Mayor Joe Hogsett, EmployIndy honor employers and community programs at 24th annual Celebration of Diversity

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and EmployIndy presented seven workforce and inclusion awards at the 24th annual Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity breakfast in Indianapolis, recognizing employers and community organizations that run youth apprenticeships, hire locally, and offer wraparound job training.

The awards ceremony, emceed by Matthew Fultz of WTHR and employIndy program participant Elliot Bradford, included presentations to Plastic Recycling Inc.; Powers and Sons Construction; Second Helpings; Crew Car Wash; and Martin University. Speakers emphasized the programs’ role in creating career pathways and warned that reductions in federal and philanthropic funding are constraining workforce services.

The event matters because EmployIndy serves tens of thousands of Marion County residents each year and its programs are linked directly to local employers’ talent pipelines. Marie McIntosh, president and CEO of EmployIndy, told attendees that the agency connects more than 60,000 residents annually and that programs such as Project Indie and its Promise scholarship initiative aim to increase postsecondary completion and job readiness.

“Project Indie has connected more than 20,000 young people,” McIntosh said. “We’re really focused on connecting people to purpose and purpose to progress.” She said EmployIndy has awarded more than 2,600 completion grants and more than 9,700 Promise Scholarships to help students persist through postsecondary education at Ivy Tech and IU Indianapolis.

McIntosh described additional programs including a Modern Apprenticeship Program tied to the Indiana Career…