WIOA State Plan Common Elements

The State of Indiana, like other states, is grappling with the challenges of developing talent for the increasing and changing demands of a nimble workforce. Advances in technology and a rapidly evolving economy have led to historically low unemployment rates coupled with urgent questions about whether K-12 and postsecondary systems are truly preparing learners for the careers of today and tomorrow. Indiana is facing workforce challenges on multiple fronts, including a tight labor market, the ongoing retirement of the Baby Boomers, the relatively high and persistent demand in industries and occupations that do not require formal training beyond high school balanced with the need to upskill workers to compete for jobs that increasingly require digital skills, and competing demand for the skilled trades due to a once in a generation investment from the federal government. However, these challenges also present the State with opportunities. For example:

• As employers invest in automation to increase efficiency and mitigate long-term demographic shifts in the labor market, the State has the opportunity to focus on skill transformation to move workers into quality, family-sustaining jobs.
• The tight labor market and federal investment requirements will continue to incentivize employers to think outside the box in terms of activating disconnected and underserved workers and redefining what a “good job” looks like, including benefits, opportunities for advancement, and flexibility.
• Indiana’s emerging industries and the workforce demand generated by new federal investments will necessitate a “yes, and…” approach to providing education and training to meet the full range of jobs that will be in demand, including the skilled trades, the social services sector, and STEM. The State will continue to build upon recent legislation to promote work-based learning, increase high school graduation and college-going rates, and incentivize training enrollment in high-demand fields.

The State is well-positioned to provide the education and skills in demand now and in the future due to its nationally recognized postsecondary education system, forward thinking sector and community partnerships, and state-level coordination around workforce planning to meet the demand generated by emerging opportunities and federal investments.

For example, key institutions and partnerships within the State have laid the foundation to provide a skilled semiconductor workforce to help the country’s urgent need to re-shore semiconductor manufacturing and research:

• Purdue University, an ‘R1’ research institution, is an established leader in the nascent field of microelectronics. Itoffers a full suite of degrees and credential options in semiconductor fields including a recently created master’s program – the first of its kind among the top five engineering schools. The program offers instruction in all major elements of semiconductor production from raw materials and software/hardware to chip design, and manufacturing & packaging.[1] Purdue is leading a national consortium of 18 universities for the Scalable Asymmetric Lifecycle Engagement (SCALE), a five-year, U.S. Department of Defense-sponsored program aimed at addressing the urgent need to develop a highly skilled U.S. microelectronics workforce. The University manages SCALE in partnership with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, another Indiana asset. Purdue is also one of four Midwestern R1 universities that are exclusively committed to the Silicon Crossroads regional innovation hub through the Defense Department’s Microelectronic Commons program and serve on the Silicon Crossroads board. They received $10 million in Microelectronic Commons funding through the hub to expand the capabilities at their Birck Center.

• Indiana University (IU), an ‘R1’ research institution, is diving headfirst into the world of high-tech and national defense by supporting the talent pipeline dedicated to the manufacturing of microelectronics and semiconductors. With an $111 million investment, IU aims to not only fuel the microelectronics industry within Indiana and beyond, but also accelerate innovative solutions for critical national security challenges through deepened collaboration with the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division. IU's comprehensive plan tackles multiple areas: emerging semiconductor technologies, talent development, and critical defense needs. From new faculty hires to cutting-edge facilities and strategic initiatives, the university is pouring resources into advancements in microelectronics, nanotechnology, AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity. Aligning with the IU 2030 Strategic Plan's focus on business and industry engagement, the investments will also forge partnerships with defense contractors and companies developing dual-use technologies - solutions with both civilian and defense applications. In addition, the EDGE Consortium aims to reduce gender and racial barriers by doubling the number of qualified women and people of color entering the world of semiconductors. Led by female leaders from top research universities, EDGE unites public and private sector leaders to solidify US leadership in this crucial field, driven by the vision to foster cutting edge solutions that ignite innovation, economic prosperity, and national security.  IU is also a member of the Silicon Crossroads hub.
• The University of Notre Dame, an ‘R1’ research institution, is engaged in cutting-edge research in computer engineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering, and nuclear physics. It leads ASCENT, a microelectronics research center funded by the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).  They are also a member of the Silicon Crossroads hub and received $4 million from the Microelectronic Commons program through the hub to build a high frequency RF Test and Evaluation laboratory.
• Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech), the State’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, is partnering with Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, one of our nationally recognized engineering schools, to develop a two-year semiconductor manufacturing degree with hands-on cleanroom experience.[2] Additionally, Ivy Tech is currently partnering with Purdue University to co-develop a high-school recruitment pipeline and Custom Contract Skills Training to address workforce & talent needs in the Lafayette region. Ivy Tech is also a member of the Silicon Crossroads hub, and they received $2 million from the Microelectronic Commons program through the hub to build a Microelectronics Training Center near NSWC Crane to support the workforce development need of Crane and the microelectronics companies who are locating in the region.
• Indiana’s Accelerating Microelectronics Production and Development Task Force (AMPD)is an initiative that brings together industry veterans, academic partners, non-dilutive federal funding consultants, construction and site selection experts, and strategy consultants to leverage Indiana’s advantages in microelectronics. The task force, led by the Indiana Secretary of Commerce, is focused on attracting capital investments by connecting semiconductor companies with local opportunities, including skilled talent, shovel-ready real estate, and competitive investment packages.
• The Governor’s Workforce Cabinet is partnering with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to incorporate emerging semiconductor cluster growth and the resulting workforce demand. The results are being used to guide decision making around Indiana’s in-demand occupations related to training funding at both the secondary and postsecondary levels. 

While not directly tied to the State’s efforts to nurture a semiconductor ecosystem and workforce, Indiana’s efforts to coordinate around future demand for a highly educated and skilled workforce training will benefit all of the State’s existing and emerging industries. During Indiana’s 2023 legislative session, lawmakers sought to leverage current collaborative efforts among State government, K-12 education, higher education, business/industry, and other key partners to provide more opportunities to students via Indiana House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1002. HEA 1002 establishes the concept of a Career Scholarship Account (CSA) and gives the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) the ability to approve career courses and apprenticeship programs. For the 2024-2025 school year, certain school corporations must include instruction for all students regarding career awareness, including Career Navigation and Coaching (CNC). To support this, all public high schools are also mandated to hold at least one career fair during school hours. There is also a new mandate to have 30-minute meetings with schools and third parties, which may be waived if schools participate in a CNC.

The collaborative spirit of workforce system partners contributes to the coordinated hiring, training, and placement of all Hoosiers. To strengthen this collaboration, additional areas for opportunity include:

• Data Sharing: allowing for better understanding of who the State serves, where they are being served, and how the State serves them.
• Co-Enrollment: packaging services that work together to meet Hoosiers’ unique needs.
• Co-Location: improving customer service by strategically locating staff to help break down barriers for individuals when they access State services.
• Cross-Training: increasing State, local, and front-line staff knowledge across Indiana’s talent development system to better serve Hoosiers.
• Employer Engagement: sharing information with Hoosier businesses about the benefits of Indiana’s talent development system and encouraging them to engage with underserved and underrepresented populations.

[1] Source: IEDC June 2022 Newsletter

[2] Source: IEDC June 2022 Newsletter