For Hendricks College Network (HCN), being an intermediary is all about bringing people together.
Founded nearly 20 years ago out of Purdue Extension, HCN has evolved into a connector for education and training opportunities across its community. The organization works with schools, employers and community partners to better understand their needs, create opportunities for collaboration and strengthen connections between education and the workforce.
That role has become increasingly important as schools and employers navigate Indiana’s changing work-based learning landscape. HCN saw firsthand the need to create a common space for those conversations when employers and educators weren’t always speaking the same language.
“We need 15 interns. Can you make that happen?” isn’t the same conversation as asking an employer, “What does your talent development pipeline look like, and how can we work together?”
When the conversation shifts from “Can you provide 15 interns?” to “How can we help strengthen your talent pipeline?,” employers are more likely to see HCN as a strategic partner. That relationship-building approach fosters trust, aligns opportunities with workforce needs and creates a foundation for sustained collaboration.
That philosophy is reflected in the work HCN has undertaken over the past two years. HCN has brought schools together to share ideas and best practices while engaging community partners in regular conversations. One way they have done this is through WestNext, a collaborative brand designed to give schools and industry partners common language and consistency around career exploration and talent pipeline development.
Its approach is simple: listen first, meet partners where they are and start small.
“We want to meet our school partners wherever their needs are and however we can provide that support,” said Chris Ponsler, HCN’s director of K-12 Initiatives. The same approach extends to employers. Rather than telling businesses what they need to do, HCN asks, “What do you need? How can we come alongside you and support you?”
That approach is also reflected in HCN’s NextGen Chamber program, which creates a direct connection between students and local business leaders. Each participating school selects approximately 10 to 15 students to attend chamber meetings, where they sit alongside employers, build professional networks and develop soft skills.
Before attending, students receive coaching from HCN on professional etiquette, networking and how to communicate their transferable skills. Employers, meanwhile, gain an opportunity to meet potential future talent in an informal setting. The program has already led to job opportunities, including one student who connected with an employer through a chamber meeting after previously applying to the organization.
HCN believes the model could be replicated in communities across Indiana because chambers and community foundations already provide spaces where employers regularly gather.
HCN has leaned on its community network, storytelling and partnerships to sustain its work. Ponsler emphasizes that progress doesn’t have to happen all at once. “Any impact is an impact, and little steps can turn into bigger things.” The organization intentionally captures photos, shares its work on social media and documents its impact, recognizing that strong stories and data can be critical when seeking funding and demonstrating value to community leaders.
Looking ahead, HCN plans to continue exploring grant opportunities, expanding community partnerships and listening closely to the needs of its region. For the organization, sustainability ultimately comes down to staying relevant, building trust and continuing to demonstrate the value of bringing people together.
“We work hard to make sure that we remain relevant and valuable and are listening to our community.”
Educators and employers can connect with HCN for work-based learning assistance via the Ascend Intermediary Directory.
