In partnership with National Skills Coalition, the Skills2Compete-Indiana campaign seeks to raise awareness of the need to train Indiana residents for middle-skill jobs, which require more than high school but not a four-year degree. These jobs make up the largest portion of Indiana's labor market. Prior to the recession, Indiana was already experiencing shortages of middle-skill workers in crucial industries. With high unemployment throughout the nation, this is precisely the time to ensure Indiana is training the middle-skill workforce that will be critical to economic recovery and long-term success.

Key Partners

State Lead
Indiana Institute for Working Families, a program of Indiana Community Action Association

Core Advisors
Conexus
JobSource
Indiana Department of Workforce Development
Indiana Chamber of Commerce
Indiana State AFL-CIO
Ivy Tech Community College
Labor Institute for Training
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
Ready Indiana
Training, Inc.

Major Efforts

In April 2011, helped advance Senate Resolution 85 requiring the State Workforce Investment Board, Division of Adult Education, and Office of Career and Technical Education to assess industry-recognized standards for middle-skill industry clusters to ensure that education and training programs meet these standards. With several co-sponsors, the Resolution was unanimously passed by the Senate Education and Career Development Committee and passage by the full Senate is expected. Read more.

In December 2010, released a new policy platform with recommendations for moving the Indiana closer towards realizing its full economic potential and addressing the realities of the 21st-Century economy and workforce.

With National Skills Coalition, released Indiana’s Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs in October 2010, generating widespread media coverage.

Publications and Resources

Report:

A Policy Strategy for Meeting the Demands of the 21st-Century Economy
National Skills Coalition and Indiana Institute for Working Families
December 2010

Download Platform

 

 

Indiana's Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs
National Skills Coalition and Indiana Institute for Working Families
October 2010

Report | Press Release

 

 

Audio Briefings:

Listen to audio clips from a press conference about the release of Indiana's Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs report.

  • Introduction and Report Overview | Andrea Ray, Regional Field Director, National Skills Coalition
  • Campaign Lead | Sarah Downing, Research & Policy Analyst, Indiana Institute for Working Families, a program of Indiana Community Action Association
  • Employer Perspective | Jennifer Olson, Coordinator, Employee Education and Development, The Learning Alliance, Clarian Health Partners

Media List

Download complete media coverage clippings report

 

 

  • Skills2Compete
  • In the News
  • In the States
  • Audio Updates