Ascend Perspective

Trends Shaping Indiana’s Workforce

Analysis, data, and conversations from Ascend’s workforce experts — on the jobs, skills, and policies redefining how Hoosiers learn and work.

Ascend Perspective
Sep 29, 2026

Indiana Opens the Door to Short-Term Training with Pell Grants: How the State Can Prepare

Emily Morphew of Ascend explores how Indiana can use new Workforce Pell Grants to expand access to short-term training while strengthening data systems, employer validation and coordination to ensure programs lead to meaningful career outcomes.
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Indiana Opens the Door to Short-Term Training with Pell Grants: How the State Can Prepare
Indiana Has the Data. New Legislation Helps to Connect It
White Paper: The Role of K–12 Work-Based Learning Intermediaries
Indiana’s Advanced Industries: Powering the State’s Future Workforce and Economy
Expert Takes

Quick reads from the people doing the work

Ascend Perspectives
“
States that effectively connect education, workforce and economic data are better positioned to invest wisely, strengthen talent pipelines and compete for growth.
Alex Maggos
VP, Workforce Strategies
Ascend Perspectives
“
As AI continues to reshape industries, ensuring our talent pipelines evolve alongside these changes will be critical to Indiana’s long-term competitiveness.
Brad Rhorer
President & CEO
Ascend Perspectives
“
We find that the biggest barrier to work-based learning isn’t willingness; it’s just figuring out where to start.
Emily Morphew
Director of Workforce Strategies
By the Numbers

This month’s workforce snapshot

Explore Data & Research
34K+

Work-based learning experiences needed

For each cohort by 2029
63%

Labor force participation rate

National average is 62%
3.4%

Unemployment rate

National rate is 4.2%
516K

Open manufacturing jobs

3,500 jobs added

Latest Insights

Filter—Perspective: Tags
Student raising her hand in class.
Featured

Indiana Opens the Door to Short-Term Training with Pell Grants: How the State Can Prepare

Emily Morphew of Ascend explores how Indiana can use new Workforce Pell Grants to expand access to short-term training while...
Emily Morphew
Emily Morphew
Sep 29, 2026
Alex-Maggos-Headshot
Popular Perspective

Indiana Has the Data. New Legislation Helps to Connect It

Indiana has extensive workforce data, and new legislation can help connect and coordinate that information to better align education, employers...
Alex Maggos
Alex Maggos
Sep 4, 2026
PerryCentral-0061
Intermediary

White Paper: The Role of K–12 Work-Based Learning Intermediaries

Read Ascend Indiana’s white paper, The Role of K–12 Work-Based Learning Intermediaries, to gain insight into how Indiana is strengthening...
Jul 14, 2026
Melina Kennedy Headshot NEW

Indiana’s Advanced Industries: Powering the State’s Future Workforce and Economy

CICP CEO Melina Kennedy discusses how Indiana’s advanced industries are driving economic growth, and preparing Hoosiers for the future will...
Jun 12, 2026
Most Read
Indiana Opens the Door to Short-Term Training with Pell Grants: How the State Can Prepare
Indiana Has the Data. New Legislation Helps to Connect It
White Paper: The Role of K–12 Work-Based Learning Intermediaries
Collaboration is Key to Educating and Equipping for an AI Future

Contributing Experts

Emily Morphew
Emily Morphew
Director, Workforce Strategies
Kris Subler
Kris Subler
Director, Workforce Strategies
Betsy Davis
Betsy Davis
Chief Operating Officer
Brad Rhorer
Brad Rhorer
President & CEO
Nioka Clark
Nioka Clark
Senior Director, Workforce Strategies
Alex Maggos
Alex Maggos
Vice President, Workforce Strategies
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Success Stories & News

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Insights
Oct 06, 2026
Gov. Braun Strengthens Work-Based Learning Opportunities for Students Through New Digital Resource Hub
State of Indiana and Ascend Indiana launch new resources to expand real-world learning opportunities and...
Read Article
Insights
Sep 24, 2026
Ascend Indiana Launches Microgrant Program to Help High Schools Launch Student-Led Businesses
Ascend Indiana launched a new microgrant program awarding up to eight Indiana high schools $5,000...
Read Article
Success Stories
Sep 24, 2026
Intermediary Learning Network Spotlight: Hendricks College Network
Hendricks College Network brings schools, employers and community partners together to strengthen work-based learning and...
Read Article
Insights
Sep 23, 2026
Indiana Student-Led Business Exchange Provides Practical Strategies for Building Work-Based Learning in High Schools
Ascend Indiana’s Student-Led Business Exchange brought together nearly 100 educators, students, intermediaries and community partners...
Read Article

Central Intermediaries

Aspire Johnson County

Supports work-based learning by linking schools and more than 165 local employers to create hands-on opportunities that help students explore and pursue regional career pathways.
Counties Served: Johnson, Marion
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Central Indiana Educational Service Center (CIESC)

Partners with districts, educators, and students to provide high quality, sustainable services that enhance academic achievement and operational efficiencies.
Counties Served: Hamilton, Hendricks, Marion
Supporting: Schools
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East Central Educational Service Center (ECESC)

Provides regional coordination, tools, and training to help schools implement consistent and high-quality work-based learning programs.
Counties Served: Bartholomew, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hancock, Henry, Johnson, Madison, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Union, Wayne
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Eastern Indiana Works (EIW)

Engages employers, offers workforce insights, and partners with schools to expand student access to work-based learning experiences.
Counties Served: Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Rush, Union, Wayne
Supporting: Employers
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EmployIndy

Located in Indianapolis, EmployIndy develops career-connected learning systems in Marion County by coordinating employer engagement, work-based learning programming, and youth career pathways.
Counties Served: Marion
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Greater Lafayette Commerce and Economic Development Foundation

Builds connections between schools and employers to expand high-quality work-based learning, coordinate meaningful career experiences, and strengthen pathways from education to employment.
Counties Served: Benton, Carroll, Fountain, Montgomery, Tippecanoe, Warren, White
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce

Serves as a bridge between businesses and schools to promote internships, employer partnerships, and hands-on learning opportunities.
Counties Served: Delaware
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Hendricks College Network (HCN)

Connects schools, employers, and community partners—facilitating ongoing collaborations, coordinating a range of employer involvement opportunities, and providing support to help schools track and manage work-based learning experiences.
Counties Served: Hendricks
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Invest Hamilton County

Works with employers and schools to connect schools and students to employers offering high-quality work-based learning experiences.
Counties Served: Hamilton
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce

Leads countywide coordination of work-based learning by unifying schools, employers, and partners to streamline student placements and employer onboarding.
Counties Served: Wayne
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Southern Intermediaries

E-REP (Evansville Regional Economic Partnership)

Connects schools, employers, and community partners to expand high-quality work-based learning opportunities, strengthen employer engagement, and support students in exploring and preparing for careers.
Counties Served: Gibson, Posey, Vanderburgh, Warrick
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce

Connects local employers with schools to encourage internships, career exploration, and collaborative work-based learning initiatives.
Counties Served: Monroe
Supporting: Employers
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Hub19

Connects high school students and schools with local employers through career exploration, internships, and hands-on work-based learning experiences.
Counties Served: Dubois
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI)

Located in Bloomington, ROI helps schools and employers throughout their region understand evolving requirements, building partner capacity, fostering regional connections, and coordinating programs that offer students meaningful career-aligned experiences.
Counties Served: Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, Washington
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Contact

Southern Indiana Education Center (SIEC)

Supports educators through training, resources, and collaboration structures that help schools and employers organize work-based learning.
Counties Served: Clay, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Orange, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Sullivan, Vanderburgh, Warrick
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Southern Indiana Works (SIW, Workforce Region 10)

Engages employers and develops talent initiatives that connect students to meaningful work experiences aligned with regional workforce needs.
Counties Served: Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Scott, Washington
Supporting: Employers
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Southwest Indiana Workforce Board (SWIN)

Partners with businesses and schools to expand student access to industry-aligned work-based learning programs.
Counties Served: Dubois, Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, Warrick
Supporting: Employers
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Wilson Education Service Center (Educator & Employer Support)

Connects and supports educators and industry partners in expanding work-based learning opportunities through professional learning, collaborative groups, and networking events.
Counties Served: Dearborn, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley, Switzerland
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Wilson Education Service Center (Educator Support)

Connects and supports educators and industry partners in expanding work-based learning opportunities through professional learning, collaborative groups, and networking events.
Counties Served: Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott, Washington
Supporting: Schools
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Northern Intermediaries

Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI)

Coordinates employer relationships, talent programs, and school partnerships to strengthen work-based learning throughout Northwest Indiana.
Counties Served: Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Starke
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Grow Allen

Supports work-based learning by coordinating student internships and work-based tours, connecting schools with local businesses, and partnering with community organizations to expand training pathways while collaboratively helping partners strengthen their work-based learning efforts.
Counties Served: Allen
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Horizon Education Alliance (HEA)

Partners with schools and employers to provide high school students with career exploration and hands-on work-based learning opportunities.
Counties Served: Elkhart
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Northeast Indiana Workforce Board (NEINW)

Supports regional talent pipelines by linking businesses with schools and promoting work-based learning as part of workforce development.
Counties Served: Adams, Allen, Grant, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, Whitley
Supporting: Employers
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Contact

Northern Indiana Workforce Board

Serves as a regional backbone for work-based learning, bringing schools, employers, and workforce partners together to build shared WBL infrastructure and expand student opportunities.
Counties Served: Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, Marshall, St. Joseph
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Region 8 Education Service Center of Northeast Indiana (R8ESC)

Provides training, coordination, data support, and shared tools to help schools implement and scale consistent work-based learning practices across the region.
Counties Served: Adams, Allen, Blackford, DeKalb, Grant, Huntington, Jay, Kosciusko, Madison, Miami, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, Whitley
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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South Bend Regional Chamber

Coordinates employer partnerships, student programming, and large-scale work-based learning initiatives to connect youth with regional career pathways.
Counties Served: St. Joseph
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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