Expanding Youth Apprenticeships in Indiana: A New Approach to Workforce Development

Strategic Insights -

Ascend Indiana, a talent and workforce development initiative, is expanding its efforts to provide high school students with new college and career apprenticeship pathways. The organization has received $1 million in support from Bloomberg Philanthropies to strengthen and grow youth apprenticeship programs across the state. This investment will enable Ascend to work with local partners, including the Governor's Workforce Cabinet, the Indiana Department of Education, and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, to develop a coordinated education and employer ecosystem. The goal is to provide all students with access to strong skills that align with employer needs, blurring the lines between K-12, higher education, and the workforce.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ascend Indiana, in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, will distribute $350,000 in funding to support regional youth apprenticeship pilots, including the Modern Apprenticeship program launched in 2020.
  • The Modern Apprenticeship program is a paid two- to three-year work-based learning experience with local employers, providing students with a high school diploma, college credits, relevant credentials, and professional experience.
  • The program aims to prepare students for in-demand industries, including healthcare, information technology, and advanced manufacturing, with a focus on emerging trends and skills.
  • Ascend's model will work alongside partners to build a shared vision and align on next steps, engaging employers, educators, youth, and parents throughout the state.
  • The initiative will contribute to the building of a statewide system, with regional youth apprenticeship pilots like Modern Apprenticeship and Horizon Education Alliance (HEA) in Elkhart, Ind. playing a crucial role.
  • Ascend Indiana is inviting organizations around the state to apply for planning subgrants, with a focus on accelerating new pilot efforts in diverse communities.
  • The investment from Bloomberg Philanthropies will help scale market-driven youth apprenticeship initiatives, connecting students with top employers and creating economically competitive regions.

Statistics:

  • $1 million: the amount of funding received by Ascend Indiana from Bloomberg Philanthropies.
  • $350,000: the amount of funding being distributed to support regional youth apprenticeship pilots.
  • $1.6 billion: the amount of funding distributed by Bloomberg Philanthropies in 2020.
  • 26 students: the number of high school students from five Indianapolis-area township school districts and charter schools who will be hired by employers in the Modern Apprenticeship program this summer.
  • 16 employers: the number of employers representing a variety of high-demand industries, including healthcare, information technology, and advanced manufacturing.
  • 2-3 years: the duration of the Modern Apprenticeship program.

Sources:

  • New America: Ascend Indiana is expanding its efforts to provide high school students with new high-quality college and career apprenticeship pathways.
  • Bloomberg Philanthropies: The organization invested $1 million in support of Ascend Indiana's efforts to strengthen and grow youth apprenticeship programs across the state.
  • Ascend Indiana: The organization's vision is for Indiana to be a place of economic opportunity for all, with a focus on connecting job seekers to career opportunities and catalyzing transformative employer and education partnerships.
  • Bloomberg Philanthropies: The organization is committed to creating better, longer lives for the greatest number of people, with a focus on five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health.