(INDIANAPOLIS) — The Indiana Chamber of Commerce and its Institute for Workforce Excellence today announced the initial companies to earn their new Workforce First Employer designation, a recognition of Indiana organizations that are setting a higher standard for talent development and delivering measurable, high-impact workforce practices.

The first group of honorees are Cimtech from New Albany, The Garrett Companies and George E. Booth Co., both of Greenwood, and Soulful Kitchen in South Bend.

“The Workforce First Employer designation is about acknowledging organizations that are truly raising the bar for Indiana’s workforce. These employers are not just filling jobs, they are investing in people and strengthening our state’s economic future,” says Todd Hurst, the Indiana Chamber’s senior vice

president of strategic partnerships and impact. “The inaugural group reflects what is possible when employers lead with purpose and innovation, and we are proud to celebrate them.”

The Workforce First Employer program evaluates employers across six core pillars – each representing an essential component of a high-quality workforce strategy. Those areas are strategic workforce integration, work-based learning, education engagement, upskilling and reskilling, job and wage quality, and workforce partnerships and collaboration.

Launched to spotlight employers investing in their people, the Workforce First Employer initiative is seeking to help redefine what long-term talent development can look like across Indiana. Applications are accepted year-round. Each month, a multidisciplinary Indiana Chamber committee reviews submissions and recognizes employers whose practices reflect an exceptional commitment to stronger, more sustainable workforce strategies.

Hurst notes that the program is designed to align with and complement other workforce, education and employer efforts. The Indiana Chamber is working closely with industry sector partnerships, local chambers of commerce, workforce boards and economic development partners. In fact, the Workforce First Employer designation was developed partially in response to a request from the Indiana Department of Education, which sought better alignment between education outcomes and employer engagement – especially around the implementation of new high school diploma seals that recognize students for work-based learning, earned credentials of value and career readiness.

For more information about the Workforce First Employer designation or to apply for future recognition cycles, visit workforceindiana.org/workforcefirst or contact the Institute for Workforce Excellence at institute@indianachamber.com,

Additional details about this month’s Workforce First Employers:

Cimtech – New Albany

A precision manufacturer of manufacturers known for its commitment to innovation, Cimtech (family-owned and team-operated) models excellence in upskilling and problem solving that’s driven by team members. The company’s proactive approach to workforce development ensures long-term stability in a region critical to Indiana’s manufacturing sector.

“Cimtech fosters a culture of continuous improvement by ensuring every team member – from the shop floor to the front office – has the tools and support to evolve alongside the industry. Our approach is built on three core pillars: personalization, multifunctional versatility and institutional support.” — Jesika Young, president and CEO, Cimtech

The Garrett Companies – Greenwood

Nationally respected in development, construction and property management, The Garrett Companies distinguish themselves through forward-thinking workforce strategies.

“Employees participate in a structured onboarding experience, supported by regular check-ins throughout their first year to ensure they feel supported and receive the training needed to succeed in their roles. Construction team members also receive Procore certification and comprehensive safety training. We further support ongoing education by sponsoring role-related certifications and offering internal training sessions across the organization.” — Maddie Murdock, internship and career development specialist, The Garrett Companies

George E. Booth Co. – Greenwood

A trusted leader in instrumentation and control solutions, George E. Booth Co. is recognized for advancing a culture of continuous learning and investing in technical skill development.

“We have worked with Area 31-Career Center & Digital Integrated Manufacturing Program students for the last two years. Once they have finished the program and graduate from high school, we have hired them.” — Susie Simmons, HR generalist, George E. Booth Co.

Soulful Kitchen – South Bend

Rooted in community impact and hospitality, Soulful Kitchen is celebrated for its people-first hiring philosophy and for creating meaningful skill-building opportunities for individuals seeking economic mobility.

“Learners participating through our school and training partners have the opportunity to earn the Workforce Competency Credential through NOCTI, receive college credit recommendations where applicable and apply for American Culinary Federation (ACF) certification upon meeting ACF eligibility requirements. By integrating classroom instruction with industry-aligned credentials, Soulful Kitchen ensures students gain both academic knowledge and workforce-ready skills.” — LaQuisha Jackson, founder and CEO, Soulful Kitchen

Background on the criteria used to evaluate employers for the designation:

  • Strategic Workforce Integration: Employers intentionally align workforce development within hiring plans, business growth strategies and HR systems to support long‑term success.
  • Work‑Based Learning: Offer structured experiences such as internships, apprenticeships, job
    shadowing and mentorships connecting learning to real‑world work.
  • Education Engagement (K-12, Postsecondary and Adult): Employers engage with education systems through career awareness, curriculum input and advisory roles.
  • Upskilling and Reskilling: Continuous investment in employee development through training, tuition support, certifications and cross‑training; building internal talent and retention strategy.
  • Job and Wage Quality: Organizations provide competitive, industry‑aligned and/or livable wages and promote high‑quality jobs with clear advancement opportunities.
  • Workforce Partnerships and Collaboration: Employers actively collaborate with workforce boards, chambers, economic development and community partners to strengthen talent pipelines.

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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.”

The Institute for Workforce Excellence, a subsidiary of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, is dedicated to helping Indiana attract, develop, and retain the Hoosier talent needed to drive a highly skilled workforce.