Ascend recently announced several milestones that highlight the organization’s growing national influence in workforce and education. From national recognition of Indiana’s intermediary model to participation in leading industry convenings, Ascend continues to elevate innovative workforce solutions and contribute to conversations shaping the future of talent development, economic mobility and systems change.

The American Institutes for Research (AIR) selected Indiana as the focus of a national case study examining how intermediaries can help scale and sustain work-based learning (WBL) opportunities. The report highlighted the critical role that Ascend and its Intermediary Learning Network partners play in connecting employers, educators and communities to expand access to high-quality WBL experiences.

Ascend’s leadership in this space was further recognized when the Strada Education Foundation selected Ascend as one of just seven organizations nationwide to participate in its Intermediary Learning Collaborative. Through this initiative, Ascend is supporting 24 intermediaries across Indiana, helping strengthen employer engagement, expand WBL opportunities and generate insights that can inform future workforce and education strategies at the state and national level.

Ascend also continues to contribute directly to national conversations. This month, members of the leadership team participated in the National Talent Collaborative Convening and the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) National Conference, joining workforce, education and policy leaders from across the country to exchange ideas, share promising practices and explore solutions to some of the nation’s most pressing talent challenges.

In November, the Ascend team will lead a session on state policy and its impact on WBL at the National Youth Apprenticeship Summit (NYAS) 2026 in Denver, Colorado. Hosted by CareerWise and New America, the Summit brings together hundreds of practitioners, policymakers, employers, educators, funders and innovators from across the country for three days of learning, collaboration and action.

“Together, these engagements demonstrate Ascend’s growing role as both a statewide catalyst and a national thought leader,” said Brad Rhorer, president and CEO of Ascend Indiana. “By sharing Indiana’s successes, contributing expertise to national initiatives, and bringing emerging ideas back to local partners, Ascend is helping advance innovative approaches that better connect education, workforce development and economic opportunity.”