Welcome to the CCT Newsletter

A Message From Blair:

Welcome to the Career Connections and Talent newsletter! As we’ve had the opportunity to meet so many fantastic leaders across the state who are doing great work, we wanted to keep our conversations going and create the opportunity to share more of what we’re learning. Our goal is to highlight creative talent-related initiatives, connect leaders to one another across the state, share upcoming events in which you may want to participate, offer relevant updates from across State government, including the Governor's Workforce Cabinet, and any other pertinent information. We welcome any feedback and are looking forward to the opportunity to continue collaborating with you!

A Message From the Editor:

If you have a compelling story, new initiative or upcoming event you would like us to feature, please email our Communications Coordinator, Amber Robinson.

Introducing 21st Century Talent Regions

21st Century Talent Regions are places that commit to using a systems approach to attract, develop and connect Hoosier talent. This initiative supports community collaboration with the ultimate goal being to increase educational attainment, raise household income and grow population.

Successful communities strive to grow and prosper, but community members often remain disconnected in spite of efforts to come together. 21st Century Talent Regions helps communities achieve local and regional goals by engaging and informing decision-makers about the gaps and surpluses that exist within their community.

This initiative has grown through partnership from the Office of Career Connections and Talent (CCT), Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and CivicLab, with data support from the Management Performance Hub (MPH).

Learn more or apply to become a 21st Century Talent Region.

Calling All Indiana Career Coaches!

Applications are currently open for the Skillful Governor’s Coaching Corps, a free professional development program in partnership with Skillful Indiana and Governor Holcomb’s Workforce Cabinet designed to strengthen and support exceptional career coaching professionals so they are better equipped to connect Hoosiers to effective training opportunities and quality jobs.

Selected participants receive in-depth skills development, one-on-one leadership coaching, and access to a network of peers and leaders in high-demand, high-wage industries. Participating coaches also form action teams to contribute their skills and experience to develop solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing Indiana’s workforce, and have the opportunity to present their recommendations to the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet for potential adoption. Learn more and apply.

Gateway to Work Shows Early Progress

Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s (FSSA) Gateway to Work program is now in its second month of being a requirement for many Healthy Indiana Plan members, and thousands of members are getting involved.

The Healthy Indiana Plan, commonly referred to as HIP, is Indiana’s signature health coverage program for non-disabled, low-income adults. Gateway to Work, as its name states, truly exists to be a gateway, connecting HIP members to professional, educational and service opportunities.

Some HIP members are required to log their activities in three categories – work, learn or serve – on the newly launched Gateway to Work website, where they can also access assessments to help them determine which opportunities best fit their skills, preferences and education as well as search databases of current job and volunteer openings.

Learn more: comprehensive FAQ about Gateway to Work.

Podcast: Today's Students, Tomorrow's Talent

Lumina Foundation, an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all, is proud to announce a new podcast. “Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Talent” features conversations with newsmakers and thought leaders in the field of education and training after high school. Hear from people working to attract, retain, and cultivate the talent needed for the 21st century by visiting the show’s webpage or subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. 

Indiana Workforce Recovery 

In February 2018, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce's Wellness Council of Indiana announced the Indiana Workforce Recovery initiative, a strategic partnership with Governor Eric Holcomb and his administration to combat the opioid epidemic.

From January through April of 2019, Indiana Workforce Recovery is hosting kickoff events in Indianapolis, Greenwood, Bloomington, Terre Haute, Lafayette and Fort Wayne to provide employers with base-level technical knowledge and community connection resources regarding workplace substance misuse.

Learn more about the Indiana Workforce Recovery program and register for an upcoming Employer Opioid Strategy event in your area:

Click to read Governor Holcomb's 2019 Next Level Agenda.

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 21 - Governor's Workforce Cabinet Meeting

March 15 - 2019 JAG State Competition

April 8 - State of Higher Education Address

April 9 - H. Kent Weldon Conference for Higher Education 

February - April
Indiana Workforce Recovery: Employer Opioid Strategy Events 
(More information below)

MEET OUR SPRING INTERNS

Victor Creed of Bloomington, IN is studying political science and is a 21st Century Scholar. He joins us during his junior year at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Victor brings valuable experience to the team from his previous internships with ROI and Ivy Tech Government Relations.

Braden Ochs of Upland, IN is studying journalism and media writing and is in his senior year at Taylor University. Braden lends his expertise as the editor for the student news team, a writing center consultant, social media manager and news writer for Taylor University’s website.

CHE & MPH UP FOR TECHPOINT MIRA AWARDS

Indiana's best in tech is announced at the 2019 TechPoint Mira Awards in Indianapolis on Saturday, April 13. Among the nominees are our state partners Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) for the Innovation of the Year award and Indiana Management Performance Hub (MPH) for the Community Champion of the Year award. Thank you for your dedication to advancing Indiana's tech community. Best of luck to both agencies!

FEBRUARY IS CTE MONTH

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) community comes together during the month of February to celebrate the programs connecting classroom learning to applicable, real-world skills.

CTE courses prepare students to be college- and career-ready by teaching transferrable core academic skills, employability skills and job-specific skills. Better yet, students can study subjects aligned with their individual interests.

Become a CTE advocate and encourage your son, daughter, niece or nephew to explore the 79+ career pathways CTE offers. Visit https://bit.ly/2SxoW5j to learn more about CTE and how you can spark a child's career curiosity.

Did you miss Governor Holcomb's State of the State address? Watch it here.