Work and Learn Indiana, an initiative of our Institute for Workforce Excellence, is proud to announce a new partnership with Aspire Johnson County, Johnson County’s economic development organization and chamber, to strengthen connections between employers and educators through expanded access to work-based learning opportunities.
This collaboration enhances Aspire’s and the Institute’s employer engagement efforts, including an accessible, interactive map that enables employers across Indiana to identify and share career-relevant activities they offer or would like to provide. These opportunities include job shadowing, classroom presentations, informational interviews, site visits and other meaningful work-based learning activities that extend well beyond traditional internships.
“Aspire Johnson County has been incredibly gracious in allowing us to partner on this project,” offers Sally Saydshoev, executive director of the Institute. “Through this collaboration, we are gaining valuable insight into how local chambers can help close gaps between employers and educators while building more equitable and systematic access to career exploration.”
The updated Work and Learn Indiana platform makes it easier for employers to participate while enabling educators, students and parents to explore opportunities and connect directly with companies across the state. Together, Work and Learn Indiana and Aspire Johnson County aim to build quality and capacity in work-based learning while supporting local economic vitality and shared prosperity.
“We are excited to collaborate with the Indiana Chamber’s Institute for Workforce Excellence,” says Amanda Rubadue, vice president of economic development for Aspire. “This work allows us to better align education and industry, expand access to opportunity and strengthen our workforce pipeline.”
Work and Learn Indiana looks forward to continuing this partnership and deepening employer engagement statewide.
