Indianapolis – March 11, 2025 – This morning, Mayor Joe Hogsett, EmployIndy, and Indy Parks kicked off the summer hiring season by announcing the 2025 edition of the Project Indy summer jobs initiative at Frederick Douglass Park. Project Indy is currently offering 257 available positions from over 160 local employers. Through its online platform at projectindy.net, it is now easier than ever for young people to get connected to employers who are hiring.
“The City of Indianapolis is thrilled to be kicking off yet another year of our youth employment initiative,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “Over the course of nearly a decade, Project Indy has helped our young people not only to stay busy while earning a fair wage, but also to develop the essential skills and experience that will lead them on to high-quality, long-term employment as adults.”
Project Indy was launched in 2016 by Mayor Hogsett alongside EmployIndy, the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee (GIPC), and the Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY). Since its launch, Project Indy has empowered over 19,200 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, 339 employers have posted open positions on the portal.
Youth ages 16-24 can get started using Project Indy’s virtual job board by simply texting “ProjectIndy” to 317-659-9657. This easy-to-use online platform utilizes text messaging to recruit and onboard job seekers. It also includes a location-based tool that works to connect youth to nearby opportunities as well as filtering job opportunities 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.
By hiring in-school and out-of-school youth throughout Marion County, local employers provide employability skill development and job-readiness training, playing an important role in training our future workforce. Employers, such as Project Indy partner Indy Parks, benefit by creating a talent pipeline for their business or industry.
“Indy Parks provides high quality job opportunities for our youth by allowing them to serve their community and build a strong foundation for their careers,” said Frederick Douglass Park Manager Derrick Miller. “Whether it’s as a lifeguard, camp counselor, or food program staff, our summer jobs are a great place for young people to work and learn.”
EmployIndy, which administers Project Indy, will continue promoting the virtual platform through face-to-face recruiting at Indianapolis-area high schools, targeted social media campaigns, and at local youth hiring fairs. In 2024, over 1,575 young people in Indianapolis were connected to job opportunities through Project Indy.
“Our team works directly with education and workforce partners to promote Project Indy as a valuable Career-Connected Learning initiative for both youth and employers” said EmployIndy President + CEO, Marie Mackintosh. “For employers, specifically, Project Indy is an opportunity to modernize their recruitment strategy and co-develop our city’s next generation of talent.”
In 2018, EmployIndy, in partnership with the City of Indianapolis and the Indy Chamber, launched Job Ready Indy, 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 important to the workplace.
Employers interested in hiring youth can sign up to be a Project Indy partner here. Youth interested in joining the Project Indy platform can get started by simply texting “ProjectIndy” to 317-659-9657 or visiting projectindy.net.
Anthony Parish, a graduate of YouthBuild Indy, honored with 2024 YouthBuild AmeriCorps Spirit of Service Award
INDIANAPOLIS, AUGUST 15, 2024 — Anthony Parish, a graduate of YouthBuild Indy, has been nationally recognized for his outstanding leadership through service. Parish, 23, was selected from thousands of members across the country to receive one of four awards given out by YouthBuild USA for their annual Spirit of Service Awards. The winners were announced at the State of YouthBuild USA AmeriCorps and Member Award Presentation on August 15. Parish was selected to receive the Member of the Year award for his commitment to personal growth and serving the Indianapolis community.
YouthBuild Indy, an EmployIndy led training program, offers young people the opportunity to obtain industry certifications, develop job readiness skills, receive adult basic education preparation, and hands-on paid work experiences. Parish came to YouthBuild Indy with the goal of completing his education and beginning a career in construction, determined to create a better future for himself and his family. That determination continued while overcoming personal challenges, and renewed itself afterward, speaking to his strength and commitment to personal growth. While in the program, Parish earned his high-school equivalency, National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certifications and Carpentry 1 certification, demonstrating his dedication, aptitude and desire to begin his career.
“Being an AmeriCorps member has helped shift my mindset,” Parish said. “Before I was just thinking about the day and how I would be able to take care of myself and my family at that time. Now, I am always thinking about what’s next for the future and not just day to day. I am setting goals for myself, learning how I can achieve them and taking the steps to get there.”
Staff members cite his leadership and supportive nature as valued contributions to the program. Being one of the first participants in the program to earn his NCCER certification, Parish would help his peers study and quiz them ahead of testing. Always willing to lend a hand, he even provided fellow students with rides as they made their way to the YouthBuild Indy facility or external construction site. When additional work was required for a home rehabilitation project during winter break, Parish decided to go to the worksite every day to help complete the project. This level of dedication allowed him to forge a deeper professional connection with the construction trainer and opened the door for his Carpentry 1 certification. With a strong work ethic and a desire to transform his life through service, Parish embodies the values of the YouthBuild AmeriCorps program.
“Anthony has demonstrated his dedication to the program, capability in jump-starting his career, and giving back to peers and future generations,” said Yolanda Mattox, Community Partnerships Manager at YouthBuild Indy. “Anthony’s success not only benefits him but also serves as an inspiration to others facing similar challenges. His journey showcases the transformative power of education, training and community support in overcoming obstacles and achieving one’s goals. We are so proud of him.”
YouthBuild USA has been an AmeriCorps grantee since AmeriCorps’ inception in 1994. Since then, YouthBuild USA has enrolled more than 51,000 AmeriCorps members who have generated millions of direct service hours, including developing or repairing thousands of units of affordable housing for low-income individuals and families. More than 13,000 YouthBuild AmeriCorps members have earned their high school equivalency and a total of $43 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards.
Approximately 2,148 YouthBuild AmeriCorps members in 59 programs across 26 states build affordable housing and provide community healthcare, conservation efforts, recycling and sustainability, computer infrastructure, and child development services for individuals and families. Over the next year, YouthBuild AmeriCorps members will provide more than 750,000 direct service hours and will build at least 240 units of affordable housing for low-income individuals and families.
YouthBuild USA is the nonprofit support center for a global network of more than 280 local YouthBuild programs in 15 countries, with 223 programs in 47 U.S. states and territories and 61 programs in 14 other countries. With love and respect, YouthBuild partners with opportunity youth to build the skillsets and mindsets that lead to lifelong learning, livelihood and leadership. Responding to the urgent need for knowledge, training and opportunity, YouthBuild primarily serves young people who lack a high school diploma and financial resources.
“While transforming their lives through service, YouthBuild AmeriCorps members become the leaders they were always meant to be — and that our world needs,” said John Valverde, president and CEO of YouthBuild USA. “We are so proud of Anthony, whose example reverberates across the county. YouthBuild is honored to partner with him in his journey.”
EmployIndy remains saddened by the passing of Dr. Mechelle Polter, Senior Director of its Talent Bound program—which she largely created—on Wednesday, March 22nd. To add to the shock of such an unexpected loss, Mechelle (she preferred for people to not call her Dr. Polter) had been in a Microsoft Teams meeting with many of her teammates that very day, before she experienced unexpected health complications in her home.
In the shock and grief of the next few days, and as stories got told about cats and birthday parties and wine tastings and Mechelle’s humor and love for plants and the fortitude it takes to complete a Ph.D. over six years while also mothering and working full-time, one thing was clear: there was no shortage of people who would line up to talk about their interactions with, and affection for, Mechelle.
“What can I not say about Mechelle?” Associate Director of Talent Bound, Matt Simpson, said. “She was my mentor, my friend, my go-to for everything work-based learning, for family and faith and life in general. She was knowledgeable about so many things and so humble. We had some similarities in life’s hardships, and I saw how she had overcome those challenges while never forgetting where she came from.”
As Talent Bound Manager Tressie Kaufman recalled evenings spent wandering through art galleries on “First Fridays” with Mechelle, she noted that even when Mechelle was away from work, she still loved to brainstorm about and set goals for Talent Bound. But that doesn’t mean Mechelle cared only about work, and she had a way of making the people around her feel seen. “She knew a lot of people,” Kaufman observed, “and I’ll never forget how valued she made me feel when she introduced me to some of those people.” Kaufman also added that one of Mechelle’s favorite questions was “How can I help?”
Mechelle loved her work but also loved to play, as seen here at the Talent Bound team’s 2022 holiday outing.
Coworkers outside of Mechelle’s Talent Bound team also noticed her efforts to make others feel welcome, through her seat on EmployIndy’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Affinity Group. In this role, Mechelle was faithful and wholehearted in her participation as the group planned events, created spaces, and set goals for how to make EmployIndy an organization where all people feel they belong.
And it wasn’t only Mechelle’s colleagues at EmployIndy who were affected by her mission-oriented approach to life and work. Mechelle has served since 2019—the same year EmployIndy hired her—on the Area 31 Career Center Executive Leadership Council. “She was committed to researching best practices and doing everything she could to advance opportunities for young people,” the center’s Director, Dr. Patrick Biggerstaff, said.
Sarah Koontz, from Horizon Education Alliance, interacted with Mechelle on the Indiana Community of Practice for Modern Youth Apprenticeships and agreed with Biggerstaff’s sentiment: “She was a quiet leader with a passion for helping students.” Noel Ginsburg from CareerWise USA added that “Her spirit will endure within this movement over the years and generations to come. We are endlessly grateful for her warmth, dedication, expertise, and countless other qualities she possessed and shared with all of us.”
Mechelle worked tirelessly to launch the Modern Apprenticeship program, alongside our team and partners at Ascend Indiana. “Mechelle was an incredible partner, thinker, leader, and friend to so many in the Indianapolis community. She believed deeply in opening doors to opportunity for young people and was a key thought leader and partner as we started the Modern Apprenticeship program,” said Stephanie Bothun, VP and co-founder of Ascend Indiana. “The Ascend Indiana team was constantly inspired by her work ethic and dedication to youth apprenticeship despite the many challenges that came our way. Our organization and our community are fundamentally better off because of everything Mechelle accomplished. We will miss her dearly.”
Fashion was among Mechelle’s many eclectic interests, so perhaps it’s not a surprise that she was aware of Pattern. The local magazine initially launched Stitchworks—a 501c3 in downtown Indianapolis that provides sewing training and certification to urban high school students—just before the pandemic shutdowns in March of 2020. The program had to pause almost immediately, but not for long, because Eskenazi Health needed 5,000 gowns, and quickly. One hundred fashion designers and hobbyists were hired for the task, and the partnership began to attract media attention.
This is where Mechelle got involved, in the fall of 2020. There was then, and still is now—like in many industries—a shortage of workers with the needed skillset. To hear Pattern Executive Director, Polina Osherov, tell it, Mechelle reached out through a website contact form. The two have met several times since then, including as recently as three weeks ago, to plan out and implement a Registered Apprenticeship program for sewers. “If it weren’t for Mechelle,” Polina said, “we would still be trying to figure this out three years later.” She described Mechelle’s loss as “a huge blow.”
Mechelle was amongst the inaugural members of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative to visit the White House last year.
The loss of Dr. Mechelle Polter is a huge blow, for her family and for EmployIndy, and for Indianapolis as a whole. May stories of her life continue to be told, even as they remind us of the gap the loss of Mechelle leaves behind.
A visitation will be held at Indiana Funeral Care on Allisonville Road on Friday, April 7, beginning at 4:00 p.m. with a funeral service to follow at 6:30.
Though eligibility criteria and application processes are still being formed, EmployIndy, alongside Mechelle’s family, will create the Dr. Mechelle Polter Memorial Scholarship fund. Interested parties can donate here. Her legacy to Indianapolis will be further recognized through the inaugural Youth Apprenticeship Employer award at this year’s Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity, renaming it the Dr. Mechelle Polter Youth Apprenticeship Employer of the Year award.
Jobs for America’s Graduates students prove employability skills to community leaders and employers at JAG Career Development Conference
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – February 17, 2023 – Yesterday, over 100 Indianapolis high school juniors and seniors met at Martin University for the regional Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) Career Development Conference. Each student utilized the employability skills they have learned in their JAG classrooms over the course of the past year, competing in challenges such as chapter marketing campaigns, launching entrepreneurship plans, providing creative solutions, demonstrating critical thinking and employability skills, and more.
JAG is preparing students for the workforce by introducing them to not only employability skills, but by introducing them to different industries, employers, and work experiences.
“We are so proud of all the hard work our students have put into preparing for this day,” said Erika Cheney, Vice President of K-12 at EmployIndy. “JAG teaches students important career readiness skills that will help them succeed in the future.”
The Regional JAG Career Development Conference is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their skills, with the top individual from each competition qualifying to attend the State JAG Career Development Conference taking place on March 17th at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center. In addition to recognizing these students’ successes, four individuals were nominated by their JAG Specialist as outstanding senior candidates, an award recognizing select high school seniors who have gone above and beyond in community involvement and are viewed as leaders among their peers.
“I will continue and further motivate others to join JAG and pursue their dreams and goals for their time in high school and moving forward,” said Michaela Ingram, outstanding senior from Decatur Central High School. Ingram was named Region 12’s JAG Outstanding Senior for 2023 and will compete for the top honor against the other eleven workforce development regions in the State.
This year’s keynote speaker, Marian University history professor and diversity and inclusion consultant, Evan Casey told students, “Don’t just accept what you have been told at face value. Dig, examine, investigate, challenge. That is what is at the heart of who we are historically as a nation and that is part of what JAG is trying to instill in you.”
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett inspired the young crowd with his remarks and took the time to greet students and congratulated every winner at this year’s award ceremony.
Special recognition to our Gold Level Sponsors, B&W Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Drains and PNC Bank. Thank you for your generous contribution and support of the Jobs for America’s Graduates program.
EmployIndy is opening a new YES Indy Re-Engagement Center (REC) at Watkins Park Community Center on the Westside of Indianapolis on January 30th. This REC location will replicate the YES Indy REC at the Finish Line Boys and Girls Club. Since its opening in 2018, the Far Eastside location has served over 2,000 Opportunity Youth and acted as an access point for re-engagement services. Over 30,000 Opportunity Youth in Central Indiana, young adults ages 16 to 24, are either disengaged from education, the workforce, or both.
The Watkins Park REC will offer free open gym basketball as a hook to engage Opportunity Youth while creating a safe space to socialize and participate in recreation. REC staff are able to create trusting and meaningful relationships with participants, and it is through these relationships that staff have the opportunity to direct participants to additional career services. With a YES Indy site neighboring the Watkins REC location, open gym participants will have convenient access to YES Indy services at Flanner House, a community-based service partner.
“In collaboration with the City Parks and Recreation Department, Training for Success, Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), and Flanner House, EmployIndy is thrilled to open the YES Indy REC at Watkins Park,” says Reverend Rodney T. Francis, Chief Programs Officer at EmployIndy. “This second REC location means that we are able to expand our education, workforce services, and job opportunities to more young people looking for a career path in the city’s Near Westside.”
YES Indy RECs bring together a network of community-based organizations as career service providers offering career navigation, including work experiences, access to training and education, and wrap-around services. After joining the REC, participants are encouraged to participate in the Power Huddle, an empowerment experience in which Opportunity Youth meet with an instructor to build confidence and employability skills. Participants engage with mentors and earn some of the Job Ready Indy badges, expanding their employability skills and self-awareness. The Power Huddle and Job Ready Indy training readies these young people to pursue career experiences or education and includes two years of follow-up services and check-ins with mentors.
Open Gyms hours of operation are every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM, during the summer hours will switch to the evening and will be posted at the gym. An open house for sponsors, staff, and participants is planned for Saturday, April 22nd.
Employers are finding innovative ways to build their employment pipelines, and one of those is by hiring youth apprentices. In Marion County, the Modern Apprenticeship (MAP) program– led by EmployIndy and Ascend Indiana– has set a goal of 60 employers hiring a total of 100 apprentices for 2023-24.
Modern Apprenticeship is a 3-year work-based learning program that begins during a student’s junior year in high school. The program offers students paid employment, which is critical to making the program a sustainable solution to address inequity in Marion County. Students also participate in on-the-job learning that contributes to actual job tasks and aligns with role competencies and related academics.
Businesses struggle to find the talent they need in today’s world of work, yet, at the same time, postsecondary graduation rates are declining, and young people are searching for quality jobs without the credentials or skills to be successful. Over ¾ of Indiana’s employers cannot find qualified candidates for their open positions.
“Modern Apprenticeship brings together employers, students, and educators to build a sustainable employment pipeline,” says Marie Mackintosh, President & CEO at EmployIndy. “These pipelines address employer talent challenges, create a path for student work experience, and provide industry input into education standards and curriculum.”
When students graduate from the Modern Apprenticeship program, they earn industry credentials as well as tangible skills that will stay with them throughout the duration of their careers.
“The healthcare industry is having a great challenge in not only finding highly qualified talent but retaining them, as well. All the Marion County healthcare systems are competing for the same, small supply of candidates,” says Michelle Mitchell, National Manager of Early Talent Development at Ascension. “Ascension has had to rethink how we have defined and pursued talent, and the Modern Apprenticeship program has helped us to create a custom talent pipeline where students are actually looking to create a career.”
The Modern Apprenticeship program also furthers crucial diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, as 90% of our current Youth Apprentice are people of color and/or female-identifying. This statistic alone defies the perceptions of traditional apprenticeships and speaks to the diverse talent available within our own community.
“Traditionally, the financial services industry is dominated by only a particular demographic,” says Eduardo Nieto, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director at OneAmerica. “Modern Apprenticeship has helped us expand and go beyond the traditional hires we normally have and diversify the talent in our workplace.”
Modern Apprenticeship works as a talent solution for businesses of all sizes as apprentices are able to develop on-the-job skills that are tailored to the company’s needs. Employers can develop their own, diverse talent and create opportunities for growth while engaging young people and improving retention through this new way of hiring.
“The Modern Apprenticeship program has found a lot of success in giving young leaders within an organization the opportunity to manage apprentices. It is a great way to grow the next generation of leaders within a company,” says Stephanie Bothun, Vice President & Co-founder of Ascend Indiana. “And there’s no better time than now to join Modern Apprenticeship.”
Additionally, Modern Apprenticeship registers apprenticeship experiences with the U.S Department of Labor via Register Apprenticeship programs (RAPs). Registered Apprenticeships enable more employers to participate in apprenticeships while, simultaneously, increasing their access to quality talent pools.
Interested in becoming a Modern Apprenticeship employer? Visit indymodernapprenticeship.com or email [email protected] to begin your organization’s journey with Youth Apprenticeship today!
Early last month, the White House welcomed 75 representatives from a cohort of over 200 industry, labor, and community-based organizations as well as educators, employers, and workforce intermediaries to the launch of the Biden-Harris administration’s Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative.
EmployIndy was among the participating organizations from across the nation invited to attend the launch event, exhibiting our commitment to strengthening and diversifying Registered Apprenticeship. Registered Apprenticeship is a high-quality, equitable earn-and-learn model that provides workers with on-the-job learning experience, job-related instruction with a mentor, and a clear pathway to a good-paying job. The programs include a nationally-recognized credential system that helps employers hire a more demographically diverse workforce across 40 in-demand industries.
Dr. Mechelle Polter, Senior Director, Talent Bound, attended the Apprenticeship Ambassador launch, which began with an address by First Lady Jill Biden, U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. The remarks were followed by a panel facilitated by Brent Parton, Assistant Secretary of Employment and Training Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor, and included various leaders such as Yellow Corp. CEO, Darren Hawkins, and Trident Technical College President, Dr. Mary Thornley.
“The Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative is an excellent opportunity for EmployIndy to continue to develop our apprenticeship offerings,” says Dr. Polter. “As an Apprenticeship Ambassador, we will be able to help even more residents and businesses through apprenticeship experiences that create sustainable career pathways and build diverse talent pipelines.”
The entire cohort of Apprenticeship Ambassadors will work to help other business, labor, and education leaders launch similar programs throughout the next year. Apprenticeship Ambassadors will also increase the accessibility of Registered Apprenticeship programs for underserved and underrepresented populations, including women, youth, people of color, people with disabilities, and more.
EmployIndy will use our expertise as an Apprenticeship Ambassador to scale innovative apprenticeship practices, such as those through the Modern Apprenticeship program. As employer demand for highly-skilled talent continues to grow, it is necessary to establish a system of career-connected learning that will create equitable opportunities for all Indianapolis students. EmployIndy’s Modern Apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship programs do just that.
“Not only do apprentices gain sustainable employment with a positive career trajectory, but employers attract, retain, and maintain skilled and diverse talent,” says Dr. Polter. “Our Marion County students benefit from quality, on-the-job learning while our business community thrives with young, skilled talent.”
EmployIndy is one of the entities throughout the state of Indiana that helps distribute funds for theNext Level Jobs (NLJ) Employer Training Grant program, and applications opened on September 1st.
The NLJ Employer Training Grant “reimburses employers who train, hire, and retain new or incumbent workers to fill in-demand positions.” Reimbursements can be as large as $5,000 per trained employee and a total of $50,000 per employer that participates.
A number of EmployIndy partners across different sectors have benefitted from this program in the past, and they aren’t shy about reporting positive results.
According toSumco Human Resources Manager, Darla Hineman, the grant helped the electroplating manufacturer add new positions, offer promotions, and raise opportunities for existing employees. “Retention has improved,” Hineman said, “because we have been able to focus on engaging the employee and providing a more thorough training process.”
ForSynchrony Pharmacy, an Employer Training Grant meant the opportunity to train ten employees on new software, which those employees now use on a daily basis.
Micala McClain of Ridgeline Electrical Industries says that the organization was able to “increase productivity from the get-go,” by “implementing an incredible boot camp” for new employees.
AtFranciscan Health, there were even life-and-death implications, as the hospital used money from the grant to create and run a patient care course. Director Michael Goins’ describes the course as one that, “prepares people for bedside care in the hospital.” This included student participants, who were able to begin employment at a higher rate of pay than they would have otherwise had access to.
Priority industries for this year’s grant money will include the health and life sciences, building and construction, IT and business services, transportation and logistics, advanced manufacturing, and agriculture. Each of those industries is further broken down intoeligible occupations. EmployIndy distributions will prioritize veteran-, minority-, and women-own businesses, as well as companies that have not received funding in the recent past.
Questions on eligibility or the application process can be directed to Tracy Murphy ([email protected]), EmployIndy’s Associate Director of Business Partnerships.
The hospitality industry continues to struggle from the hard-hitting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite businesses reopening, many in the service industries are facing widespread labor shortages that largely affect the ability of employers to return to business as normal. A recent report found that the leisure and service industry continues to lack almost 2.2 million jobs, nearly ⅓ of the total missing occupations in the United States.
Indianapolis’ hospitality industry is facing similar repercussions as businesses fight to recover from the pandemic. Many local hospitality employers began expressing their adverse experiences in navigating recovery to EmployIndy’s Business Partnerships team this past Winter.
The Business Partnerships team fosters collaborative connections with Marion County employers to better understand the barriers they are facing. Simultaneously, the team helps businesses establish organizational best practices to attract, train, and maintain qualified employees. EmployIndy’s business partners receive wrap-around support in establishing comprehensive career pathways that leverage diverse talent from the Indianapolis community, including young adults
“The Business Partnerships team is always looking for new opportunities to bring together our employer and school partners and create mutually beneficial connections that help establish talent pipelines between community businesses and local students,” says Tracy Murphy, EmployIndy’s Associate Director of Business Partnerships.
In order to better support businesses amid the recovery from COVID-19 and the ensuing labor shortage, collaboration between employers in the hospitality industry and those entering the workforce was necessitated. To further these efforts, the Business Partnerships team collaborated with Matt Simpson, the Associate Director of Talent Bound, EmployIndy’s work-based learning initiative that connects employers to educators and students through a variety of career exposure, engagement, and experiential activities.
On Thursday, September 2nd, Murphy and Simpson facilitated a roundtable discussion in coordination with Visit Indy and Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association (INRLA), The discussion included seven representatives from local hospitality businesses and a variety of EmployIndy’s K-12 and education partners, listed below.
During the hour-long, virtual roundtable, hospitality employers from across Marion County shared their experiences with economic recovery as well as their ideas on possible solutions to local labor shortages, including the establishment of talent pipelines in Indianapolis high schools.
“This discussion was a great opportunity for the hospitality industry to share its hiring needs and for our school partners to gain insight on the available career pathways in Marion County,” says Simpson.
The agenda contained topics such as wage compensation, work hours, available positions, and transportation barriers. Education providers then shared upcoming events as well as specific contact information with the hospitality employers to promote continuing communication. Both parties curated sustainable working relationships, helping students to find employment and hospitality employers to attract and maintain quality workers.
“As the high school representative for Talent Bound, our goal is to expose young people to as many different career pathways as possible throughout their K-12 experiences, helping ensure that they can make an informed career decision when the time comes,” says Simpson. “The roundtable event connected schools interested in establishing partnerships with local employers who are willing to share industry opportunities with students.”
This discussion resulted in numerous opportunities for hospitality representatives to participate in school events such as guest speaking, career days, and organizational tours. Student internship opportunities with local hospitality employers have been introduced as well, launching a solid foundation for the development of future talent pipelines in Marion County. EmployIndy will continue to facilitate the connection and communication between hospitality employers and local schools, offering guidance on how to best engage high schoolers and present career opportunities within the hospitality industry.
Are you an employer interested in connecting with EmployIndy’s Business Partnerships team? Email Tracy Murphy at [email protected] to get started!
7 September 2021 – The modern age has brought about major changes within the world of work. Emerging technologies and globalization are impacting the very nature of workforce dynamics while employers’ demand for highly-skilled, versatile talent continues to grow. A combination of technical and soft skills, as well as comprehensive, real-world experiences, are prerequisites for the majority of entry-level jobs. The opportunities to obtain these credentials, however, are not readily accessible, creating a widening gap in career-ready skills amongst the workforce.
In an effort to bridge the gap between the supply of talent and the demand for multi-skilled employees in the local community, EmployIndy and Ascend Indiana piloted a new apprenticeship model for Indianapolis high school students that prepare them for the future of high-demand industries.
Modern Apprenticeship (MAP) is a paid three-year work-based learning experience for Central Indiana high schoolers with local community employers. Beginning their junior year of high school, apprentices will split their time between the classroom and the workplace. By the end of the MAP experience, students not only graduate with a high school diploma and obtain invaluable social capital, but they will also earn industry-recognized credentials and transferable college credits.
“Modern Apprenticeship helps to diversify talent pipelines while increasing the economic mobility of local youth and providing the critical experience needed when taking the next steps towards a career,” says Betsy Revell, Vice President of Talent Solutions at EmployIndy.
The inaugural MAP cohort, consisting of 30 students and 16 employers, signed their certificate of acceptance in May of 2021, establishing a system of career-connected learning that will create equitable opportunities for high schoolers throughout Marion County. The youth apprentices completed two MAP boot camps this summer to prepare them for their upcoming apprenticeships this fall and begin connecting with their employers and peers.
In addition to piloting the Modern Apprenticeship program, EmployIndy and Ascend Indiana both hired apprentices from the inaugural cohort.
“Hiring internal apprentices was important to EmployIndy because we wanted to navigate the Modern Apprenticeship program alongside our business partners and have a legitimate experience as a MAP employer,” says Revell. “Hosting apprentices also aligns with our goals associated with creating long-term talent pipelines and EmployIndy’s strategic priority of building career pathways for young adults.”
Salematou Diaby, Kimorah Waites, and Melanie Garcia began their apprenticeships at EmployIndy on August 9th. All three apprentices have been placed in different departments within EmployIndy; Diaby with the Career Services team, working with WorkOne Indy; Waites with the Talent Solutions team, working with Talent Bound and MAP; and Garcia with the K-12 and Postsecondary team, working with K-12 programs (photos at end of post).
“It is exciting to have youth apprentices within these EmployIndy teams because, in many cases, high school students are our target audience,” says Revell. “Our apprentices offer an opportunity for EmployIndy to get real-world feedback in real-time, and we need that real-time insight to continue to expand our programs.”
Workforce development is facing a new set of stipulations in adequately preparing young people for the future working world. The demand for well-rounded, experienced employees requires targeted services that leverage existing talent pools from a young age. Competent workers are abundant, but the training needed to fortify their skills is not always accessible. Modern Apprenticeship creates accessible opportunities for young talent while enhancing the skills needed to succeed in today’s in-demand industries.
Local diversity advocates support, recognize and inspire employers to adopt diversity framework best practices to improve success within their community and workplace
INDIANAPOLIS – 19 August 2021 – Today marks the 20th Annual Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity. This year’s event took place virtually with over 200 attendees with a focus on how businesses can benefit by adopting a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion framework and best practices. EmployIndy, the City of Indianapolis, and the Office of Minority and Women Business Development are honored to have hosted an event celebrating high-achieving local employers with participation from many influential speakers and a special emphasis on the importance of supporting the employment of Indianapolis young people through Project Indy, Mayor Joe Hogsett’s youth jobs initiative.
Project Indy is a location-based job search platform for Indianapolis residents ages 16-24. With over 200 local employers registered, thousands of young people have been connected to employment opportunities. This platform not only connects youth to jobs, it provides an opportunity for employers to diversify their organization and encourage leadership amongst team members.
“It is critical we take time to celebrate our community’s commitment to diversity,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “Engaging young people is more important now than ever. Today, we commend the businesses and non-profits who are already leading the way toward a diverse and prosperous Indianapolis.”
With the financial support of many Indianapolis employers, the Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity hosted well-known local advocates. Attendees to the twentieth annual event learned and heard from the following community leaders:
DuJuan McCoy, Keynote speaker and owner, president, and CEO of Circle City Broadcasting;
Mayor Joe Hogsett, City of Indianapolis;
Angela Carr Klitzsch, president and CEO of EmployIndy;
Tehea Harding, chief finance and administration officer at EmployIndy;
Michael Huber, president and CEO of Indy Chamber;
Fanchon Stinger and Dan Spheler, news anchors at FOX59;
Kelli Jones, co-founder of Be Nimble Co. and Sixty8 Capital;
Pamela Ross, vice president of opportunity, equity and inclusion at Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF); and
Consuelo Poland Lockhart, founder of Latinas Welding Guild
Alan K. Bacon, GANGGANG
Malina Simone Jeffers, GANGGANG
“Today, and everyday, we are grateful to the employers who are actively making a difference for our young people through support of this event and are proud to celebrate employers in our community by shining a light on their efforts to increase diversity and inclusion,” said Angela Carr Klitzsch, EmployIndy. “Over the past six years, over 17,000 young adults have accessed jobs through Project Indy. These young people are the future of Indianapolis – the future of our workplaces and our neighborhoods. Creating equitable access to employment for youth provides employers with a pipeline for long-term talent needed in the workplace and individuals with the employability skills to be successful now and in the future.”
This event is a time to recognize employers who have made exceptional efforts to demonstrate inclusivity, diversity, and equity in their workplaces through their leadership, hiring practices, and focus on culture. This year’s award recipients are as follows:
“Sam H. Jones ‘Best of the Best’” was awarded to Citizens Energy Group for their “One Company, One Culture” action plan to strengthen workplace culture while maintaining a customer-centered workplace. Their Diversity and Inclusion team has also implemented several initiatives to support equity and belonging during the pandemic.
“Diversity in Leadership” was awarded to the Indianapolis Airport Authority for their targeted focus on building and sustaining a culture that fosters equitable inclusion and diversity in all aspects of business by optimizing organizational performance and employee respect and engagement.
“Diversity in Workforce” was awarded to Arcamed, LLC, for their work in partnering with a number of local organizations to increase diversity and improve hiring practices company-wide. They have also implemented interview strategies to reduce any potential biases when evaluating candidates.
“Excellence in Youth Employment” was awarded to OneAmerica for their support of young people in the development of their Pathways Program that introduces students from diverse neighborhoods to the business and finance industries while providing opportunities for mentorship and skills-building.
Due to the impact of COVID-19 in Marion County, many businesses have experienced temporary and permanent closures. Because of this, there is an even higher number of young residents who are facing unemployment.
To support and provide employment resources for these young people, all proceeds from the 20th Annual Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity go towards sustaining Mayor Hogsett’s Project Indy youth jobs program. This program introduces young people to what is often their first job, teaching them the importance of soft skills such as time management, teamwork, workplace etiquette, and more.
In order to donate and support the continuation of the Project Indy initiative, please go to employindy.org/donate. More information about Project Indy can be found at projectindy.net.
Having the opportunity to gain practical resume building skills and interviewing experience can help give young people the head start they need to be successful as they enter our ever-changing workforce landscape. One way which EmployIndy helps guide these efforts is through Talent Bound, our vehicle to provide students in Marion County with access to authentic work-based learning experiences.
On Wednesday, July 7th, EmployIndy had the opportunity to partner with and host TeenWorks, whose mission is to empower teens to achieve excellence in community, college & career. TeenWorks brought 11 students to EmployIndy’s downtown office where they participated in Talent Bound “Talent Prep” activities that included resume-building exercises, mock-interviews as well as learning more about Project Indy and the Modern Apprenticeship Program (MAP).
“We’re happy that TeenWorks invited us to be a part of this event and we enjoyed the opportunity to expose these students to Talent Bound opportunities, while also helping them prepare their resume and enhance their interview skills,” Said Matt Simpson, Talent Bound Manager, High Schools. During the event, each student participated in at least two mock interviews with EmployIndy staff as well as worked closely with EmployIndy staff to learn practical ways in which they can build a resume that stands out.
To learn more about how Talent Bound partners with local organizations to help prepare Marion County young people to enter the future workforce, visit: www.talentbound.org.
YouthBuild Indy, an 
Employers are finding innovative ways to build their employment pipelines, and one of those is by hiring youth apprentices. In Marion County, the Modern Apprenticeship (MAP) program– led by 
