Indiana’s New Career Pathway

Preparing More Hoosiers For Success After High School

A NEW PATH TO A REWARDING CAREER

Hoosiers need more options when deciding what comes next after high school, and a group of Indiana leaders has a plan for creating a new pathway to opportunity.

The new professional education and training pathway combines classroom education with on-the-job training to prepare high school students for careers and develop a new talent pipeline for employers seeking to address workforce needs. As an alternative learning route for students, the professional pathway will complement the existing high school-to-college pathway and provide new opportunities to tens of thousands of Hoosiers, including many who otherwise may not have opted to attend college or pursue training after high school.

THE NEED FOR A SYSTEM SERVING ALL HOOSIERS

Indiana must take bold action to deliver better outcomes for individuals, employers, and the state’s economy.

INDIANA’S EDUCATION AND SKILLS MISMATCH

By 2031, 72% of U.S. jobs will require an education beyond high school, but Indiana is not on track to meet that need.1

39%
of Indiana adults 25 or older have an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or other advanced degree.2
×

Impact of Smoking on Indiana Employers

Smoking Breaks Cost
$0B
Smokers Are
00%
LESS PRODUCTIVE THAN NON-SMOKERS
Smokers are absent more days than 
non-smokers, costing Indiana employers
$0M
53%
of Indiana’s 2022 high school graduates enrolled in college within one year.3
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Impact of Smoking on Employer Healthcare Costs

Each business pays an estimated
$0
in extra healthcare costs each year for every employee who smokes.
47%
of Indiana’s college students graduate on time, and 67% graduate within six years.4
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Benefits of a $2/Pack Tax Increase

0%
Decrease in youth smoking
0
Youth prevented from becoming adult smokers
0
Premature smoking-caused deaths prevented
<40%
of each high school cohort graduates from high school and earns a college degree.5
×

Percentage of Adults Using e-Cigarettes

2016
0%
0%
2021
0%
0%
United States
Indiana

Seeking A New Path For Hoosiers

To address talent demands, Indiana is building a new professional education and training pathway. This path is inspired by Switzerland’s acclaimed professional and vocational education and training system, where employers and educators collaborate to develop skilled talent starting in high school.

A group of leaders from Indiana studied the Swiss system with the help of experts from the Center on the Economics and Management of Education and Training Systems (CEMETS) at the Chair of Education Systems, ETH Zurich.

The key learning is
Employers must lead this new pathway by:

Identifying in-demand occupations and the related knowledge, skills, and competencies.

Collaborating with educators to develop the education and training content.

Delivering a significant portion of the education and training through on-the-job learning.

A successful pathway also requires:

Education and training opportunities to be available statewide.

The creation of formal credentials for students recognized by higher education and employers.

With these pieces in place, the traditional college pathway and this new professional pathway can merge into a comprehensive system, offering Indiana students diverse opportunities for preparing for rewarding, well-paying careers.

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“There are a lot of talented students who don’t know about our industry or who think you need a college degree to work in it. By bringing students to work in banks during high school when they’re still mapping out their futures, the industry will give young people the chance to experience the workplace and learn about their opportunities.”

– Mike Ash, Region President, Fifth Third Bank

Testing a potential solution and identifying barriers

Using learnings from the Swiss system, the first pilot program in Indiana launched in Goshen in 2019. In 2020, with funding from the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, Ascend Indiana launched a youth apprenticeship pilot program in Marion County as well as a statewide Community of Practice to ensure lessons learned were shared across all Indiana communities working to design and implement pilot programs.

Indiana’s existing apprenticeship model is a three-year, paid program that begins in the 11th grade and leads to a high school diploma, college credit, and an industry credential. There are seven youth apprenticeship pilot sites in operation across the state, serving 100 employers, 40 schools, and 450 students across 13 counties.

While Indiana’s pilot programs created new opportunities for students, several challenges also emerged:
  • Lack of standardized, industry-created occupations and curriculum. Because industry doesn’t speak with one voice, apprenticeship programs are currently customized to meet individual employer needs. This makes it difficult to scale the system because there is no uniform set of knowledge, skill, and competency requirements for each occupation at the industry level.

  • Inflexible high school schedules. High school diploma credit hour requirements limit the amount of time apprentices can spend on-site at an employer. This impacts their ability to learn workplace skills and become productive employees, which reduces the return on investment for employers.

  • Few transportation options. Because of limited time out of the high school building combined with customized apprenticeship programs, it is difficult for schools and employers to identify cost-effective transportation.

  • Lack of labor market-aligned career advising for students. School counselors lack the time to provide comprehensive career guidance to every student. Further, they lack access to real-time, statewide labor market projections, making it challenging for students to select the best education and training pathway for their desired career.

  • No formally recognized credential that accounts for skills learned at the workplace. Today, an apprentice’s only option for a credential recognized by employers and the higher education system is to earn an associate degree or higher. This has led some apprentices to leave their programs early to pursue college degrees, limiting the return on investment for employers.

  • A fragmented work-based learning landscape. Indiana’s current work-based learning landscape is fragmented and involves multiple education, intermediary and government actors. This makes it challenging for employers to navigate work-based learning program options and can result in multiple entities trying to engage separately with the same employer, which is burdensome for businesses.

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Building A New Career Pathway

In December 2023, the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation invited leaders from existing Indiana pilot programs as well as participants from the September 2023 Indy Chamber Leadership Exchange trip to Zurich, Switzerland, to form CEMETS iLab Indiana, a coalition of nearly 200 leaders from a variety of sectors interested in building a new education and training pathway rooted in a youth apprenticeship experience starting in high school.

Within this new pathway, students will be paid for the duration of the year-round, three-year experience, which begins in 11th grade, and they will receive a degree recognizing both their academic and workplace learning.

iLab members have identified essential criteria for the new pathway to address previous barriers and meet the needs of students, employers, colleges, and K-12 schools:

  • Occupations should align with projected labor market needs and be identified by employers speaking as one voice for their industry.

  • The pathway should begin in high school, combining on-the-job experience with related academic instruction.

  • Work-based learning must be a paid, year-round experience, with the apprentices as both students and employees.

  • To maximize value for both the apprentice and employer, at least 50% (ideally 65%) of training should occur at the employer site.

  • Academic instruction should vary by occupation. For example, a healthcare apprentice should study biology and anatomy, while a banking apprentice should study math and economics.

  • High school classroom time requirements should be reduced to give students more time for on-the-job learning while also allowing flexibility to participate in extracurricular activities.

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“I’m all-in because I see what’s happening around the state in those school districts that are empowering kids and offering these types of experiences. The schools that are most impactful on students tend to be those that allow personalization and allow kids to go after their dreams, and that includes having experiences outside of the classroom walls that pique their interest.”

– Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education

Priorities To Make The Path A Reality

The strategic plan identifies four immediate priorities, with the most critical being for industry to unify its voice on talent needs. Once organized, K-12, higher education, and government partners can develop systems to scale youth apprenticeship programs.

PRIORITY ONE:

ESTABLISH TALENT ASSOCIATIONS 

To help industry organize as one voice regarding its talent needs, form industry talent associations to select priority occupations, identify required knowledge and skills, and develop curricula in partnership with educators. The first talent associations planned as part of the system are in industry sectors facing increasing talent shortages – banking, healthcare, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing and logistics.

PRIORITY TWO:

ESTABLISH MECHANISMS TO PROGRESS UP, ACROSS PATHWAYS

Create structured mechanisms for students to progress up the professional pathway or transition across the college and professional pathways. This will require the development of degrees that acknowledge skills gained via work-based learning that are recognized by employers and higher education.

PRIORITY THREE:

DESIGN A LABOR MARKET-ALIGNED CAREER ADVISING SYSTEM

Ensure students receive career guidance and can engage in career exploration activities starting in middle school, so they are equipped to enter the professional pathway if that’s what they and their families choose.

PRIORITY FOUR:

DEFINE CLEAR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Define roles and responsibilities for employers, educators, government, and other stakeholders to transition Indiana to a coordinated, output-oriented governance structure for the professional pathway. Define funding mechanisms based on these roles.

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FOCUS INDUSTRIES + THE DEMAND FOR SKILLED TALENT

The first step is the establishment of industry “talent associations,” organizations that enable employers within their industry to speak with one voice when it comes to their talent needs. Talent associations will select occupations, identify the required knowledge, skills, and competencies, and collaborate with educators to develop education and training content.

The first set of talent associations are within industries facing projected talent shortfalls that also have the strong support of industry executives:

Advanced
Manufacturing

Banking

Healthcare

Life Sciences

To fund the creation of talent associations, the Fairbanks Foundation awarded two-year grants of up to $250,000 to organizations identified by the iLab’s Industry Committee as best positioned to readily assume the talent association function:

  • BioCrossroads: Healthcare talent association – $200,000
  • BioCrossroads: Life sciences talent association – $200,000
  • Conexus Indiana: Advanced manufacturing and logistics talent association – $250,000

Plans are also underway for a talent association in the banking industry to be operated by the Indiana Bankers Association. The Fairbanks Foundation expects to award a similar grant to IBA’s Foundation in early 2025.

All talent association grants are contingent upon each organization’s ability to secure matching funds for the talent associations from employers within their industries.

“We talked with a number of kids [Swiss apprentices] who started on one track, didn’t like it, and then switched. It’s structured for people to on-ramp and off-ramp.”

– Dennis Murphy, President and CEO, Indiana University Health

ABOUT CEMETS iLAB INDIANA

CEMETS iLab Indiana is a coalition of nearly 200 Hoosier leaders representing a variety of sectors including business, K-12 education, higher education, and government. The coalition’s members joined forces in 2023 to design a new statewide professional education and training system rooted in a youth apprenticeship experience starting in high school.

iLAB COMMITTEE MEMBERS

The iLab’s members are divided into committees that focus on the roles of relevant stakeholder groups.

Co-Chairs

  • David Becker, Chairman & CEO, First Internet Bank
  • Claire Fiddian-Green, President & CEO, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation

Members

  • Mike Ash, Regional President, Fifth Third Bank
  • Senator Rod Bray, President Pro Tempore of the Indiana Senate
  • Jeff Harrison, President & CEO, Citizens Energy Group
  • Representative Todd Huston, Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives
  • Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education
  • Melina Kennedy, CEO, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership
  • Chris Lowery, Commissioner of Indiana Commission for Higher Education
  • Matt Mindrum, President & CEO, Indy Chamber
  • Dennis Murphy, President & CEO, Indiana University Health
  • Mario Rodriguez, Executive Director, Indianapolis Airport Authority
  • Vanessa Green Sinders, President & CEO, Indiana Chamber of Commerce
  • Amber Van Til, President & CEO, Indiana Bankers Association
  • Pamela Whitten, President, Indiana University
  • Vince Wong, President & CEO, BioCrossroads

Committee Staffing

  • Erica Viar, Vice President of Consulting, Ascend Indiana

Co-Chairs

  • Mike Ash, Region President, Fifth Third Bank
  • Dennis Murphy, President and CEO, Indiana University Health

Industry Representatives

Advanced Manufacturing

  • Nicole Adamopoulos, Safety & Operational Learning, Learning Delivery Manager – Whiting Refinery, BP
  • Kevin Ahaus, President & CEO, Ahaus
  • Scott Brand, President & COO, Subaru Indiana
  • Chris Brunner, AM Region Talent Strategy and Marketing Manager – Human Capital, Hitachi Astemo Greenfield, LLC
  • Julia Buckley, Chief Operations Officer, Reliable MicroSystems, LLC
  • Brendan Cahill, President, PTG Silicones
  • Chris Clark, Training and Development Manager, PMC SMART Solutions
  • Andrew Davies, Engineering Skills Team Leader, Rolls-Royce North America
  • James Deffendall, HR Manager, Plastic Recycling, Inc.
  • Jonathan Desalvo, President & CEO, Arcamed
  • Scott Farrisee, Vice President of Engineering, Polygon Company
  • Brooke Firestine, Global Resourcing Business Partner – Defence; Talent Acquisition GBS People Services, Rolls-Royce North America
  • Fiorella Gambetta-Gibson, Director, Global Inclusion & Diversity & CSR, Allison Transmission
  • Katrin Gerig, Vice President of Human Resources, Telamon
  • Chad Goldsmith, Human Resources Organizational Development, Analyst Talent Management, Toyota Manufacturing NA
  • Dannette Howard, Global Education Director, Corporate Responsibility, Cummins, Inc.
  • Kiersten Janik, Chief Talent Officer – Heritage Construction & Materials, The Heritage Group
  • Sarah Johnston, Human Resources Manager, Sanko Gosei Technologies USA
  • James Keilman, Executive Director of HR, URSCHEL
  • Amy Ketcham, President, Tsuchiya Group North America
  • Shawn Maple, Director, Global Plastics, Inc.
  • Mark Murphy, President, PRD, Inc.
  • Bill Obras, General Manager Americas, Rego-Fix
  • Nicole Otte, Director of Workforce Development, Endress+Hauser USA
  • Rose Pedreros, HR Manager, George Utz
  • Heather Shah, AVP, Human Resources, dormakaba
  • Randy Sible, General Manager KEIND, Kimball Medical Solutions
  • Crispin Taylor, President & CEO, INDEX Corporation
  • Marissa Ulrich, Program Manager, IMPACT/Leadership & Cultural Development, Patrick Industries
  • Toby Walsman, Program Coordinator, Batesville Tool & Die., Inc.
  • Josh Wilber, Director of Human Resources, Grote Industries

Banking

  • Scott Bove, South Region President, Star Financial Bank
  • Kyra Clark, SVP & Chief Human Resources Officer, Lake City Bank
  • Jason Eckerle, Regional President, Central & Southern Indiana, PNC Financial Services Group
  • 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
  • Annie Hills, Chief of Staff, Old National Bank
  • Carrie Houston, First VP & 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
  • Christina Moungey, Managing Director, Ohio Indiana Region Manager, JP Morgan Chase
  • 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 Financial Services Group
  • Michael Stewart, President, First Merchants Corporation and First Merchants Bank

Construction

  • Kelly Barr, Owner, Square 1 Builders
  • Corey Baugh, Vice President, Milestone Contractors
  • Julia Beaty, Human Resources Training & Development Director, Beaty Construction, Inc. and C-Tech Corporation, Inc.
  • Dan Becker, President, Danco Roofing Services
  • Andrew Brindley, Owner, H-E Homes
  • Margaret Brooks, Co-CEO, Brooks Construction Co., Inc
  • Jeff Carlson, Director of Construction Services, Superior Construction Co.
  • Thomas Dapp, Chairman and CEO, Gradex Inc.
  • Adam DeVon, Co-Owner, DeVon Builders
  • Tim Eckert, Business Manager, Weber Concrete
  • Glen Etienne, President – Owner, Construction Engineering Solutions, LLC
  • Tony Evans, Vice President, E&B Paving, LLC
  • Tim Evers, Sr. Director of Operations, Carrier Global
  • Jim Farmer, Operations Manager, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
  • Eric Fisher, Director, Talent & Development, Indiana Constructors Inc.
  • Rod Foley, President, North Mechanical Contracting & Service
  • Chuck Goodrich, President, Gaylor Electric
  • Andre Grocox, Training Director, Electrical Training Institute
  • Jonathan Haggarty, Executive Vice President, Meyer Najem Construction
  • Heather Haliburton, VP of Human Resources & Community Partnerships, Shiel Sexton
  • Kerry Hamlin, Talent Acquisition Director, Ryan Fireprotection, Inc.
  • John Hirschman, President & CEO, Principal, Browning Construction
  • Scott Hirschman, President of Construction, Principal, Browning Construction
  • Hannah Hochgesang, HR Manager, Coreslab Structures
  • Ken Johnson, Regional President, AECOM Hunt
  • Greg Jones, Catforce Manager, Messer Construction
  • Pat Kenney, Vice President, F.A. Wilhelm
  • Jarod Klaas, Senior Director, Planning & Development, Indianapolis Airport Authority
  • Sara Mamuska-Morris, Executive Director of Capital Programs & Engineering, Citizens Energy Group
  • Todd Mattingly, President, Brandt Construction
  • Paul Okeson, President, Garmong Construction
  • Dan Peddicord, Indiana President, Pepper Construction
  • Mike Perry, Vice President, Industrial Electric
  • Mamon Powers, President, Powers and Sons
  • Chris Price, President, ICR Foundation
  • Tom Reasoner, CEO, The Peterson Company
  • Beth Rovazzini, President, B&W Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Drains
  • Nathan Shinkle, Operations Manager, Poynter Sheet Metal
  • Dan Shumaker, Executive Vice President, AECOM Hunt
  • Scott Stine, Regional Vice President, Rieth-Riley Construction
  • Doug Taylor, Director of Operations, Groundbreakers
  • Scott Trueblood, President, Holladay Construction Company
  • Sarah Walker, Director of Hagerman Institute, The Hagerman Group
  • Tim Whicker, President, Electric Plus
  • Joe Wilhelm, Estimator, F.A. Wilhelm
  • Marquisha Williams, EEO Officer & HR Area Partner, Milestone Contractors

Healthcare

  • Laura Barnett, Senior Recruiter, Hancock Health
  • Karly Cope, Vice President, Talent Management, Community Health Network
  • Mario Ellis, Chief Human Resources Officer, Beacon Health System
  • Melora Ferren, Vice President of Learning & Development, IU Health
  • Nancy Foster, Chief Human Resources Executive, Ascension St. Vincent
  • Kreg Gruber, CEO, Beacon Health System
  • Lisa Harris, MD, CEO, Eskenazi Health
  • Christia Hicks, Chief Human Resources Officer, Eskenazi Health
  • David Hyatt, President & CEO, Riverview Health
  • Dena Jacquay, Chief Administrative Officer, Parkview 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, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, Community Health Network
  • Tammi Nash, Chief Nursing Officer, Riverview Health
  • Mary Schabes, Vice President of Talent and Culture, Beacon Health System
  • Heather Schoegler, Director of Strategic Educational Partnership, Parkview Health
  • Michael Schroyer, RN, MSN, FACHE, President, Baptist Health Floyd
  • Christopher Scott, Chief Clinical Operating Officer, Eskenazi Health
  • Dr. Adrienne Sims, Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, Indiana University Health
  • Mary Jo Smith, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Franciscan Alliance
  • Jason Troutwine, Vice President/Reid Foundation President, Reid Health
  • Ram Yeleti, MD, Executive Vice President, Chief Physician Executive, Community Health Network

Insurance

  • Lisa Cameron, VP of Human Resources, Indiana Farmers Insurance
  • Scott Davison, Chairman, President, & CEO, OneAmerica
  • Drew Dean, VP, Managing Director, Burns & Wilcox
  • Anne Duncan, Marketing Manager, Arlington/Roe
  • Nidia Garza, VP of Talent Management, OneAmerica
  • Brittany Graman, HR Director, Gibson Insurance
  • Todd Jackson, Partner, McGowan Insurance Group
  • Sheila Kemp, Senior HR, FCCI Insurance Group
  • Jon Loftin, President & COO, MJ Insurance
  • Dean Mayfield, CIC President, Mayfield Insurance
  • Amanda Pennington, VP of Sales Enablement, UnitedHealth Group
  • Chris Pohl, Chief Human Resources Officer, OneAmerica
  • Andy Roe, President & Chief Operating Officer, Arlington/Roe
  • Jim Roe, Chairman & CEO, Arlington/Roe
  • Karin Sarratt, Executive Vice President, OneAmerica
  • Kim Thomas, VP, DEI & Community Affairs, OneAmerica
  • Maggie Watkins, HR Director, Shepherd Insurance
  • Kevin Wheeler, Eastern Advisory Manager, Angela Adams Consulting

IT

  • Rick Barretto, Co-Founder and Visionary Officer, Hope Training Academy
  • Matt Belanger, Vice President & Chief Information Officer, Republic Airways
  • Suzanne Boucher, Associate Vice President of Tech Transformation, Eli Lilly and Company
  • Andrew Cohoat, President & CCO, Mesh Systems
  • Brittani Davis, Director, Human Resources, iLAB, LLC
  • Tonya Gilbert, Managing Director of Strategic Operations, Republic Airways
  • Mike Halbig, CEO & Founder, InGen Technologies
  • Matt Hunckler, CEO, Powederkeg
  • Ben Ivers, Chief Product Officer, Tenon
  • Heather Jackson, CEO, iXplore
  • Drew Linn, Partner & CEO, Counterpart
  • Daniel Love, Management, Atlas IT
  • Marty Nowlin, SVP, Human Resources, OPENLANE
  • Tammy Parker, Director of IT Operations, True RX Health Strategists
  • Aaron Pritz, CEO and Co-Founder, Reveal Risk
  • Jason Roseberry, CEO & President, Five Star
  • Manash Sahoo, Partner, IonThree
  • Kayla Schaeffer, Human Resources Business Partner, Samtec
  • Justin Sheitlin, CISO, Allegion
  • Eric Stanley, Founder and CEO, M2N
  • Rupal Thanwala, CEO, Trident Systems
  • Pat Todd, Vice President of HR and Public Relations, RTC Communications
  • Ryan Vaughn, President, EXOS IT
  • Amy Waggoner, VP, US State & Local Government Affairs, Salesforce
  • Brian Williams, Managing Director, Accenture
  • Hope Williams, VP of Talent, High Alpha

Life Sciences

  • Ashley Allen, SVP, Human Resources, Eli Lilly and Company
  • Bridget Boyle, Head of People and Culture, Roche Diagnostics
  • Laurent Ellenrieder, Head Manufacturing Engineering, Medartis
  • Babette Gann, VP of HR for Ops, Supply Chain, QA & RA, Zimmer Biomet
  • Emily Garrison, Senior Director, Talent Acquisition, Elanco
  • Caroline Squatrito, HR Manager, Aramed
  • Maurice Taylor, Executive Director, Talent Attraction, Recruitment Marketing and Workforce Equity Programs, Eli Lilly and Company

Microelectronics

  • Adam Buehler, Director of Operations, Ametum
  • Matthew Chung, Sr. Talent Acquisition Specialist, SK Hynix
  • Duane Embree, Site Lead, Draper
  • Matt Kay, Chief Engineer, NSWC Crane Trusted Microelectronics

Sports, Entertainment, & Hospitality

  • Matt Albrecht, Executive Vice President & CFO, Indiana Pacers
  • Leanna Chroman, VP, Culture & Learning, Huse Culinary, Inc.
  • Dana Huber, VP, Marketing & Public Relations, Huber Orchard and Winery
  • Kyle Hueston, General Manager, Hyatt
  • Randy Lewandowski, President & GM, Indianapolis Indians
  • Eric Neuberger, Stadium Director, Lucas Oil & Indiana Convention Center
  • Ersal Ozdemir, Founder & Chairman, Keystone Group & Indy Eleven
  • Jasmine Park, VP of People, Culture, and Inclusion, Indianapolis Colts
  • Jerry Purvis, Regional Vice President, Sodexo
  • MieYoung Reed, Dual Director Of Human Resources at JW Marriott, White Lodging
  • Eric Snow, VP & Chief Marketing Officer, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari
  • Libby Warrner, HR Manager, Hyatt
  • Donna Wilkinson, Chief People Officer, Indiana Pacers

State and Intermediary Partners

  • Claire Berger, Regional Director, Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship, Indiana Department of Workforce Development
  • Mike Bottorff, Vice President, School of Information Technology, Ivy Tech Community College
  • Judy Bueckert, Executive Director, Southern Indiana Education Center (SIEC)
  • Lynn Busby, Director of Community Outreach, Indiana Careers in Construction Association
  • Seth Carey, Nursing Program Director & Assistant Professor, Butler University
  • Bryce Carpenter, Senior Vice President, Industry Engagement, Conexus Indiana
  • Ryan Christner, Executive Director, Orthopedic Industry Retention Initiative, OrthoWorx Indiana
  • Gregory Deason, Senior VP Alliances & Placemaking, Purdue Research Foundation
  • Allyn Decker, Vice President of Operations & Engagement, OrthoWorx Indiana
  • Tony Denhart, Executive Vice President, Workforce and Talent, Indiana Economic Development Corporation
  • Steve Duff, Executive Director, The Big I (Independent Insurance Agents Association)
  • Mary Ellis, Executive Director, Builders Association of Greater Lafayette
  • Chris Fisher, Executive Director, Financial Services Academy, Indiana Bankers Association
  • Trevor Foughty, Vice President of Public Affairs, Heartland BioWorks, Advanced Research Institute
  • Brooke Friedberg, Talent Director, OrthoWorx Indiana
  • Larry Fuesler, Assistant Director of Talent Development, Southern Indiana Education Center (SIEC)
  • Gabe Galvan, Director of ABC Construction Youth Apprenticeship, Associated Builders & Contractors, IN/KY
  • Libby Gardner, Independent Insurance Agent of Indiana (PIA)
  • Chuck Gillespie, Executive Director, Indiana PHCC
  • Ting Gootee, President & CEO, TechPoint
  • Sandy Gray, State Executive Director, NAIFA
  • Lyndsey Grayson, Director of Operations, BioCrossroads
  • Mitch Hobson, Workforce Development Lead, Applied Research Institute (ARI)
  • Leonard Hoops, President & CEO, Visit Indy
  • Andrew Kossack, Executive Vice President, Partnerships and General Counsel, ARI
  • Jacqueline Kronk, Chief Strategy Officer, Office of the Indiana Secretary of Education
  • Carrie Lambert, Executive Director, Indiana Tourism Association
  • Rod Lasley, Chief Operating Officer, Indiana Bankers Association
  • Gus Linde, CEO, Eastern Indiana Works (EIW)
  • Michi McClaine, Vice President of Talent Development, Regional Opportunity Initiatives
  • PJ McGrew, Senior Vice President of Talent Strategy and Programming, Conexus Indiana
  • Matt Mindrum, President & CEO, Indy Chamber
  • Cheryl Morphew, Director of Economic Development, City of Crawfordsville
  • Brad Rhorer, President & CEO, Ascend Indiana
  • Tony Robinson, MAPP Membership Director, MAPP Association
  • Julia Saltsgaver, Executive Director, Quality Connections
  • Vanessa Green Sinders, President & CEO, Indiana Chamber of Commerce
  • Jay Styles, Senior VP, Partnerships and Talent Connection, EmployIndy
  • Patrick Talty, President, Indiana Sports Corp
  • Amber Van Til, President & CEO, Indiana Bankers Association
  • Bob Vitoux, President & CEO, OrthoWorx Indiana
  • Tony Waterson, President & CEO, Southern Indiana Works (SIW)
  • Rick Wajda, CEO, Indiana Builders Association
  • Holly Williams-Lambert, Commissioner, Indiana Department of Insurance
  • Marty Wood, President, Insurance Institute of Indiana
  • Vince Wong, President & CEO, BioCrossroads
  • Kobi Wright, Chief Legal Officer and Business Operations Director, Capital Improvement Board of Managers of Marion County
  • Blaine Zimmerman, Chief Talent and Marketing Officer, Indy Chamber

Committee Staffing

  • Alex Maggos, Director of Consulting, Ascend Indiana

Co-Chairs

  • Dan Funston, Superintendent, Concord Community Schools
  • Kent Kramer, President & CEO, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana

Districts or Charter School Network Members

  • Andy Allen, High School Principal, Batesville Community School Corporation
  • Jennifer Barrett, Director of Teaching & Learning, Richland-Bean Blossom 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
  • Brian Disney, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Catholic Schools Archdiocese of Indianapolis
  • 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, Concord Community Schools
  • Paul Ketcham, Superintendent, Batesville Community School Corporation
  • Robert McDermott, Assistant Superintendent, Duneland School Corporation
  • Josiah Parker, High School Assistant Principal, Penn-Harris-Madison 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
  • Michele Riise, Assistant Superintendent of Academics, School City of Hammond
  • Kerchell Rolling, K-12 Director, School City of Hammond
  • Byron Sanders, Superintendent, Baugo Community Schools
  • Dr. Jerry Sanders, Superintendent, Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation
  • Emily Tracy, Superintendent, Brown County Schools
  • Dr. Keeanna Warren, CEO, Purdue Polytechnic High Schools
  • B.J. Watts, OptIN Executive Director, Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation

State and Intermediary Partners

  • Claire Berger, Regional Director, Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship, Indiana Department of Workforce Development
  • Scott Bess, President & CEO, Indiana Charter Innovation Center
  • Beth Bray, Program Officer, Education Program, Walton Family Foundation
  • Chris Brunson, Associate Executive Director, Indiana Non-Public Education Association
  • Judy Bueckert, Executive Director, Southern Indiana Education Center (SIEC)
  • Matt Butler, Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief Academic Officer, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
  • Erika Seydel Cheney, VP, K-12, Career-Connected Learning, EmployIndy
  • Michelle Clarke, Director of Student, School, and Family Engagement, Indiana Department of Education
  • Lisa Deck, Program Manager of Education Workforce, IN-MaC, Purdue University
  • Brittany Dougherty, VP of Research & Strategy, Southern Indiana Works
  • Nick Duvall, President and CEO, TeenWorks
  • Park Ginder, Executive Director, Grow Allen
  • Patrick Haney, Executive Director, East Central Education Center
  • Sarah Koontz, Director of CareerWise Youth Apprenticeships, CareerWise Elkhart County
  • Dr. Tracy Lorey, Deputy Secretary of Education, Indiana Department of Education
  • Dr. Katie Lash, VP for K-14 and Strategic Initiatives, Ivy Tech Community College
  • Sara Nicodemus, CTE Director, Central Indiana Career & Technical Education Co-Op
  • Steve Rogers, CTE Director, Walker Career Center
  • Sam Rourke, Assistant Commissioner for Career and Technical Education, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
  • Summer Runyan, Director of Career Coaching, Horizon Education Alliance
  • Sally Sydshoev, Executive Director, Institute of Workforce Excellence, Indiana Chamber of Commerce
  • Jim Walmsley, Director, Impact Institute

Committee Staffing

  • Alex Maggos, Director of Consulting, Ascend Indiana

Co-Chairs

  • Representative Bob Behning, Chair, House Education Committee, Indiana House District 91
  • Senator Jeff Raatz, Chair, Education and Career Development Committee, Indiana Senate District 27

Representatives/Senators

  • Senator Andrea Hunley, Indiana Senate District 46
  • Representative Julie McGuire, Indiana House District 93
  • Representative Vernon Smith, Indiana House District 14

State, Corporate and Intermediary Partners

  • Susan Brock-Williams, Associate Vice President, State Government Affairs, Eli Lilly & 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, Chief Strategy Officer & Chief of Staff, Indy Chamber
  • Todd Hurst, Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Impact, Indiana Chamber of Commerce
  • Danny Kelley, Policy Director, Indiana House Republicans
  • Marie Mackintosh, President & CEO, EmployIndy
  • Tina Peterson, President & CEO, Regional Opportunity Initiative
  • Betsy Wiley, President & CEO, Hoosiers for Quality Education

Committee Staffing

  • Alex Maggos, Director of Consulting, Ascend Indiana

Co-Chairs

  • Kenith Britt, COO & Chancellor, Marian University
  • Sue Ellspermann, President, Ivy Tech Community College

Higher Education Institutions

  • Melissa Beckwith, Chief Strategy Officer, Butler University
  • Daniel Castro-Lacouture, Dean, Purdue Polytechnic Institute
  • Molly Dodge, Senior VP, Workforce and Careers, Ivy Tech Community College
  • Julius Edwards, VP, Business, Logistics & Supply Chain, Ivy Tech Community College
  • John Gipson, Chief of Staff to the Provost and Associate Vice President for Academic Operations, Purdue University
  • Teresa Hess, AVP of Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning, 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
  • Kimberly Mau, Assistant Vice President for Nursing, Ivy Tech Community College
  • Leah Nellis, PhD, 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
  • Rahul Shrivastav, Provost and Executive Vice President, Indiana University
  • Gary Steffen, Director of the Polytechnic School & Associate Professor of CEIT, Purdue University Fort Wayne

Industry Representative

  • Michael Schroyer, RN, MSN, FACHE, President, Baptist Health Floyd

State and Intermediary Partners

  • Dr. Michelle Ashcraft, Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief Program Officer, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
  • Todd Hurst, Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Impact, Indiana Chamber of Commerce
  • Sarah Metzler, President & CEO, Horizon Education Alliance
  • Betsy Revell, Sr. Vice President, Career-Connected Learning, EmployIndy

Committee Staffing

  • Alex Maggos, Director of Consulting, Ascend Indiana

Career Advising

  • Representative Bob Behning, Chair, House Education Committee, Indiana House District 91
  • Scott Bess, President & CEO, Indiana Charter Innovation Center
  • Aaron Black, Superintendent, Liberty-Perry Community Schools
  • Chris Brunner, AM Region Talent Strategy and Marketing Manager – Human Capital, Hitachi Astemo Greenfield, LLC
  • Chris Brunson, Associate Executive Director, Indiana Non-Public Education Association
  • Judy Bueckert, Executive Director, Southern Indiana Education Center (SIEC)
  • Dr. Jeff Butts, Superintendent, MSD Wayne Township
  • Erika Seydel Cheney, VP, K-12, Career-Connected Learning, EmployIndy
  • Michelle Clarke, Director of Student, School, and Family Engagement, Indiana Department of Education
  • Karly Cope, Vice President, Talent Management, Community Health Network
  • Nick Duvall, President and CEO, TeenWorks
  • Laurent Ellenrieder, Head Manufacturing Engineering, Medartis
  • Claire Fiddian-Green, President & CEO, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation
  • Jody French, Jr./Sr. High School Principal, Perry Central Community Schools
  • Dan Funston, Superintendent, Concord Community Schools
  • Patrick Haney, Executive Director, East Central Education Center
  • Greg Harrell, Assistant Commissioner for Public Policy & Strategic Partnerships, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
  • Dr. David Hoffert, Superintendent, Warsaw Community Schools
  • Miranda Hutcheson, Director of Career & Technical Education, Greater Lafayette Career Academy
  • Paul Ketcham, Superintendent, Batesville Community School Corporation
  • Sarah Koontz, Director of CareerWise Youth Apprenticeships, CareerWise Elkhart County
  • Bill Kovach, Executive Director, Central Nine Career Center
  • Jacqueline Kronk, Chief Strategy Officer, Office of the Indiana Secretary of Education
  • Sarah Long, Human Resources Coordinator, Arcamed
  • Christi McBride, Director, Hoosier Hills Career Center
  • PJ McGrew, Senior Vice President of Talent Strategy and Programming, Conexus Indiana
  • Craig Newby, CTE Director, Wabash River Career & Technical Education
  • Kami Nielsen, Senior Program Officer, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation
  • Dr. George Philhower, Superintendent, Eastern Hancock Community School Corporation
  • Senator Jeff Raatz, Chair, Education and Career Development Committee, Indiana Senate District 27
  • Betsy Revell, Sr. Vice President, Career-Connected Learning, EmployIndy
  • Summer Runyan, Director of Career Coaching, Horizon Education Alliance
  • Michael Schroyer, RN, MSN, FACHE, President, Baptist Health Floyd
  • Sally Sydshoev, Executive Director, Institute of Workforce Excellence, Indiana Chamber of Commerce
  • Tony Waterson, President & CEO, Southern Indiana Works (SIW)

Qualifications Framework

  • Dr. Michelle Ashcraft, Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief Program Officer, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
  • Matt Butler, Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief Academic Officer, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
  • Representative Bob Behning, Chair, House Education Committee, Indiana House District 91
  • David Buzye, Director of Policy and Special Programs, Indiana Department of Education
  • Trevor Foughty, Vice President of Public Affairs, Heartland Bioworks, Applied Research Institute
  • Ryan Gensler, Executive Vice President, Careerwise USA
  • Todd Hurst, Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Impact, Indiana Chamber of Commerce
  • Dr. Tracy Lorey, Deputy Secretary of Education, Indiana Department of Education
  • Marie Mackintosh, President & CEO, EmployIndy
  • Leah Nellis, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Special Projects; Strategic Lead for Academic Initiatives, IU Office of School Partnerships; Professor of Education, Indiana University
  • Senator Jeff Raatz, Chair, Education and Career Development Committee, Indiana Senate District 27
  • Rahul Shrivastav, Provost and Executive Vice President, Indiana University
  • Erin Silver, Strategic Advisor, CareerWise USA

Tech Platform

  • Tony Denhart, Executive Vice President of Talent and Workforce, Indiana Economic Development Corporation
  • Josh Garrison, Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief of Staff, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
  • Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education
  • Melina Kennedy, CEO, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership
  • Ann Lathrop, Chief Strategy Officer, Indiana Economic Development Corporation
  • Robert Paglia, EVP & Chief Operating Officer, Indiana Economic Development Corporation
  • Brad Rhorer, President & CEO, Ascend Indiana
  • Sally Saydshoev, Executive Director, Institute for Workforce Excellence, Indiana Chamber of Commerce
  • Vanessa Green Sinders, President & CEO, Indiana Chamber of Commerce

Note: Member roster current as of March 21, 2025.

iLAB LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION

Leading the iLab are Co-chairs David Becker, chairman and CEO of First Internet Bank, and Claire Fiddian-Green, president & CEO of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation

Because of the Fairbanks Foundation’s years-long investment to research youth apprenticeship and build a system in Indiana, Fiddian-Green and other members of the Foundation’s staff are leading the initial phases of the plan’s implementation and overseeing the work of all iLab committees in close partnership with Ascend Indiana, the talent and workforce development initiative of Central Indiana Corporate Partnership

Ascend Indiana and the Indy Chamber are providing ongoing project management and other administrative support in support of iLab efforts.

Members of the iLab’s Industry Committee visited Switzerland in March 2024 to learn about apprenticeships in the healthcare and life sciences industries.

RESOURCES

Below, you’ll find additional information about CEMETS iLab Indiana and youth apprenticeship.

In January 2024, the iLab announced the formation of the coalition and their vision to build a new statewide education and training system.

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In September 2024, the iLab released their strategic plan for building a new statewide professional education and training system.

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In November 2024, the Fairbanks Foundation awarded over $1 million in grants to start building Indiana’s new apprenticeship pathway.

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Education systems expert Katie Caves, PhD, explains the Swiss system and the lessons that are helping inform the creation of Indiana’s new professional education and training pathway.

WATCH

Indiana currently has seven youth apprenticeship pilot sites in operation across the state, serving 100 employers, 40 schools, and 450 students across 13 counties. Two additional pilot sites are in the planning stages.

SEE THE MAP

In 2016, Hoosier leaders began laying the groundwork for a new pathway that combines classroom education with on-the-job training. Read more about the years of work that have gone into studying, planning, and building this new pathway.

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