Posts by Jennifer Jackson-Outlaw
Northwest Indiana Welcomes International Delegation to Showcase Global Trade and Logistics Strengths
American Journal of Transportation -5/4/2026 On Thursday, April 23, the Northwest Indiana Forum and Ports of Indiana welcomed an international delegation representing 10 countries and provinces to the Ports of Indiana – Burns Harbor, highlighting the region’s growing role in global trade, logistics, and industrial development. The visit was conducted in partnership with the Chicago…
Read MoreBuilding the Workforce Employers Need
NWI Works, a collaborative workforce development initiative in Northwest Indiana, has created a bootcamp designed to strengthen skills that are often missing in otherwise qualified job candidates. These essential abilities help employees be more productive, navigate workplace challenges, and position themselves for long-term career success. They are not technical or job-specific skills – they are…
Read MoreInnovative Opportunity Hub to Change Workforce Development
What if there was a way to train and prepare for employment all in one place? Not just a community center where job seekers can work on a resume or search for job openings, but a centralized hub that reduces barriers preventing many from accessing high-paying, in-demand careers. NWI Works has unveiled an innovative concept…
Read MoreWhy America’s Talent Strategy Confirms the Vision Behind the NWI Works Opportunity Hub
Across the United States, policymakers, employers, and workforce leaders are confronting the same question: how do we build a workforce system that actually connects people to real careers and helps employers find talent? A new national report, America’s Talent Strategy: Building the Workforce for The Golden Age, outlines a blueprint for the future of workforce…
Read MoreCWI Announces Request for Proposals (RFP) for Consulting Services
Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI) is a 501(c)3 workforce development organization in the Northwest Indiana counties of Jasper, Lake, La Porte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, and Starke governed by a Board of Directors. CWI is seeking an experienced entity or person that will provide consulting services to create a comprehensive fundraising plan for CWI to ensure…
Read MoreCWI Director of Adult Education Recognized for National Workforce Credential
Recognition Showcases Samantha Smith’s Dedication to Community‑Centered Workforce and Adult Education GARY, IN — Strengthening the connection between adult learning and workforce development, Samantha Smith, Center of Workforce Innovations’ Director of Adult Education, is now among a select group of individuals nationwide who have earned the Certified Workforce Development Professional (CWDP) credential from the National…
Read MoreBridging the Gap: Pathways to Possibilities Strengthens Workforce Development Support for Porter County
PORTAGE, IN — When families and educators are connected to the right resources, students gain more than information—they gain opportunity. That belief is at the heart of Bridging the Gap: Pathways to Possibilities, a local initiative led by the Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI) through READY NWI to strengthen connections among schools, families, and community partners. Bridging the Gap was…
Read MoreAnnouncing Local Partnership for Elston Opportunity Hub
New MCAS and NWI Works Partnership Advances a Shared Vision for Education, Workforce, and Community Impact in Michigan City MICHIGAN CITY, IN — The Michigan City Area Schools (MCAS) school board recently announced the repurposing of the former Elston High School into the new “Elston Opportunity Hub.” This transformation is the result of a partnership between the MCAS school…
Read MoreNWI Students Get Hands on with the Skilled Trades
The Times of Northwest Indiana -11/19/2025 VALPARAISO — Over 1,000 students from across Northwest Indiana were able to get sneak peeks into skilled trade careers on Tuesday. The Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI) and the Construction Advancement Foundation (CAF) held their 3rd Annual Porter County Construction and Skilled Trades Day at the Porter County Expo…
Read MoreYouth Invited to 3rd Annual Porter County Event to Explore Apprenticeships and Skilled Trades
Event Welcomes High School Students, Recent Graduates, and Young Adults to Explore Careers in the Trades VALPARAISO, IN — The Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI) and the Construction Advancement Foundation (CAF) are making final preparations for the 3rd Annual Porter County Construction & Skilled Trades Day on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Porter County…
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