This resource list is subject to regular updates and is not representative of every resource available locally and nationally. If you have a resource that you would like added to this list, please contact Lora Steele at [email protected].

General Resources

ASPEN INSTITUTE’S JOB QUALITY LIBRARY

This link will take you to the main page for the Job Quality Library where many of the below resources came from. While not all information provided from the Library is included in this document, the Library can be used to identify a variety of existing programs and resources to help guide employers to better, proven workforce strategies.

ASPEN INSTITUTE AND UPSKILL AMERICA’S COST OF TURNOVER TOOL

This tool walks you through the steps to calculate cost of turnover. Using a tool such as this helps employers understand their capability of investing in strategies that could/should directly impact turnover as a way to justify the investment.

NATIONAL FUND FOR WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS: TOOLKIT FOR DEVELOPING HIGH-PERFORMING INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS

This toolkit guides workforce practitioners through characteristics that are necessary to develop, grow, and improve industry partnerships. It includes a mix of reports and resources that industry partnerships can use to guide the implementation of different practices based on your industry partnership’s goals and stages of development. It is appropriate for industry partnerships at any stage, from brand new to fully mature.

GENERATION WORK- CUYAHOGA COUNTY EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT QUESTION BANK

This agnostic question bank that can be used to build the “consulting worksheet”.

GOOD JOBS STRATEGY DIAGNOSTIC TOOL

An industry agnostic, 86 question assessment that helps organizations identify areas of the Good Jobs Strategy to work on. This is a tool we could use internally to develop our “consulting worksheet” to guide the discovery process.

WORKING METRICS

A tool for companies to measure, benchmark, analyze and score their job quality performance in comparison to their industry and regional peers, enabling them to improve company performance, drive more business, and attract talent. Public and private procurement organizations, investors and lenders can assess the job quality of prospective and current business partners to predict vendor reliability, investment growth and credit worthiness.  Working Metrics is working with many businesses, government agencies and non-profits, including The Aspen Institute, which has partnered with Working Metrics to power its Good Companies/Good Jobs Initiative.

Company Culture and Diversity
LOCAL RESOURCES

THE BUSINESS EQUITY FOR INDY COMMITTEE 

BEI is a joint effort of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, the Indy Chamber, in collaboration with the Indianapolis Urban League to grow a more inclusive business climate and build greater equity and economic opportunity for the Indy Region’s Black residents and people of color. This effort will launch a set of taskforces to develop new efforts, organize ongoing work, and scale proven solutions for maximum impact.

DIVERSITY ROUNDTABLE OF CENTRAL INDIANA

The Diversity Roundtable of Central Indiana was formed out of a desire, commitment, and need to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion as an integral part of our organization. The DRTCI welcomes individuals from any organization interested in implementing a diversity strategies or maintaining a current initiative, and anyone interested in learning more about diversity, equity and inclusion topics throughout Central Indiana.

IMMIGRANT WELCOME CENTER

At Immigrant Welcome Center, their mission is to be a trusted partner and advocate for all immigrants. They support this through their programming and work with community partners and local leaders.

INDIANA UNDOCUMENTED YOUTH ALLIANCE

The Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance is dedicated to empowering and supporting undocumented youth to achieve a full membership in this society. In order to become such organization, they work to gather economic resources, develop partnerships and identify valuable information to share with undocumented individuals and their families. Along with serving our community, IUYA also works to influence the design of public policy at the local, state and federal levels to radically improve the status of undocumented individuals across the United States and in the State of Indiana.

INDIANAPOLIS URBAN LEAGUE’S “THE EXCHANGE”

The Exchange promotes their members, advocates for greater Indy, develops their people and serves the community. Their Mission is to Mobilize the next generation, ages 21-40, to support the Indianapolis Urban League in efforts to assist African Americans, other minorities and disadvantaged individuals to achieve social and economic equality.

KHEPRW INSTITUTE (KI)

In the area of Community Empowerment, the Kheprw Institute has gone from monthly forums featuring African-American male youth to: a variety of forums/discussion groups that now have panels made up of youth, academics and/or leaders from around the country. Discussing critical issues that affect our community, they encourage open, honest dialogue that increases awareness, helps establish relationships, and builds community engagement. KI works with national and local neighborhood/ community organizations and individuals to address the needs to have voice in setting directions and goals for their quality of life and implement grassroots solutions to community challenges.

 

NATIONAL RESOURCES

ANNIE E CASEY FOUNDATION’S EMPLOYER PRACTICE FRAMEWORK

This framework outlines a range of strategies that employers can use to promote racial equity and inclusion in their job search, hiring, retention, compensation, learning, and advancement practices. It is drawn from a wide-ranging literature review, as well as feedback from a targeted group of experts in human resources and employment practices.

ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION “JOBS AND RACE, ADDRESSING RACE AND CULTURAL COMPETENCE IN THE JOBS INITIATIVE”

This report complements two prior reports about the initiative’s work on jobs, race and cultural competence by examining how the Foundation and sites handled race and cultural competence throughout the initiative, including Casey’s efforts to advance new practices, learning activities and work at the site level. This information may be instructive for those interested in advancing racial equity within a complex initiative or as part of a broader set of objectives. This report also dives deeper into the strategies, tactics and projects developed by the Jobs Initiative sites to improve outcomes for job seekers of color and employers. Finally, it explores how race and cultural competence informed policy and system reform efforts under the initiative, as well as challenges the sites and the Foundation faced in undertaking this important work.

B IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The most credible tool a company can use to measure its impact on its workers, community, environment, and customers.

BROOKINGS | LISC- COMMUNITY- ROOTED ECONOMIC INCLUSION; STRATEGIC ACTION PLAYBOOK

This playbook provides local leaders with an actionable set of tools to create more just landscapes of neighborhood opportunity through community-centered economic inclusion.

FSG: TALENT REWIRE INITIATIVE

This assessment is a tool to help employers- primarily >150- benchmark their talent management strategies against those other employers are undertaking to determine where to focus practice change efforts. The topics in this survey cover recruiting, hiring, retention, advancement, and more.

FSG THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF RACIAL EQUITY

This is a report that can help, not only make the business case for racial equity practices, but also provide examples of those practices via businesses such as Gap, PayPal and several financial institutions, and more.

GOVERNMENT ALLIANCE ON RACE AND EQUITY (GARE) RACIAL EQUITY TOOLKIT

While this study focuses mostly on how government agencies can “operationalize equity”, the tools enclosed can be used by any entity. Additionally, they discuss in this document how government adopting these processes can help in “setting the stage for the achievement of racial equity in our communities.

JFF HORIZONS- BECOME AN IMPACT EMPLOYER

Various strategies, proof of concept and business case for support for subject matter that improves a company’s culture and employee supports. This tool really includes information for all pillars (focuses on offboarding, corporate culture, workforce planning, talent acquisition, talent development, and total rewards).

RACE FORWARD- READY FOR EQUITY IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

This is an assessment tool that can help us in developing our “consulting worksheet” and could also help us in figuring out what other resources/ technical assistance partners we might need to search out.

Employee Supports
LOCAL RESOURCES

CHILDCARE ANSWERS

A focus on creating quality care and education for all Central Indiana children. Families turn to Childcare Answers to find trusted child care and quality parenting information. They also equip child care providers with resources and tools to start their own businesses and expand their existing programs.

CIRTA

The Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA) is a regional governmental organization (IC 36-9-3) focused on improving transportation options for Central Indiana.

ENTERPRISE VANPOOLING AND COMMUTER SERVICES

Commute with Enterprise is teaming up with local businesses in Indianapolis to help people ride together. By sharing a commute, you’re contributing to a healthier community for everyone.

INDY HUNGER NETWORK

Started in 2009 as the recession hit, Indy Hunger Network is a collaborative organization made up of representatives of leading anti-hunger organizations and corporations in the Greater Indianapolis area. By working together, we make the systems that feed the hungry more efficient and effective.

LUNA LANGUAGE SERVICES

Luna provides people-powered translation and interpreting services from real people with real world, nuanced expertise to ensure effective and accurate communications across all industries. They support culturally rich organizations and communities because they believe diversity is the key to progress.

Marion County Re-Entry Coalition (MCRC)

At the Marion County Re-entry Coalition, they have one goal: that all adults in Marion County involved in the justice system are successfully integrated into the community.

YES INDY

Acting as a guide and intermediary, EmployIndy utilizes its network of local community organizations as the purveyors of YES Indy services. We further support these partners by providing technical assistance, evidence-based best practices, and professional development opportunities through our workforce Ecosystem Enrichment programming.

UWCI 2-1-1

In times of crisis, Indiana 2-1-1 is committed to being your most essential resource. Trained counselors are ready to take your confidential call right now — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

NATIONAL RESOURCES

BEST WORKPLACES FOR COMMUTERS

Commuter Benefit Briefs provide a comprehensive summary of each commuter benefit. The briefs are written in an easy to follow question-and-answer format and cover a range of issues, such as implementation, costs, and available resources.

EMPLOYER RESOURCE NETWORK (ERN) USA

This is a national network that assists communities in building a local Employer Resource Network. This is a one-stop formula that allows employers to work with one individual who can assist employees with personal/social needs that might be barriers to participating successfully in the workforce. 

NATIONAL FUND FOR WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS- GUIDE TO EMPLOYEE FINANCIAL WELLNESS

A tool for employers to not only assess and understand the financial implications of their employees, but to also find strategies and programs that can help empower employees to be more financially stable.

WOMEN’S FUND OF THE GREATER CINCINNATI FDN

This toolkit is a collection of nearly 60 workplace policies that can help support, stabilize and retain employees in low-wage work. The toolkit also contains a section on second-chance employment. After a quick, free registration, the Employer Toolkit search feature can help identify specific policy recommendations, many of which include sample HR policy language that companies can draw from. Searching for “Transportation” leads to policies that employers can implement to reduce the time and financial burden that commuting imposes on many workers.

Career Pathways for Employees LOCAL RESOURCES

INDIANA CAREER CONNECT

The State’s website to help connect people to jobs and career resources. It can also be used by employers to identify potential employees and workforce resources.

INDY ACHIEVES

Indy Achieves was created to help Indy residents pursue and complete a postsecondary education. Whether you are pursuing a traditional bachelor’s degree or an industry certification, Indy Achieves can help you: navigate the process and provide personal support, pay the cost (tuition, books, and supplies) at Ivy Tech or IUPUI, and Connect you to work opportunities.

IN-FAME

INFAME is proud to offer the Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) Program. The AMT program is a standardized and structured approach to preparing a student for a career. This five-semester technical program integrates both on-the-job training and classroom education, offering the student the opportunity to earn wages and college credit while concurrently earning their diploma.

IVY TECH’S “ACHIEVE YOUR DEGREE”

A partnership between Ivy Tech and local employers that remove the need for tuition reimbursement, allowing employees to gain the education up front with no barriers.

JOB READY INDY

Job Ready Indy is an online badging, allowing participants a unique URL to share on their resume for employers to see that they are, indeed job ready. There are six competencies that are focused on with Job Ready badging (mindsets, self-management, learning strategies, social skills, workplace skills, and launch a career). EmployIndy can provide the training or train-the-trainer for employers to utilize the coaching internally.

MODERN APPRENTICESHIP

Modern Apprenticeship (MAP) is a two- to three-year program designed to prepare Central Indiana high school students for the workforce with paid, hands-on experience that complements their traditional coursework.

NEXT LEVEL JOBS

A resource for funding that can be accessed by both job seekers and employers. The training that can be covered with this funding is provided by local entities that understand the labor market demands and react to those employer lead needs.

PROJECT INDY

Project Indy is comprised of a network of community organizations, employers, and corporate partners who are providing job opportunities, soft-skill development and job-readiness training to in-school and out-of-school youth in Marion County. 

PURDUE MEP

Provides manufacturing companies with short-term, onsite training that meets their incumbent and future workforce training needs.

RAPID RE-EMPLOYMENT RESPONSE

Rapid Re-employment Response is a free and easy-to-use job-search platform for all Indianapolis residents, but it’s also much more. After you create a login and answer a few questions, you will meet with a skilled recruiter who will get to know you and begin connecting you with potential jobs or training opportunities.

TALENT BOUND

Talent Bound is EmployIndy’s vehicle to provide the students in Marion County access to authentic work-based learning experiences, leveraging EmployIndy’s network of engaged businesses to provide engaging activities that increase informed decision making and develop critical skills needed to succeed in the future of work.

Work One Career Services

One-stop services for job seekers and employers looking for assistance to accessing local labor pools. Resources and activities are regularly provided and updated for local workforce demands.  

NATIONAL RESOURCES

ASPEN INSTITUTE- UPSKILLING PLAYBOOK FOR EMPLOYERS

This playbook from UpSkill America, an initiative of the Economic Opportunities Program, is designed to highlight examples of employers investing in upskilling strategies to support worker advancement and business competitiveness. This playbook has relevance for employers interested in adopting training and education strategies or for practitioners advising businesses to invest in their workers.

BUSINESS ROUND TABLE- A CASE FOR AN “ECONOMY THAT SERVES ALL AMERICANS”  

This statement from the Business Roundtable, an association of CEOs from America’s largest corporations, outlines why the private sector should commit to strengthening jobs. It can be useful for practitioners across fields to understand language and messaging that may resonate with many businesses.

SKILLFUL

A focus on skills based learning, Skillful – an initiative of the Markle Foundation – works with employers, educators, policymakers and others to help the nearly 70% of Americans without college degrees get good jobs based on the skills they have or the skills they can learn – creating new opportunities for success in the digital era.

UPSKILL AMERICA AND INSTITUTE FOR CORPORATE PRODUCTIVITY – KEY ELEMENTS OF SUCCESSFUL TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS: A NEW MODEL FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

This publication details seven key components of a modernized tuition assistance program, including flexibility, inclusiveness, affordability, and support. This information can be useful to employers seeking to develop or enhance a tuition assistance program and to practitioners who work with businesses to improve worker mobility.

WORKFORGE (180SKILLS- SKILLS TRAINING SOLUTIONS)

WorkForge leverages strategic content packages, an intuitive cloud-based delivery platform, and scalable pricing to save our client partners tens of thousands of dollars annually while providing the industry’s top training and development to their employees.