Published in partnership with the Indianapolis Department of Public Works

Leadership from the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (Indy DPW) will attend a resource fair Thursday in hopes of engaging up to 15 new employees for a newly created second shift within DPW's Operations division. Presented by the Far Eastside Collective Impact Council and hosted by Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFE) at 4 p.m. Thursday, the “CDL Night” event will not only provide attendees with information on license renewal and resources for a career in logistics, but will also connect attendees to employers providing training to new hires unable to attend a truck-driving school.

Indy DPW specifically will speak to interested applicants about second-shift positions in heavy equipment operation and street maintenance.

“We're looking forward to the opportunity to meet skilled individuals seeking jobs that make a difference for our city,” said Dan Parker, Director of Indy DPW. “By adding this second shift, DPW can address potholes and other street maintenance requests later into the evening each work day, and even after dark with some special training, the right equipment, and high-visibility gear.”

Approved in Mayor Joe Hogsett's 2020 budget, this will be the first formal “after hours” shift of its kind in Indy's history, extending the ability of DPW crews to remain engaged on street maintenance issues. Hiring is ongoing for three management and 12 labor positions, each with wages greater than $18 per hour. Interested applicants can view the job listings on the City's website here.

“To decrease the number of residents living in poverty, Indianapolis needs to create 120,000 good and promising jobs paying over $18.00 per hour to address the skills mismatch that contributes to underemployment and limited job opportunities,” said Marie Mackintosh, COO of EmployIndy. “Indy DPW's job creation is a strong step toward bridging this skills gap and creating opportunity for economic mobility.”

Fourteen new pieces of equipment have been received or are on order for DPW's new second shift , following a pattern of recent targeted investment both in street maintenance equipment and personnel. In 2019, DPW created a dedicated Street Maintenance Team to address deteriorated roadways with the longer-lasting strip-patching technique; this team completed 64 intensive strip-patching projects with hot-mix asphalt at locations across the county in 2019.

“We launched this event with the hope that Indianapolis residents will connect with employers to receive the skills and training needed to be successful in the logistics industry,” said Natosha John, Career Pathways Coach and member of the Employer Engagement Task Force, extension of the Far Eastside Collective Impact Council committee. “We are looking to build a bridge between the job seeker who needs additional training or certification, and an employer who is eager to skill up their workforce and fill those gaps.”

CDL NIGHT EVENT DETAILS:
Click for invitation

• Date: Thursday, February 6, 2020
• Location: CAFE (Community Alliance of the Far Eastside): 8902 E 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46226
• Time: 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• What to bring: Resume/work history; driver's license or personal ID
• Attire: Business Casual
• Available Resources: CDL requirements checklist; BMV information; DOT physical examination & certified medical examiner information; Interview preparation; and resume assistance
• RSVP: bit.ly/CDLnight2620