Committee on Education unanimously asks IEDC to build education‑to‑employment research program

The Committee on Education voted unanimously to ask the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) to develop an education‑to‑employment research program and deliver a framework and plan by Dec. 1, 2026.

Chair (Committee on Education) introduced amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 254, saying the program would ‘‘create a framework for education employment data analysis and data sharing’’ to inform state policy, support economic development strategy, and facilitate statewide and regional talent planning. The chair said IEDC has some existing funding and that philanthropic partners have indicated interest but were not publicly identified.

Representative Delaney told the committee he wanted to ensure the work improves education and training rather than ‘‘simply to advertise to investors.’’ He said he hopes the program is used to improve education outcomes and workforce alignment. The chair and other members noted past investments — including references to the LEAP project and recent philanthropy — as context for the proposed work.

The amendment directs IEDC to produce the program by Dec. 1, 2026, and lists intended uses: inform state policymaking, promote labor‑market alignment, support workforce training, and provide return‑on‑investment analysis. Committee members asked who the philanthropic supporters would be; the chair declined to name donors but said there was interest from multiple entities and mentioned Lilly Endowment and Strata as organizations that have supported similar efforts elsewhere.

The roll call showed the amendment and related motion passed 10–0. Members recorded as voting “yes” included Representatives Behning, Teschka, McGuire, Davis, Ireland, Carball, V. Smith, Delaney (aye), Klinker (aye) and Path. Representative Payne was excused.

The committee’s action requests IEDC produce research and a data‑sharing framework but does not appropriate new state funding; the chair said existing IEDC funds and philanthropic support would be used. The committee did not specify which philanthropic organizations will provide support beyond the examples discussed, and members asked staff to clarify funding sources and safeguards for data use as the work moves forward.

Next steps: The committee approved the request; any statutory or budget changes would require subsequent legislative action or agency implementation steps.