Empowering Indiana's Modern Workforce

Bridging Indiana's Talent Gap

Indiana’s growth in emerging industries brings opportunities – for Hoosiers and employers alike. Developing the talent to fuel these industries is a collective effort.

$ 28.7 Billion

of investment is coming to the state from companies committed to locate or expand in Indiana.

Source: Indiana Economic Development Corporation

72%

of jobs in the U.S. will require education or
training beyond high school by 2031.

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce

63%

Indiana’s labor force
participation rate.

Source: Indiana Department of Workforce Development, September 2024

72%

Jobs in U.S. that will require education of
training beyond high school by 2031.

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce

63%

Indiana’s labor force
participation rate.

Source: Indiana Department of Workforce Development, September 2024

Unlocking Indiana's Full Potential

Ascend is the link across Indiana’s labor market—connecting and creating solutions to ensure all Hoosiers and all employers are equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving marketplace.

K-12 and Postsecondary Students and Families

Educators and Academic Influencers

Industry and Employer Partners

Nonprofit Organizations

Government and Policymakers

The Ascend Network

Our innovative job matching platform connects job seekers with good and promising careers while helping Indiana employers find and hire qualified candidates.

Guiding Statewide Progress

Connect

Connections come in all forms - whether we are connecting talent to careers or connecting the dots for the entire workforce ecosystem.

Connect

Workforce Strategies

With input from employers, educators, job seekers and more, we build and deliver solutions that serve the entire ecosystem at scale.

Workforce Strategies

Data Insights

Our experience with employers, job seekers and others gives us unprecedented insights that we share with our stakeholders to make informed decisions.

Data Insights

Impact in Action

Discover our impact. See how Ascend is paving the way and driving success for Indiana job seekers and the statewide labor market.

Andy Cassler, The Heritage Group

The Heritage Group Offers Work-Based Learning Opportunities for Early-In-Career Growth

The Heritage Group is building a pipeline of STEM talent through paid work-based learning programs, school-year internships, science camps and long-term educational investments that empower high school students and employees’ children to explore professional growth and career paths.

Fort Wayne Community Schools Partner with Parkview Health to Give Students Hands-on Experience in Healthcare

Fort Wayne Community Schools partnered with Parkview Health to provide middle school students hands-on healthcare career exploration through pilot programs, mobile simulations and career fairs, helping them make informed decisions about their future paths.

Chad Martin, Indiana Pork Director of Strategic Outreach

Indiana Agriculture Industry Seeks to Support Youth Internships in Ag

Indiana Pork partnered with Ascend Indiana to create work-based learning opportunities for high school students in central Indiana. Guided by a statewide youth survey, the program connects students—many new to agriculture—with internships that offer hands-on experience, mentorship, and career exploration.

Michael Solliday, Wolverine Enterprises CEO, 2022-2023

Leading the Way

At Wolverine Enterprises, Michael Solliday sharpened his business skills in mentoring, communication and succession planning. He also learned what he did and didn’t like to do.

Cameron Weber, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Student

Making a Difference Through a Career in Agriculture

Cameron Weber, a Rose-Hulman senior, found their passion for impact through agbiosciences with AgriNovus Indiana’s Field Atlas. Now a Field Atlas ambassador, they help students see agriculture as a powerful, overlooked career path.