Business, education, government and philanthropic leaders join forces to help solve workforce development crisis
INDIANAPOLIS – More than 100 Indiana leaders, including corporate CEOs, university presidents, K-12 superintendents and state government officials, have joined a coalition to develop a statewide modern youth apprenticeship system in Indiana as one potential solution to the state’s mounting workforce crisis.
The group recently kicked off a 10-month Implementation Lab (referred to as an iLab), an intensive collaborative that will result in a comprehensive, statewide plan to increase the number of available modern youth apprenticeships. The youth apprenticeship model allows 11th grade high school students to participate in a three-year, paid work-and-learn program. The apprenticeship culminates in a high school diploma, college credit and an industry credential, while at the same time preparing students for in-demand careers. CEMETS iLab Indiana is the brainchild of Ursula Renold, Ph.D., and Katie Caves, Ph.D., of the Center on Economics and Management of Education and Training Systems (CEMETS) at ETH Zurich, who are considered the preeminent experts in workplace learning research and implementation.
Indiana’s long-standing talent shortages worsened during the pandemic and are projected to increase due to an aging population and only a 63% labor force participation rate. Further, by 2031, 72% of jobs in the U.S. will require postsecondary education and/or training. Indiana is not on track to meet that need, with only 39% of Hoosier adults 25 years and over having an associate degree or higher. To complicate matters, college enrollment in Indiana declined from 65% in 2015 to 53% in 2021. All told, for each high school graduating class, only about 30% earn a college degree – meaning 70% enter the labor market without a degree or credential.
“We must take bold action to reform Indiana’s education and workforce development system to deliver better outcomes for individuals, employers and the state’s economy,” said David Becker, chairman and chief executive officer of First Internet Bank and co-chair of CEMETS iLab Indiana. “By forming this unprecedented coalition and increasing apprenticeship opportunities, we can change the trajectory of Indiana’s workforce issues and strengthen our state’s economy.”
The iLab’s members – listed below – include leaders in business, education, government and philanthropy, many of whom became supporters of the modern youth apprenticeship movement during a September 2023 Indy Chamber Leadership Exchange trip to see Switzerland’s system in action. The Swiss are internationally recognized for their system, with two-thirds of 10th graders entering a three- or four-year paid apprenticeship from about 250 different occupations spanning all sectors of the economy.
While on the trip, Claire Fiddian-Green, president and CEO of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation and iLab co-chair, announced a $180,000 grant that would allow CEMETS to host an iLab in Indiana. “CEMETS iLab Indiana will support stakeholders working to scale modern youth apprenticeship programs both in the Indianapolis region and statewide,” said Fiddian-Green. “By making Indiana a leader in work-based learning, we’re seeking to become a top destination for employers looking to expand existing businesses and entrepreneurs working to launch new businesses.”
The iLab’s members are divided into committees that focus on the roles of relevant stakeholder groups – employers, high schools and higher education institutions. The iLab is specifically targeting how to scale youth apprenticeship across three industry groupings – banking and insurance, life sciences and healthcare, and advanced manufacturing, all of which face increasing talent shortages. Also, a key deliverable of the iLab is the recommendation of a governing and operating structure that can oversee the work to scale youth apprenticeship statewide, eventually spanning all sectors of Indiana’s economy.
Because of the Fairbanks Foundation’s years-long investment to bring the modern youth apprenticeship system to Indiana, it is providing subject matter expertise and partnering with CEMETS leadership to oversee the iLab from inception to completion. Ascend Indiana, the talent and workforce development initiative of Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, is providing project management for iLab committees, offering opportunities for industry leaders to see apprenticeships in action, and coordinating convenings of iLab stakeholders. The Indy Chamber is conducting an industry occupation analysis to inform the iLab’s work and will develop a plan for how to communicate about modern youth apprenticeship to employers and other stakeholders.
To fund the management of the iLab, the Fairbanks Foundation awarded a $100,000 grant to the Indy Chamber, and a portion of the Fairbanks Foundation’s existing $6 million grant to Ascend Indiana is being used to fund their work with the iLab. Ascend will also support industry-specific trips for iLab committee members.
“iLab Indiana is key to unlocking the ability for our state to meet talent needs by connecting many more youth with work-based learning opportunities,” said Melina Kennedy, CEO, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership. “CICP is well-positioned to support this coalition through its industry sector initiatives. Further, Ascend brings a unique perspective to coordinate this effort given their expertise as a workforce intermediary that also convenes a statewide youth apprenticeship community of practice.”
“Our current system isn’t meeting the needs of students, employers or the state. The modern youth apprenticeship model is a unique opportunity to invest in homegrown Hoosier talent and to meet the needs of tomorrow’s economy,” said Matt Mindrum, president and CEO, Indy Chamber. “Together, we can position Indiana as a leader and innovator in education reform and workforce development.”
The ultimate goal of CEMETS iLab Indiana is to ensure that by 2034, every student and adult learner in Indiana has access to high-quality education and training options. Reaching this goal will enable all Hoosiers to discover their passions, reach their fullest potential, and meaningfully contribute to the economic and civic vitality of their communities.
###
Note: This roster is current as of Jan. 18, 2024.
|
Governing Committee |
|
| David Becker, co-chair | Chairman & CEO, First Internet Bank |
| Claire Fiddian-Green, co-chair | President & CEO, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation |
| Senator Rod Bray | President Pro Tempore of the Indiana Senate, District 37 |
| Jeff Harrison | President & CEO, Citizens Energy Group |
| Representative Todd Huston | Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives, District 37 |
| Dr. Katie Jenner | Indiana Secretary of Education |
| Melina Kennedy | CEO, Central Indiana Community Partnership |
| Chris Lowery | Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education |
| Matt Mindrum | President & CEO, Indy Chamber |
| Mario Rodriguez | Executive Director, Indianapolis Airport Authority |
| Pamela Whitten | President, Indiana University |
|
Industry Committee |
|
| Mike Ash, co-chair | Regional President, Fifth Third Bank |
| Dennis Murphy, co-chair | President & CEO, Indiana University Health |
| Banking | |
| Scott Bove | South Region President, Star Financial Bank |
| Kyra Clark | SVP & Chief Human Resources Officer, Lake City Bank |
| Angie Dane | SVP, Human Resources Director, Star Financial Bank |
| Jason Eckerle | Regional President, Central & Southern Indiana, PNC Bank |
| David Findlay | Chairman & CEO, Lake City Bank |
| Juan Gonzalez | President, Central Indiana, KeyBank |
| Steve Harris | Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, First Merchants Bank |
| Carrie Houston | First Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, The National Bank of Indianapolis |
| Lucia Mar | Senior Vice President & Market Executive, Bank of America |
| Ann Merkel | SVP & Chief Market Development Officer, The National Bank of Indianapolis |
| Lorraine Ortiz | First Vice President, Chief People Officer, First Internet Bank |
| James Ryan III | CEO, Old National Bank |
| Jake Sappenfield | Commercial Market President, First Financial Bank |
| Robert Senz | Senior Vice President, Talent Management, PNC Bank |
| Michael Stewart | President, First Merchants Corporation and First Merchants Bank |
| Amber Van Til | President & CEO, Indiana Bankers Association |
|
Insurance |
|
| Scott Davison | Chairman, President & CEO, OneAmerica |
| Karin Sarratt | Executive Vice President, OneAmerica |
| Kim Thomas | Vice President, Diversity Equity & Inclusion & Community Affairs, OneAmerica |
|
Health Care |
|
| Karly Cope | Vice President of Talent Management, Community Health Network |
| Nancy Foster | Market Chief Human Resources Officer, Ascension St. Vincent |
| Kreg Gruber | CEO, Beacon Health System |
| Lisa Harris, MD | CEO, Eskenazi Health |
| Christia Hicks | Chief Human Resources Officer, Eskenazi Health |
| Erin LaCross, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP | Senior Vice President, Nursing Professional Development, Parkview Health |
| Melinda Lebofsky | Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, Deaconess Health System |
| Michelle Mahaffey | Chief Human Resources Officer, Community Health Network |
| Michael Schroyer, RN, MSN, FACHE | President, Baptist Health Floyd |
| Dr. Adrienne D. Sims | Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, Indiana University Health |
| Mary Jo Smith | Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Franciscan Alliance |
| Ram Yeleti, MD | Executive Vice President, Chief Physician Executive, Community Health Network |
|
Life Sciences |
|
| Bridget Boyle | Head of People & Culture, Roche Diagnostics |
| Kelly Copes-Anderson | Vice President and Global Head of Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Eli Lilly and Company |
| Allyn Decker | Vice President of Operations and Engagement, OrthoWorx Indiana |
| Trevor Foughty | Vice President of Public Affairs, Heartland BioWorks |
| Matthew Linville | Senior Director, Human Resources, Zimmer Biomet |
| Erin Serafino | Talent Director, OrthoWorx Indiana |
| Maurice Taylor | Executive Director, Talent Attraction, Recruitment Marketing and Workforce Equity Programs, Eli Lilly and Company |
|
Advanced Manufacturing |
|
| Dannette Howard | Global Education Director, Corporate Responsibility, Cummins, Inc. |
| Mark Murphy | President, PRD, Inc. |
|
State and Intermediary Partners |
|
| Tony Denhart | Executive Vice President, Workforce and Talent, Indiana Economic Development Corporation |
| Michi McClaine | Vice President of Talent Development, Regional Opportunity Initiatives |
| Matt Mindrum | President & CEO, Indy Chamber |
| Richard Paulk | Commissioner, Indiana Department of Workforce Development |
| David Rosenberg | Secretary of Commerce, Indiana Economic Development Corporation |
| Vanessa Green Sinders | President & CEO, Indiana Chamber of Commerce |
| Jay Styles | Senior Vice President, Partnerships and Talent Connections, EmployIndy |
|
High School Committee |
|
| Dan Funston, co-chair | Superintendent, Concord Community Schools |
| Kent Kramer, co-chair | President & CEO, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana |
|
Districts or Charter School Networks |
|
| Andy Allen | High School Principal, Batesville Community School Corporation |
| Adam Barton | High School Principal, Eastern Hancock Community School Corporation |
| Tara Bishop | Superintendent, Perry Central Community Schools |
| Dr. Jeff Butts | Superintendent, MSD Wayne Township |
| Rebecca Daugherty-Saunders | District Director of College and Career Readiness, MSD Wayne Township |
| Betsy Delgado | Senior Vice President and Chief Mission and Education Officer, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana |
| Jody French | Jr./Sr. High School Principal, Perry Central Community Schools |
| Dr. David Hoffert | Superintendent, Warsaw Community Schools |
| Andrea Huff | Superintendent, Barr-Reeve Community Schools |
| Dr. Aleesia Johnson | Superintendent, Indianapolis Public Schools |
| Dr. Lisa Kendall | Assistant Superintendent of Educational Programming, Concord Community Schools |
| Paul Ketcham | Superintendent, Batesville Community School Corporation |
| Melissa Kissling | College & Career Connections Manager, Warsaw Community Schools |
| Robert McDermott | Assistant Superintendent, Duneland School Corporation |
| Chip Pettit | Superintendent, Duneland School Corporation |
| Dr. George Philhower | Superintendent, Eastern Hancock Community School Corporation |
| Tim Pletcher | High School Principal, Baugo Community Schools |
| Byron Sanders | Superintendent, Baugo Community Schools |
| Dr. Keanna Warren | CEO, Purdue Polytechnic High Schools |
| B.J. Watts | OptIN Executive Director, Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation |
|
State and Intermediary Partners |
|
| Beth Bray | Program Officer, Education Program, Walton Family Foundation |
| Jason Callahan | Assistant Secretary of Student Pathways & Opportunities, Indiana Department of Education |
| Erika Seydel Cheney | VP, K-12 Career-Connected Learning, EmployIndy |
| Todd Hurst | Executive Director, Institute for Workforce Excellence, Indiana Chamber of Commerce |
| Sarah Koontz | Director of CareerWise Youth Apprenticeships, CareerWise Elkhart County |
| Dr. Katie Lash | VP for K-14 and Strategic Initiatives, Ivy Tech Community College |
|
Higher Education Committee |
|
| Sue Ellspermann, co-chair | President, Ivy Tech Community College |
| Kenith Britt, co-chair | COO & Chancellor, Marian University |
|
Higher Education Institutions |
|
| Melissa Beckwith | Chief Strategy Officer, Butler University |
| Daniel Castro-Lacouture | Dean, Purdue Polytechnic Institute |
| Molly Dodge | Senior Vice President, Workforce and Careers, Ivy Tech Community College |
| Sean Huddleston | President, Martin University |
| Dottie King | President & CEO, Independent Colleges of Indiana |
| Andrew Kocher | Vice President of Corporate and Community Partnerships, University of Indianapolis |
| Dr. Leah Nellis | Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Special Projects; Strategic Lead for Academic Initiatives, IU Office of School Partnerships; Professor of Education, Indiana University |
| Dr. Lori Pence | Associate Provost for K-12 Programs & Partnerships, Vincennes University |
|
State and Intermediary Partners |
|
| Dr. Michelle Ashcraft | Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief Program Officer, Indiana Commission for Higher Education |
| Jason Bearce | Vice President, Education & Workforce Development, Indiana Chamber of Commerce |
| Betsy Revell | Senior Vice President, Career-Connected Learning, EmployIndy |
| Brian Wiebe | President & CEO, Horizon Education Alliance |
|
Policy Committee |
|
| Representative Bob Behning, co-chair | Chair, Education Committee, Indiana House of Representatives District 91 |
| Senator Jeff Raatz, co-chair | Chair, Education and Career Development Committee, Indiana Senate District 27 |
| Elected Officials | |
| Senator Andrea Hunley | Senator, Indiana Senate District 46 |
| Representative Julie McGuire | Representative, Indiana House District 93 |
| Representative Vernon Smith | Representative, Indiana House District 14 |
|
State, Corporate and Intermediary Partners |
|
| Jason Bearce | Vice President, Education & Workforce Development, Indiana Chamber of Commerce |
| Susan Brock-Williams | Associate Vice President, State Government Affairs, Eli Lilly and Company |
| David Buyze | Director of Policy and Special Programs, Indiana Department of Education |
| Miranda Cripe | CareerWise Elkhart County Partnership Manager, Horizon Education Alliance |
| Whitney Ertel | Executive Director, Governor’s Workforce Cabinet |
| Josh Garrison | Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief of Staff, Indiana Commission for Higher Education |
| Taylor Hughes | Vice President, Policy & Strategy, Indy Chamber |
| Danny Kelley | Policy Director, Indiana House Republicans |
| Marie Mackintosh | President & CEO, EmployIndy |
| Tina Peterson | President & CEO, Regional Opportunity Initiatives |
| Betsy Wiley | President & CEO, Institute for Quality Education |
