It’s #NAW2024, and we would like to take a moment to thank these organizations for their work to make new career pathways for youth possible across the state. 450 students are participating in or graduated from one of these programs. #DecadeofNAW #ApprenticeshipUSA

Ascend's Consulting Analyst, Liz Sathe, had the opportunity to moderate a panel discussion spotlighting different Future Educator Pathway Programs across the state last week. It was a wonderful discussion elevating the structures of each program and uncovering key lessons learned from the experiences of each organization in designing and implementing these programs for youth in their regions. Special thanks to the panelists for sharing their insights and to everyone who participated in the conversation. These discussions are vital in shaping the future of the teaching workforce and creating meaningful opportunities for young people to explore careers in education.

The Fairbanks Foundation is thrilled to have awarded two-year start-up grants to BioCrossroads and Conexus Indiana to launch industry talent associations for Indiana’s new professional education and training pathway rooted in a high school apprenticeship.     These talent associations are a critical part of ensuring Indiana’s new professional education and training pathway is employer-led, with substantial input from Hoosier educators. cc: Ascend Indiana Central Indiana Corporate Partnership Indy Chamber

Read It Again: See how the UpSkill Work & Learn modern youth apprenticeship program established by Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) is helping young adults enter college with a better sense of their passions and career aspirations.

Last week, Ascend and Cohort II of the Indiana Youth Apprenticeship Accelerator convened in Bloomington to highlight the innovative efforts driving youth apprenticeship programs in the Indiana Uplands region. The event served as a platform for sharing key lessons and best practices in employer recruitment, engagement, and support in program implementation, led by Regional Opportunity Initiatives, EmployIndy, and CareerWise USA. Thank you to Regional Opportunity Initiatives, German American, MSP Manufacturing, and PRD INC for making this event possible and showcasing the power and impact of youth apprenticeship.

We’re kicking off National Apprenticeship Week with an article from #CEMETS #iLabIndiana member George Philhower, where he reflects on his visits to Switzerland and why it matters for Hoosier students. #NAW2024 “By involving industry leaders in developing curricula and certification programs, we can ensure that the skills being taught are those that employers are actively seeking.” Read the full article: https://loom.ly/RYdn2Vc.

Inside INdiana Business: Data show that, by 2031, 72% of jobs in the United States will require training or education beyond high school. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s “State of Higher Education” report is a good reminder that we need to continue to develop programs and policies that increase the college-going rate as well as retention rate for Indiana residents. The latest CHE report shows that Indiana has a college-going rate of 53% and that only 65% of students who graduate from a public Indiana institution stay in Indiana. https://ow.ly/5Ufz50U97yQ

Last week, Ascend's Nioka Clark, Audrey Glogoza, and Rachel Davis facilitated a workshop with leaders in agriculture and the K-12 space to begin discussions around how industry, employers, and educators can partner together to bring more intentional career exploration, engagement, and experiences in the agriculture space to middle and high school students.

Happy National Apprenticeship Week (NAW)! To celebrate NAW’s 10th anniversary, the theme for #NAW2024 is “National Apprenticeship Week 2024: Celebrating 10 Years of Engagement, Expansion, and Innovation.” #DecadeofNAW #ApprenticeshipUSA

📢 Join us on Tuesday at the Q4 People Community of Practice event as we tackle one of Indiana's most pressing challenges: bridging the workforce talent gap through youth apprenticeship pathways! In collaboration with CEMETS iLab Indiana, nearly 200 leaders from across business, education, government, and non-profits have come together to build a new professional education and training pathway for Hoosier students. This ambitious strategy builds on the success of the Modern Apprenticeship Program (MAP) and six other youth apprenticeship initiatives across Indiana, impacting over 450 high school students and connecting them with 100+ employers and 40 education institutions. Dive into discussions led by: 📌 Erica Viar, Ascend Indiana 📌 Wendy Parker, EmployIndy 📌 Kim Thomas, OneAmerica Financial 📌 De'Niece Harrison-Hudson, OneAmerica Financial Together, we'll explore how Indiana is building sustainable career pathways from high school to the workforce. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage, learn, and contribute to Indiana’s future workforce development! 📅 Register today: https://shorturl.at/E0jqC #IndianaWorkforce #YouthApprenticeships #EducationToWork #BusinessEquityForIndy #WorkforceDevelopment