Indiana’s new high school graduation requirements are ushering in a new era of career readiness, and the hospitality industry is stepping up to lead the way.
Under the state’s mandate requiring 75 hours of work-based learning for students pursuing the Honors Enrollment Seal Plus diploma, industry leaders, led by the Indiana Tourism Association, have come together to create a structured, meaningful experience designed to prepare students for real-world success.
The collaborative effort—made up of tourism and hospitality organizations across the state—aims to introduce high school students to the dynamic hospitality industry through hands-on learning. The group’s draft framework outlines a flexible, community-driven and career-focused program that exposes students to multiple facets of the industry.
What’s in the plan?
The proposed program emphasizes several key components:
- Rotational experiences: Students will complete no fewer than 20 hours in key sectors such as hotels, restaurants, attractions, destination marketing and event management.
- Industry orientation: A kickoff session will introduce students to tourism’s statewide structure, customer service fundamentals and career pathways.
- Real-world skills: From shadowing hotel front desk staff to assisting with event setups, students will experience workplace culture and responsibilities firsthand.
- Capstone reflection: An optional final project will encourage students to synthesize their learning and showcase their growth.
Why it matters
Work-based learning is more than a requirement—it serves as a bridge between education and employment. By engaging students early, industries such as hospitality can:
- Build a pipeline of skilled, motivated talent.
- Strengthen community connections by demonstrating how tourism supports local economies.
- Help students make informed decisions about future education and career paths.
What’s next
The group is actively refining evaluation rubrics and developing implementation toolkits, including application templates, partner expectations and hour-tracking logs. Community rollout will involve identifying lead coordinators, partnering with local schools and creating onboarding resources for participating organizations.
This initiative goes beyond compliance to emphasize collaboration. By working together, industry partners are helping ensure Indiana students graduate not only with diplomas but with meaningful, career-relevant experiences.
Organizations interested in shaping Indiana’s future workforce are encouraged to get involved. To learn more, contact Sam Foist, Manager, Business Partnerships, at [email protected].