Ascend in the News
Learn about the impact of our work on Indiana job seekers and the statewide labor market.
In the News
Indianapolis Students Get a "Leg Up" on Careers with European-Inspired Apprenticeships (MAP)
September 23, 2022
“After going to Switzerland and talking to students, and seeing the connectivity between government, employers, associations, the school system. I came back like, 'we have to be a part of this,'" said Stephanie Bothun, vice president of Ascend Indiana, a workforce development non-profit based in Indianapolis. Their apprentice program (MAP) is the largest in Indianapolis and is in it's third year as a pilot program.
Geoffrey Mearns (Ball State): Indiana Must Attack Degree-Attainment Challenge
September 23, 2022
Ball State is working with Ascend Indiana to connect our students with Indiana career opportunities that match their skill sets and interests. One goal from this partnership is workforce outcomes that help them prepare for fulfilling careers, keeping the graduates in Indiana, and thus good jobs.
Youth Apprenticeship Program Hopes to Reach Hundreds of Students with New Funding
September 23, 2022
A Marion County program (Modern Youth Apprenticeship), to connect high school students with paid, on-the-job experience will receive $6 million for three years to continue its work. Ascend Indiana Vice President and co-founder, Stephanie Bothun said the goal with the new funding is to provide opportunities to 400 Marion County students over the next three years.
Press Releases
Central Indiana Corporate Partnership and initiative leaders named to IBJ 250 list of most influential business leaders in Indiana
July 21, 2022
The Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) is announcing that its president and CEO and six of its talent and industry sector initiative leaders, including Jason Kloth, Ascend's president & CEO, have been named to the Indianapolis Business Journal’s prestigious list of the 250 most influential business leaders in Indiana.
Ascend Indiana and EmployIndy receive a $6 million grant to scale Modern Youth Apprenticeship for high school students in Central Indiana
June 28, 2022
Ascend and EmployIndy, Marion County’s workforce development board, have received $6 million for three years from the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation to support the scaling of Modern Youth Apprenticeship (MAP) in Marion County. In addition, the grant will help to enhance the connection between employers and education providers to enable expansion of youth career pathways in the state.
Racial disparities in education and workforce limit opportunities for individuals and talent for employers
November 09, 2021
An analysis and report by Business Equity for Indy's (BEI) Learning and Talent Opportunities Taskforce, of which Ascend is a key member, finds poor K-12 outcomes, high waiver diploma usage, and declining college enrollment among the key factors in education and workforce opportunity gaps in Indiana and Marion County.
Media and Press
Request brand assets and make media inquiries to:
Kate Broshears
Vice President of External Relations
(317) 532-4786
kate.broshears@ascendindiana.com