Earlier this month, the Fondation Richard M. Fairbanks announced it awarded grants to launch two new Industry Talent Associations (ITAs) to support the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway (INCAP):

The organizations selected to run ITAs were chosen by CEMETS iLab Indiana industry members who traveled to Switzerland to observe peer employers that educate and train apprentices and adults. The new ITAs will play a critical role in developing and implementing INCAP by engaging employers in their industry, identifying talent needs, choosing occupations for INCAP programs, defining required knowledge and skills, and collaborating with educators to develop education and training materials.

Leaders in construction believe that on-the-job experience is critical for students. According to Chris Price, president of the Indiana Construction Roundtable Foundation, “There’s nothing like walking onto a job site in a pair of work boots and realizing you’re already on track for a six-figure career — while still in high school. INCAP gives students real-world experience and opens their eyes to what’s possible. It’s exciting to see how scalable this program is and the impact it will have across the state of Indiana.”

Dennis Trinkle, leader of the IT Industry Talent Association, noted that he’s particularly excited about the strong collaboration with industry, education, and community partners — a sign, he believes, that INCAP will significantly benefit Indiana’s economy and workforce. “Indiana’s economic future hinges on our ability to develop a robust, skilled workforce for the technology sector and for tech-powered roles across all sectors. INCAP provides an extraordinary opportunity to open meaningful career pathways for Hoosiers through apprenticeships and other forms of work-based learning,” said Trinkle.

The new ITAs join four existing ITAs, which launched in 2024:

Some of the industries expect to welcome their first INCAP apprentices in the fall of 2026. Visit RMFF.org/iLab to find out more about CEMETS iLab Indiana, INCAP, and how you can get involved.