Indiana Career Council

Indiana Career Council
Name	Indiana Career Council
Formation	2013
Type	Advisory board
Headquarters	Indianapolis, Indiana
Region served	Indiana
Leader title	Chair
Leader name	(varies)

Indiana Career Council The Indiana Career Council is a state-level advisory body convened to coordinate workforce development, career pathways, and workforce-related policy across Indiana. It advises executive leaders, legislators, and state agencies on aligning education systems, employer needs, and labor market demands. The Council connects secondary and postsecondary institutions with industry partners, foundations, and federal programs to advance occupational training and credentialing.

Overview

The Council functions as a coordinating entity between the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, the Indiana Department of Education, and the Commission for Higher Education, while interfacing with federal actors such as the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education. It addresses sector strategies used by employers like Eli Lilly and Company, Cummins, Simon Property Group, Anthem Inc. and regional economic development organizations including Indiana Economic Development Corporation and Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce. The Council also engages philanthropic partners such as the Lumina Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and local entities like the Irvington Community Council.

History

Established during a period of statewide policy reform, the Council emerged amid initiatives tied to governors including Mike Pence and Eric Holcomb and legislative actions in the Indiana General Assembly. Its formation responded to federal priorities from administrations like Barack Obama and Donald Trump emphasizing career pathways and apprenticeship expansion. Early efforts referenced models from states such as Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee and alignment with national programs including Career and Technical Education (CTE), Registered Apprenticeship, and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act strategies promoted by congressional leaders.

Structure and Membership

The Council comprises appointees from the governor, leaders from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, the Indiana Department of Education, the Commission for Higher Education, and representatives from community colleges like Ivy Tech Community College, public universities such as Purdue University, Indiana University Bloomington, and private institutions including Butler University and DePauw University. Membership includes labor representatives from unions such as the United Auto Workers and business leaders from firms like Rolls-Royce North America. Ex officio seats are held by directors of agencies including the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration and the Indiana Office of Management and Budget. Advisory subcommittees draw stakeholders from trade associations like the Indiana Manufacturers Association and nonprofit organizations such as Jobs for America's Graduates.

Roles and Functions

The Council recommends competency frameworks, occupational credential lists, and sector partnerships for high-demand industries like manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, and logistics, working with employers including Cook Medical, Roche Diagnostics, Cummins Power Generation, and Eli Lilly and Company. It evaluates data from sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development labor projections, and labor market information systems used by Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act grantees. The Council advises on apprenticeship standards tied to intermediaries such as Registered Apprenticeship sponsors, endorses career academies linked to districts like Indianapolis Public Schools and Harrison Township School District, and supports credential attainment efforts exemplified by collaborations with National Association of Manufacturers and CompTIA.

Programs and Initiatives

Initiatives often reflect models like Career Pathways, sector partnership pilots, and work-based learning expansions including paid internships, pre-apprenticeships, and youth employment programs developed in partnership with entities such as Jobs for the Future and Year Up. The Council has promoted credentialing aligned to industry certifications from organizations like American Welding Society, National Institute for Metalworking Skills, and healthcare certifiers such as American Heart Association. Pilot projects have been undertaken with regional workforce boards patterned after Workforce Investment Boards and local economic development authorities, and draw on technical assistance from national partners including National Governors Association and Aspen Institute.

Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholder engagement spans employers, education providers, labor groups, philanthropic funders, and federal agencies. The Council convenes roundtables with corporate partners including Bosch, Eli Lilly and Company, and Cummins, collaborates with intermediary organizations such as Indiana Youth Institute and Goodwill Industries International, and coordinates with K–12 consortia like Indiana Association of School Principals and higher education associations exemplified by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. It also engages regional development entities like Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership and Region 6 Workforce Board to tailor strategies to local labor markets and demographic trends tracked by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Funding and Accountability

Funding streams for Council-supported activities include state appropriations authorized by the Indiana General Assembly, federal grants administered through the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Education, and private grants from organizations such as the Lumina Foundation and corporate philanthropy from firms like Eli Lilly and Company. Accountability mechanisms include performance metrics tied to credential attainment, job placement rates reported to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, and audits or evaluations by oversight bodies such as the Indiana State Board of Accounts and legislative committees in the Indiana General Assembly. The Council's recommendations inform budgetary and policy decisions affecting workforce investments, apprenticeships, and postsecondary alignment across the state.

Category:Indiana organizations