News
From Blight to Beauty: Gary’s Work B.I.G. Initiative Kicks Off
GARY, IND. — This week marks an important milestone for the City of Gary and the Center of Workforce Innovations with the launch of Work B.I.G., an innovative initiative aimed at blight remediation through workforce development. Twenty-one Gary residents reported to their first day of B.I.G. (Beauty in Gary) work, benefiting from paid skills training…
Read MoreCOMMENTARY: Future of JAG in Jeopardy
By Lisa Daugherty, President & CEO, Center of Workforce Innovations When Indianapolis rolls out the red carpet to more than 900 students for the national Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) Career Development Conference April 24-26, it does so even as the future of Indiana JAG chapters is under serious threat of elimination. Regrettably, the current…
Read MoreMayor Melton invites Community Leaders to Think B.I.G.
This week, a diverse group of influential and engaged community leaders gathered at City Hall to learn about Think B.I.G. (Beauty in Gary), an ambitious blight elimination program. The initiative, championed by Mayor Eddie Melton and modeled after a successful work-based learning initiative in Detroit, aims to revitalize areas while equipping residents with essential foundational…
Read MoreGary recruiting for Think B.I.G. initiative
By Kerry Sapet / Northwest Indiana Business Magazine The City of Gary is seeking a project manager and career advisors for its Think B.I.G. blight elimination project. Blight has been a challenge for Gary for decades. The city and the Center of Workforce Innovations are collaborating to address the issue. In partnership with Ivy Tech…
Read MoreProject Manager, Career Advisors Needed for Think B.I.G., City of Gary’s Blight Elimination Project
Inspired by a successful initiative in Detroit, this training program aims to be the foundation of a talent development strategy that will offer residents essential skills for immediate employment and future career advancement. GARY, Ind. (January 13, 2025) — Blight has been a significant challenge for Gary for decades. However, a new collaboration between the…
Read MoreBuilding the Future: 8th Annual Construction & Skilled Trades Day Aims to Bridge Workforce Gap for the Region
The popular event aims to empower youth across Northwest Indiana to explore career options in the skilled trades. Crown Point, Ind. (November 14, 2024) — Thanks to a renewed focus on infrastructure, an ongoing housing crisis, and several large-scale projects scheduled, – Northwest Indiana’s construction sector is experiencing a surge in new jobs. Yet, despite…
Read MoreCWI serving as Career Champions in “Bridging the Gap to Student Success”
Valparaiso, IND. (October 17, 2024) —Beginning this fall, the Center of Workforce Innovations is looking to change how Northwest Indiana students see their occupational futures with the launch of “Bridging the Gap to Student Success.” The new program, made possible through a $1 million grant from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, assists high school juniors…
Read MoreGary Common Council Recognizes National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week with Help from CWI
GARY, IND. (September 18, 2024) — According to the 2024 State of the Workforce report, only 37% of adults in Northwest Indiana have earned a high school diploma, while 33% have attained some level of higher education such as college or trade training. While both statistics have slowly increased over the last few years, the…
Read More2nd Annual Porter County Construction & Skilled Trades Day returns to Expo Center
VALPARAISO, IN (August 30, 2024) – The most popular and in-demand skilled trade unions have confirmed their participation in the 2nd Annual Porter County Construction and Skilled Trades Day hosted by Center of Workforce Innovations and the Construction Advancement Foundation (CAF) scheduled for September 4, 2024, at Porter County Expo Center in Valparaiso, Ind. Up…
Read MoreCWI partners with Indiana Arborist Association for Groundbreaking Arboriculture Workforce Program
VALPARAISO, IND. (August 28, 2024) — The Center of Workforce Innovations is proud to announce its partnership with the Indiana Arborist Association (IAA) to launch a three-year apprenticeship program. The program was made possible through a $250,000 grant awarded to IAA from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Community and Urban Forestry program with CWI…
Read More