Top Moments of 2023-2024

Our 2023 program year was a monumental year for our local workforce in Indianapolis. To proactively address the needs of businesses, job seekers, and communities EmployIndy connects and supports partners to implement equitable, high-quality workforce development initiatives. Going forward, we’ll continue to support the workforce ecosystem and our community to put people on the path to economic mobility. Here is a recap of some of our top moments from the past program year, presented in no particular order.

1. Modern Apprenticeship Program honored the first completing cohort and a MAP apprentice at Plastic Recycling was awarded the high school Work-Based Learner of the Year.

2. EmployIndy supported MSD Warren Township’s college and career readiness framework and K12 with proven career-connected learning and advising through the expanding JAG Indy program, Talent Bound, and Project Indy.

3. EmployIndy received the IU Indianapolis Spirit of Philanthropy Award for its Indy Achieves and New Skills ready network partnerships, which recognizes the dedication of organizations to support the IU Indianapolis campus.

4. YES Indy launched Jr. Park Ranger Training with Indy Parks and Congressman Andre Carson’s office, supported participants advocating for Opportunity Youth in Washington D.C., received a grant from the NBA Foundation, and celebrated a young father building a path to prosperity with a new career in construction through YouthBuild Indy.

5. Wednesdays@WorkOne connected 1,600 unemployed and underemployed job seekers to jobs with employers like Vesta Structured Family Care.

6. EmployIndy Talent Connection placed 233 job seekers through personalized and customized support from recruitment managers.

7. Good Wages Initiative hosted first hiring fair, certified International District Community Center as 100th employer, and Howard Companies, Second Helpings, Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, and May’s Chemical are just a few certified employers who share their stories of improved success attracting, hiring, and retaining skilled talent that encourages a positive workplace culture and lower turnover costs.

8. 23rd Annual Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity Awards recognized Citizens Energy Group as the first Choice Employer awardee, a Good Wages certified employer that also focuses on supporting career pathways, culture and diversity, and employee resources.

9. New Skills ready network successfully expanded seamless admissions at IU Indianapolis.

10. EmployIndy is recognized as a key, national leader in education-to-career pathways in the Intermediary Origin Story from Education Strategy Group; a Getting Smart Podcast highlighting the Modern Apprenticeship Program and work with Accelerate Ed to provide structured, supported pathways for students to gain real-world experience and college credits; a documentary produced by Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Midwest and Ball State PBS on innovative approaches to career-connected and work-based learning; and the New Skills ready network 2023-2024 Snapshot: Indianapolis, Indiana emphasizing the alignment of career-advising practices across the Indianapolis pathways ecosystem.