Barriers to Work-Based Learning Opportunities in Indiana: Employer Perspective

Indiana employers are interested in work-based learning opportunities but face significant barriers, including staff capacity, liability concerns, and logistics for youth under 18. Despite their willingness to participate, only 67% of employers have trained a youth employee, compared to 73% for adults. Smaller employers are less likely to have attempted work-based learning, and staff capacity is the top barrier to participation.

Key Takeaways:

85% of employers support work-based learning for both student and adult learners, but only 67% have trained a youth employee, compared to 73% for adults.
Staff capacity is the top barrier to participation, with 56% of employers citing it as a major concern.
Smaller employers (less than 50 employees) are less likely to have attempted work-based learning, with 73% citing staff capacity as a barrier.
Liability concerns and logistics for youth under 18 are also significant barriers, with 45% and 37% of employers citing them as major concerns, respectively.
Most employers report a capacity to serve between one to five students or trainees per year, regardless of industry or company size.
Only very large employers (over 1,000 employees) report being able to host more than 11 such workers.
Employers estimate needing incentives between $1,000 and $5,000 per trainee for adults and $500-$2,499 for youth.
Construction industries estimate needing more cost offsets compared to educational or health care industries.

Statistics:

85% of employers support work-based learning for both student and adult learners.
Only 67% of employers have trained a youth employee, compared to 73% for adults.
56% of employers cited staff capacity as the top barrier to participation.
73% of smaller employers (less than 50 employees) cited staff capacity as a barrier.
Most employers report a capacity to serve between one to five students or trainees per year.
Only very large employers (over 1,000 employees) report being able to host more than 11 such workers.
Employers estimate needing incentives between $1,000 and $5,000 per trainee for adults and $500-$2,499 for youth.
80% of employers said they would participate more in work-based learning opportunities if fewer barriers were removed.

Sources:

The 26-page report by the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute, "Employer Perspectives Report" (PDF)
The Indiana Capital Chronicle, "Indiana secures $6.25 million to advance apprenticeships"
The Indiana Capital Chronicle, "Education officials green light high school diploma overhaul"
The Indiana Capital Chronicle, "Get the morning headlines. Subscribe"