History and the Recession

EmployIndy was formed in 1983 as a result of the federal Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), and was charged with directly delivering workforce services to Marion County residents. After five years of delivering a wide range of services to job seekers, EmployIndy’s leaders created the Indianapolis Network for Employment and Training as an umbrella marketing entity to signal the integration of workforce development services.

In 1995, EmployIndy changed the company’s focus from workforce services to community-based organizations. These organizations were tasked with administering different employment services through connecting with specific neighborhoods, thus altering EmployIndy’s position in Marion County to focus on strategically altering workforce issues.

As the economy shifted during the Great Recession in 2009, so did the mission of EmployIndy. A new Business Partnerships team was developed to implement sector-specific strategies tailored to unique demands of a diverse group of individuals – from those who were struggling to find work because of their lack of skill to those who had further education and years of workforce experience. This was the first step in reformatting the workforce of Indianapolis through creating a demand-driven approach and increasing a focus on individuals within the community.

In June 2016, Mayor Hogsett announced a vision focusing on quality of life and meeting people where they are in several targeted areas of Indianapolis. These areas were chosen based on where there were the highest amounts of crime, unemployment, and poverty levels.

EmployIndy Core Values

We are Accountable

• We are responsible to the organization, our colleagues, our partners, and our community to make decisions that advance our vision.
• We take ownership to prioritize the work and reliable processes that deliver the greatest impact, address problems as they arise, and ask for help when needed.
• We strive to be prompt, decisive, and transparent to help foster trust and understanding while embracing change as a path towards efficiency and innovation.

we are Committed

• We understand how important our role is to achieving our mission and believe our work makes an impact on the organization and community.
• We commit to regularly reviewing our work as part of the collective team, determining areas of improvement and celebrating successes.
• We take ownership of our responsibilities and will display flexibility as needed to achieve the ultimate goals of the organization.

We are trustworthy

• We build relationships based on honesty and transparency while approaching our work with integrity.
• We create a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment where team members can share feedback which promotes a culture of improvement.
• We support our partners and colleagues using consistent actions, behaviors and attitudes which foster strong relationships and client success.

EmployIndy grants equal opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, disability, age, national origin, military service obligations, veteran status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law. EmployIndy provides equal opportunity in wages, promotions, benefits, and all other privileges, terms, and conditions of employment.