visitors and our hope that this will provide the opportunity for many of our local businesses to open their doors again.”

In Indianapolis, sports and events have always been tools to drive economic growth – and the tournaments will be no exception.

“Events like GenCon, FDIC, and now March Madness, held at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium are often considered to be what defines Indianapolis. I’ve always maintained that it’s the people behind events like these that make our city great,” said Andy Mallon, Executive Director, Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium. “By hiring through Project Indy, employers in all different industries, including hospitality, have the opportunity to invest in the next generation of young ambassadors for Indianapolis.”

By offering jobs throughout Indianapolis, Project Indy will be able to service events like those taking place this month. As youth are gainfully employed, they learn additional skills that will help them as they progress through their career.

“The ongoing impact of hiring a young person goes far beyond the day-to-day job responsibilities. What they learn will influence who they are as a person, how they grow in their soft and hard skills, and what industries they choose to go into when they formally progress into the workforce,” said Angela Carr Klitzsch, President & CEO of EmployIndy. “This provides us as employers an opportunity to make what we know will be beneficial investments both short- and long-term as we impact someone today and arm them with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the future.”

Employers can sign up today to have their positions listed on the Project Indy job search platform at projectindy.net