INDIANAPOLIS – August 5, 2019 – TechPoint, Indiana’s tech ecosystem growth accelerator, won the inaugural Talent Pipeline & Workforce Innovation Award at the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) summer conference.

TECNA represents about 50 IT and Technology trade organizations that, in turn, represent more than 22,000 technology-related companies in North America.

TechPoint won the award for its Jobs in Tech 101 product. Launched in October 2018, Jobs in Tech 101 educates and informs students and career changers about which jobs exist in tech, what they are like, and what skills and experience are required. Located within the TechPoint website, the product also includes links to jobs posted on TechPoint’s Job Board that are currently open and available for application.

“Indiana is in an enviable position right now in that we have a lot of opportunity in the tech ecosystem. Our Jobs in Tech 101 product is designed to demystify those opportunities and provide a discovery tool to help those interested in tech industry jobs find their fit,” said TechPoint’s President and CEO Mike Langellier. “It’s great to have this national recognition for the unique work we’re doing here in Indiana making this the top Midwest tech ecosystem.”

“This year’s Innovation Award winners confirm that exceptional people work across the TECNA network and are delivering innovative, impactful programs and services for our member companies,” said Doug Robertson, TECNA Chairman.

TechPoint presented the Jobs in Tech 101 product and information on 22 Indiana college and university campuses in 2018 and 2019 and surveyed the attendees.

  • 91 percent of respondents said the presentation influenced their career choice.
  • 99 percent said they had a better understanding of the types of roles in tech that matched their skills and interests.
  • Before the presentation, 24 percent said they were interested in a tech career in Indianapolis. After they learned what tech careers are available, 87 percent had a great or very great interest in a tech career in Indianapolis.
  • Before the presentation, 69 percent had a positive impression of Indianapolis. Afterward, 94 percent had a positive impression of the city.
  • 92 percent left the presentation identifying roles in tech that match their skills and interests.

“We were thrilled with those results,” said Merillat Flowers, TechPoint’s senior director of college-to-career programs. “Too many people think – incorrectly – that you have to be a tech wizard, or someone with coding skills to get a tech job. The truth is, there are a lot of jobs in tech that don’t require technical background, and there’s also an opportunity to learn what you need to know to succeed in these careers. We’re happy to be helping on both those fronts.”

About TechPoint

TechPoint is the nonprofit, industry-led growth initiative for Indiana’s technology companies and overall tech ecosystem. The team is focused on attracting talent, accelerating scale-up companies, activating the community, and amplifying stories of success.

About TECNA

TECNA represents about 50 IT and Technology trade organizations that, in turn, represent more than 22,000 technology-related companies in North America.