Educators and Employers Unite to Bridge Workforce Gap at New Skills Ready Network Event
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A collaborative effort to link high school education with high-paying job opportunities took center stage on Tuesday at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis. The New Skills Ready Network, funded by a five-year, $7 million investment from JP Morgan Chase, aims to assist underserved students across six cities in securing in-demand jobs.
In Indianapolis, EmployIndy plays a vital role in connecting educational institutions with higher education and employers through three key strategies: facilitating smooth transitions from high school to college or technical schools, promoting work-based learning, and providing career advising.
Jhaniya Litt, a third-year modern youth apprentice with Indianapolis Public Schools, shared her experience, highlighting the development of essential skills applicable to her future ambitions in social work. “The skills I’m learning now can be utilized in that career,” she stated.
Kevin Lopez expressed satisfaction with his seamless admissions experience at Indiana University Indianapolis, where students maintaining GPAs of 3.0 or higher are automatically admitted. He noted the convenience of the university’s location and reported a 130% increase in admissions for Indianapolis Public Schools students.
PJ Woolston, vice chancellor for enrollment at IU Indy, noted that many students previously uncertain about their college prospects are now embracing the opportunity. “We’ve allowed IPS students to gain access to college, even if they didn’t initially consider it,” he explained.
As the initiative approaches its final year, both organizers and participants, like Litt and EmployIndy’s Marie Mackintosh, express optimism about the program’s lasting impact on local students and the community. They believe the efforts have set the foundation for future career pathways, encouraging students to remain engaged in their local environment.
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