(INDIANAPOLIS) — Jason Bearce is the new vice president of education and workforce development for the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Bearce has spent his nearly 20-year professional career with the Indiana Department of Education and Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE), most recently serving as the senior associate commissioner at CHE.
Bearce will officially join the Indiana Chamber on September 10. His duties will include lobbying on state education and workforce policy, coordinating the Indiana Chamber’s newly-created Institute for Workforce Excellence and serving as the management liaison with the board of Indiana INTERNnet, the statewide resource for internship opportunities.
“Jason brings a wealth of policy experience in both K-12 and post-secondary education, and will be able to hit the ground running on many initiatives for us,” offers Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar. “That’s a big plus because Outstanding Talent is the top driver in our organization’s Indiana Vision 2025 plan. Having a qualified workforce is both the greatest challenge for our state and the area of most importance.
“The Chamber has worked with Jason on a number of key policies and programs, including when he was the staff liaison for Indiana’s Education Roundtable. I’ve always been impressed by his knowledge and ability to communicate effectively. He is highly regarded in the Statehouse and in education circles across the state, and we are excited to have him on the Indiana Chamber team.”
Bearce has contributed to significant education policy changes during his career, including establishing high school graduation pathways aligned with the state’s workforce needs, reforming Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars program to increase college completion and career readiness, and launching Governor Holcomb’s Next Level Jobs initiative.
Bearce earned a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and his MBA from WGU Indiana. His involvement in the community has included serving as the board president for an Indianapolis charter school and a mentor through Starfish Initiative.
“Good education and workforce policy moves our state forward, helping young Hoosiers find their career path and ensuring adults have the skills needed for today’s jobs,” Bearce says. “I’m passionate about education and look forward to representing the interests of the state’s business community on behalf of the Indiana Chamber.”
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The Indiana Chamber partners with 25,000 members and investors – representing over four million Hoosiers – to achieve the mission of “cultivating a world-class environment which provides economic opportunity and prosperity.”
