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EmployIndy is one of the entities throughout the state of Indiana that helps distribute funds for the Next Level Jobs (NLJ) Employer Training Grant program, and applications opened on September 1st. 

The NLJ Employer Training Grant “reimburses employers who train, hire, and retain new or incumbent workers to fill in-demand positions.” Reimbursements can be as large as $5,000 per trained employee and a total of $50,000 per employer that participates.

A number of EmployIndy partners across different sectors have benefitted from this program in the past, and they aren’t shy about reporting positive results.

According to Sumco Human Resources Manager, Darla Hineman, the grant helped the electroplating manufacturer add new positions, offer promotions, and raise opportunities for existing employees. “Retention has improved,” Hineman said, “because we have been able to focus on engaging the employee and providing a more thorough training process.” 

For Synchrony Pharmacy, an Employer Training Grant meant the opportunity to train ten employees on new software, which those employees now use on a daily basis.

Micala McClain of Ridgeline Electrical Industries says that the organization was able to “increase productivity from the get-go,” by “implementing an incredible boot camp” for new employees.

At Franciscan Health, there were even life-and-death implications, as the hospital used money from the grant to create and run a patient care course. Director Michael Goins’ describes the course as one that, “prepares people for bedside care in the hospital.” This included student participants, who were able to begin employment at a higher rate of pay than they would have otherwise had access to.

Priority industries for this year’s grant money will include the health and life sciences, building and construction, IT and business services, transportation and logistics, advanced manufacturing, and agriculture. Each of those industries is further broken down into eligible occupations. EmployIndy distributions will prioritize veteran-, minority-, and women-own businesses, as well as companies that have not received funding in the recent past.

Questions on eligibility or the application process can be directed to Tracy Murphy ([email protected]), EmployIndy’s Associate Director of Business Partnerships.

On Wednesday, July 13, over 400 students from Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) gathered at Arsenal Technical High School to participate in the inaugural LET’S BUILD! event. Formed in partnership between EmployIndy’s Talent Bound, Built to Succeed (Indiana Careers in Construction), and IPS, LET’S BUILD! is a one-day construction camp that brought together all 14 union building trades in Marion County to offer hands-on activities and further career exposure opportunities for rising 9th graders, students who are soon entering high school. 

“This event was really special as it was the culmination of the Talent Bound’s work over this last year in the K-8 space with IPS where our focus was exposing students to the building and construction trades,” said Mechelle Polter, Senior Director of Talent Bound. “Today, students got to take the next step and apply what they’ve learned through hands-on activities.” As students engaged with various building trades employers and unions, they had the opportunity to interact with industry models as well as real-world scenarios such as masonry work, climbing a steel beam while harnessed, and more. 

Talent Bound is EmployIndy’s vehicle to provide students in Marion County with access to authentic work-based learning experiences, leveraging EmployIndy’s network of engaged businesses to provide activities that increase informed decision making and develop the critical skills needed to succeed in the future of work. During the 2021-22 academic year, over 21,800 work-based learning experiences were provided to Marion County students through Talent Bound. 

Work-based learning occurs as a continuum of growth for students and Talent Bound offers activities along three phases of that continuum to build their knowledge: career exposure, career engagement, and career experience. Considered a Talent Challenge, the LET’S BUILD! event took the previous career exposure work to the next level through providing the hands-on experiences.

“The Let’s Build trades fair was an excellent opportunity for our incoming freshmen to gain hands-on experience and inspiration,” said Mel Coryell, Director of Academies and Pathways at IPS. “Our vision is for all IPS graduates to have a plan for and be prepared for a fulfilling future, and engaging with community partners and employers in this way is an essential step towards that vision.” Participating IPS schools included: Arsenal Technical High School, Crispus Attucks High School, George Washington High School, and Shortridge High School.

While students were getting their hands dirty and learning about available careers in the construction industry, local employers were working to build new talent pipelines by putting their industry in front of young adults who are eager to find their path.

“The LET’S BUILD! Construction Camp was a huge success and is an example of the growing relationship between the ICCA and EmployIndy’s Talent Bound program,” said Lynn Busby, Director of Community Outreach at Indiana Careers in Construction. “These events are important in supporting the union construction industry as employers get a chance to create industry exposure and develop new avenues for finding talent.” 

The following organizations participated in the event by providing hands-on experiences for the students:

This event was also made possible through in-kind contributions from the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Indians, Kroger, Newfields, Northern Tool and Equipment, Papa John’s Pizza, and Tinker Coffee Co.

To learn more about available Talent Bound activities that help employers engage with students, visit https://www.talentbound.org.

 

“MAP is like a Willy Wonka golden ticket that employers just have to cash in,” says Chad Smith, Chief Personnel Officer at Plastic Recycling, Inc. “The high quality and character of the applicants we have seen just blew my mind. The focus and maturity of the students we interviewed have been really impressive.” 

Modern Apprenticeship combines on-the-job learning with paid employment, college credit, and the prospect of earning industry credentials. Not only does the program give students a unique ability to multiply their options after high school, but it also allows employers to tap into diverse pools of young talent and invest in building quality talent pipelines. 

In the fall of 2020, EmployIndy partnered with Ascend Indiana to launch Modern Apprenticeship, also known as MAP, a three-year program that offers many pathways to success by ensuring Marion County high school students have the requisite skills they need to thrive in the growing 21st-century industries like financial services, business operations, healthcare, and information technology. Over 30 employers from Marion County participate in the Modern Apprenticeship program, including Plastic Recycling, which has offered four Youth Apprentices for Cohort II.

Plastic Recycling, Inc. was established in 1988 as the need for quality and economic methods of plastic recycling continued to grow. The company sought to not only benefit the environment but invest in premier customer services as well. Today, Plastic Recycling, Inc. retains the same principles of focusing and committing to excellence as the founders used when launching the company almost four decades ago. 

Chad Smith, Chief Personnel Officer at Plastic Recycling, has participated in Modern Apprenticeship since its launch. Smith indicated that the program provided Plastic Recycling with the opportunity to expand its external partnerships while investing in local youth. The company was thrilled to connect with Marion County schools as a source of qualified talent. 

“We have extended 2 offers for Maintenance Tech through the Modern Apprenticeship program which is a position in high demand yet low supply of qualified workers,” says Smith.  “We have had difficulty finding individuals with experience or expertise in the area. I see MAP as a way to grow our own and meet our talent needs.”

Plastic Recycling currently processes 100 million pounds a year of recycled materials a year and is looking to grow to 400 million pounds of recycled materials to keep out of landfills. But, the organization needs to develop team members to scale its capacity to that extent. Along with the Maintenance Tech positions, Plastic Recycling is also hiring Youth Apprentices for an HR Associate and Manufacturing Tech. 

Is your organization looking to invest in its short- and long–term talent strategies? Connect with the Business Partnerships team at EmployIndy to find out how you can get involved with programs like Modern Apprenticeship.

 

On Tuesday, June 14th, over 60 students, family, and friends gathered at the Indianapolis Zoo for the 2022 Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) Senior Send-Off, which honors Marion County JAG students for completing programming during the 2021-22 school year. JAG is a state-affiliated program based on a national model, available to juniors and seniors in high school that teaches them resume building, career exploration, and creates available tools for students to explore different curricula. JAG’s mission is to keep young people in school through graduation and provide work-based learning experiences that will lead to career advancement opportunities, or to enroll in a postsecondary institution that leads to a rewarding career.

“We are thrilled to honor the graduating JAG class of 2022,” said Beth Bowling, Director of K-12 at EmployIndy. “These students have persisted in overcoming more challenges than generations of students before them. We can’t wait to see the exciting achievements we know this class will complete by reaching the academic and career goals they established through JAG.”

The Senior Send-Off also provided Marion County JAG students with the opportunity to participate in prize raffles and further connect with their assigned JAG specialist. All enrolled JAG students are provided a specialist to help them work towards removing educational barriers that may prevent them from graduating or pursuing a particular post-secondary or employment pathway after high school. 

​​“One of the great parts of JAG is the follow-up support,” said Crispus Attucks JAG senior James Vann-Mincy, who also emceed the event. For a full year after graduation, JAG students receive support and contact from their specialists and the JAG team, to offer assistance as they transition into the workforce and/or elect to further their education.

During the event, two JAG seniors were honored with the Jessica Brown Memorial JAG Award. DaShaun Russell from True North Academy and Nevaeh Smith from Shortridge High School received this distinction, which recognizes excellence throughout the program year and offers a $1,000 award from EmployIndy to help them continue in their academic and career goals.

Thank you to our wonderful JAG sponsors, Duke Realty, The Indiana National Guard, and Regions Bank, as well as our partnering organizations EmployIndy, The Indiana Department of Workforce Development, and Transition Resources Corporation, for helping make this event possible.

You can learn more about Jobs for America’s Graduates in Marion County by visiting: https://employindy.org/youth-services/jag.

 

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. 

To learn more about the Good Wages Initiative, visit www.employindy.org/goodwages.

 

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.

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:

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, visit employindy.org/business-partnerships.

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.

 

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!