Indiana Department of Workforce Development

Sign up today and Thursday, December 5 you can give us a piece of your mind. Join us for the Early Childhood Education Town Hall hosted by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. This event will highlight data trends in early education, offering employers valuable insights and an opportunity to validate industry information. Your participation will help shape the future of early childhood education.

Water and wastewater operations specialists play an important role in providing communities with clean drinking water. However, in an industry that expects to see nearly 50 percent of its professionals retiring in the next five years, aggressive steps must be taken to ensure the next generation of skilled workers are properly trained and in place. The Alliance of Indiana Rural Water (AIRW) in Franklin, Indiana is doing its part through an “Earn While You Learn” Apprenticeship Program that provides on-the-job training, technical instruction, state licensing, and nationally recognized credentials from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship. Its two-year program requires apprentices to complete at least 288 hours of technical training and 4,000 hours of paid on-the-job training, which prepares those individuals for careers as systems operations specialists in the water and wastewater industry. “The idea (for apprenticeships) came about in 2015, approximately three years before it was approved,” said Kelly Gardner, Apprenticeship Program Coordinator with the AIRW. “We were the first state to get apprenticeships and one of the first two states to have program graduates. We had our first graduate in 2019.” READ: https://lnkd.in/gwqJYEYA

Indiana Plan Provides Pre-Apprenticeship Exposure to Construction Trade Careers During his U.S. presidential term throughout most of the 1960s, Lyndon B. Johnson worked hard to ensure individuals pursuing employment opportunities, no matter the field, would not be discriminated against based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. In fact, as a way of protecting jobseekers, Johnson issued Executive Order 11246 in 1965, requiring federal contractors to take proactive steps toward ensuring equal employment opportunities for everyone. Indiana Plan, which strives to introduce minorities, women and disadvantaged workers to construction industry-related career paths, was established as a result of Johnson’s Executive Order and has been in continuous operation since 1970. “We still do some of the same things now that we did in the early days,” said Devon Doss, Executive Director, Indiana Plan. “We’re based in the community, so we go out to places like schools, churches, and correctional facilities to talk about career opportunities in construction and the trades.” READ: https://lnkd.in/dYTvM-it

Empowering Women Through Apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are often associated with traditional trade industries such as construction and manufacturing, but innovative programs are reshaping the landscape through engagement with new sectors such as healthcare, education, and human services. A pioneering example is the Ivy Tech Community College Teaching Apprenticeship Program, established in partnership with Kokomo School Corporation and several school districts in Indiana. Ivy Tech’s initiative creates a pathway for paraprofessionals – 93% of which are women, many of whom are mothers trying to balance work, family, and study – to earn their teaching licenses while continuing to work and support their communities. “This is a pathway worth pursuing,” Kaser said. “Especially if you’re passionate about teaching and are already embedded in the school community.” Funding and support aren’t always easy to secure, but there are resources available. Don’t hesitate to seek out programs like these and ask for guidance. Forming bonds with other participants is invaluable. The cohort model helps apprentices stay motivated and provides a network of support, crucial for anyone juggling work, school, and family. “We’re not just getting teachers,” Capozzoli emphasized. “We’re getting individuals who love our schools and communities and are invested in their success. They are ready to grow and give back even more to the students they already serve.” READ: https://lnkd.in/g3b-hMkb

A proclamation is an official declaration giving status and support. We proudly display our proclamation from Governor Holcomb in support of National Apprenticeship Week. In addition, we recognize the support from President Biden on the national level. The recognition of the work done by the DWD Office of Work Based Learn and Apprenticeship is important. However, it is the work that contributes to the economic betterment of Hoosiers that matters most to us. Check out the White House Proclamation here: https://lnkd.in/gvhkrKuM

Hot off the press! The Future of Workforce: Pre-Apprenticeships Enhances Local 166 as Students Learn Life Skills. The United Association of Plumbers, Steamfitters, HVAC Service Technicians Local 166 out of Fort Wayne, Indiana is thriving. Local 166 heads into its second year of offering pre-apprenticeship programs to the youth of one of the14 Northeast Indiana counties it oversees. Manager Briana Murawski has a front row seat, watching the newly minted pipeline of future journeymen and Journeywoman. While the programming is new to Local 166, it was years in the making. “This is our second year with the Pre-Apprenticeship Program,” Murawski said. “This Department of Labor and Department of Workforce Development approved program is offered to High School students from Carroll and Homestead High School who are in the Facility Maintenance Program. Our partnership with Northwest and Southwest Allen County schools was a partnership that took years in the making. Last year we had one class, that included 10 students from Carroll and 10 students from Homestead. This year the Industrial Maintenance class consists of two classes – 20 students in the morning from Homestead and 20 students in the afternoon from Carroll. The students are chosen by their respective school counselors and can be Juniors or Seniors. Those who are juniors can continue the pre-apprenticeship as a Senior by participating in our internship program.” Read: https://lnkd.in/gpQpyfy4

AI and Workforce? Read more from Route Fifty: https://lnkd.in/gtJXCTEk Unemployment is a complex and multifaceted problem. And it’s one that big information gaps are contributing to. Many jobseekers simply don't have access to the context needed to make well-informed decisions for their lives and careers. For example, imagine for a moment that you are a 45-year-old office administrator with a high school education who was recently laid off. You have 20 years of experience in office management and certifications in Microsoft Office and QuickBooks. However, administrative jobs in your area are decreasing due to automation and remote work trends. You courageously decide to consider a career change. But how do you figure out the occupations in which your skills and certification will transfer? What additional training and certifications will you need? And will that job still exist in 10 years? This is information jobseekers almost never have. But while the unemployed workforce doesn’t have access to this information, states do.?

It's officially National Apprenticeship Week ?? Each day has a theme this week to call out various sectors of apprenticeships. In addition to showcasing the good apprenticeships can bring to a business and employee we're celebrating 10 years of National Apprenticeship Week. There are a few scheduled events happening around the state this week and it's not too late to join in. Don't see your event? Leave a comment below! Title: Apprenticeship Accelerator: Advancing Women in the Workforce When: Monday, November 18, 2024 Where: Ivy Tech Community College Lawrenceburg, Riverfront Campus 50 Walnut Street, Lawrenceburg, IN 37025 What: Celebrate the 10th anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week with us, bringing together stakeholders, industry leaders, educators, and workforce organizations. We'll explore the benefits of integrating Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs across sectors like manufacturing, supply chain, hospitality, and early childhood education (ECE). Title: Construction & Skilled Trades Day When: Tuesday November 19, 2024, 8am – 2pm Where: Lake County Fairgrounds What: Expose young people to career paths in skilled trades, hands on activities and mock worksites – Open to students, registration required https://lnkd.in/g98umMR8 Title: CNA Apprenticeship Signing Ceremony When: Tuesday November 19, 2024, 2 p.m. Where: Northview Health and Living 1235 West Cross Street Anderson, IN What: Please join Indiana Region 5 Workforce Board in celebrating the 2024 CAN Apprenticeship Commits for a special recognition ceremony. Title: NAW Registered Apprenticeship Accelerator When: Thursday November 21, 9am – 12pm Where: Ivy Tech Kokomo, Hingst Hall What: Discussion Panel on Registered Apprenticeship, includes breakfast and campus tour Title: Apprenticeship Showcase in Region 8 When: Thursday, November 21, 2024 from 2:00 pm-4:00 pm. Where: The Stonegate Skilled Trades Showcase at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds Expo Hall. What: Stonegate, Duke Energy, Built to Succeed, Ivy Tech, and WorkOne South Central host the public for a hands -on experience. All of the construction trades will be represented with some local employers participating, as well. Title: Apprenticeship Fair When: Friday, November 22, 2024, 8:30 AM Where: The Steel Dynamics, Inc. Keith E. Busse Technology Center 3701 Dean Dr. Fort Wayne, IN 46835 What: Apprenticeship Fair to learn about Apprenticeship Opportunities Title: Apprenticeship Lunch and Learn When: Friday November 22, 2024 11 am – 2 pm Where: ECESC, 2601 S. 14th Street, New Castle, IN 47362 What: Join EIW, ECESC, and industry partners for a “Lunch and Learn” at the East Central Education Service Center to learn about youth apprenticeship opportunities in your area.

Don't forget, hire the vet! This was DWD Veteran Services reminder from the 1960's and it is still our reminder today. Thank you to all our veterans. There is help available today, learn more: https://lnkd.in/d_qYFqqX

Today we highlight STEM in Workforce! Take a look at the INDemand Job listings below to see what STEM career could await you. The market is hot. The options are nearly endless. If you need help starting your career visit us online at https://dwd.in.gov/ or your local WorkOne. #DWD #Workforce