Connecting Indianapolis Talent to Opportunity
Talent lives in every Indianapolis neighborhood. Opportunity should too.
EmployIndy’s 2026–2029 strategic plan outlines how we will strengthen connections between residents, employers, and community partners to expand access to economic mobility across Marion County.
Shaped by Our Community. Focused on Our Future.
Indianapolis has the talent and potential to grow. Making the most of that potential requires stronger connections between the people seeking opportunities, the employers who need skilled workers, and the organizations supporting them.
Informed by input from more than 610 residents, employers, funders, and community partners, our new strategic plan establishes a shared direction for the next three years.
The plan strengthens EmployIndy’s role as a workforce connector, focuses our investments where they can make the greatest impact, and builds on the partnerships that help Indianapolis residents and businesses succeed.
The Numbers Behind Our Priorities
TRANSPORTATION ACCESS
Approximately 9% of Marion County households do not have access to a vehicle, while only 1.3% of workers use public transportation to commute.
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020–2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates, Tables DP03 and DP04
INCOME + THE COST OF LIVING
The estimated living wage for a Marion County household with two working adults and one child is $104,361, but Marion County’s median household income is $66,346.
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020–2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates, Table B19013; MIT Living Wage Calculator
GROWING INDUSTRIES + NEW OPPORTUNITIES
Marion County’s health care, social services, and professional and technical industries are each projected to grow by 12% through 2033. Construction is projected to grow by 8%.
SOURCE: 2024 Region 12 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Plan; Strada Education Foundation, 2025 State Opportunity Index
Our Four Strategic Initiatives
Our strategic plan is built around four goals that guide how EmployIndy will connect talent to opportunity, support employers, and strengthen Indianapolis’ workforce.
Click each goal to learn more.
EmployIndy will work with community partners to improve access to career services through digital tools, neighborhood-based resources, and coordinated career navigation. We will strengthen partnerships and focus investments on approaches that make it easier for residents to connect with the support they need.
EmployIndy will focus investments on career pathways that help residents build skills, increase earning potential, and advance in their careers. We will prioritize reaching people and neighborhoods where opportunities have historically been harder to access, while using data to understand what is working and where additional support is needed.
EmployIndy will bring employers, educators, and workforce partners together to better align training and career pathways with current and future talent needs. By strengthening employer partnerships and using workforce insights to guide decisions, we can help businesses develop their workforce while connecting more residents to in-demand careers.
EmployIndy will strengthen financial planning, accountability, and organizational operations to support long-term impact. By focusing our resources, diversifying funding, and improving how we evaluate investments, we can remain a trusted partner and steward of the resources that support our community.
Explore the Full Strategic Plan
Our 2026–2029 Strategic Plan outlines the goals, strategies, and organizational priorities guiding EmployIndy’s work over the next three years.
Explore the full plan to learn more about our direction and how we are working with partners to strengthen Indianapolis’ workforce.
Looking for a quick overview and summary of our plan?
View it here.
From Strategy to Action
Our strategic plan establishes a three-year approach to strengthening EmployIndy’s work and measuring our progress.
YEAR ONE
Clarify Our Role + Focus Our Investments
Strengthen our role as a workforce connector, align priorities, and focus resources on the work where we can make the greatest impact.
YEAR TWO
Align Investments + Activate the Strategy
Put our priorities into action by strengthening partnerships, coordinating resources, and advancing efforts that connect residents and employers to opportunity.
YEAR THREE
Demonstrate Impact + Sustain Growth
Evaluate progress, strengthen successful approaches, and build the financial and organizational foundation needed for lasting impact.