Career Council Continues Skills Gap Work
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana Career Council is continuing efforts to analyze and bridge the state's skills gap. The Indiana Workforce Intelligence System Task Force will report recommendations on training and funding sources at the council's November meeting.
September 26, 2013
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — Governor Mike Pence today convened the third meeting of the Indiana Career Council, with a focus on analyzing the skills gap in Indiana, assessing the state’s tools supporting workforce education and updating the best practices of community colleges.
The 19-member board was created by the General Assembly to increase coordination among those who work on the state’s education, job skills development and career training system.
Presenting a review of the skill gap analyses, Carol Rogers of the Indiana Business Research Center (IBRC) made several recommendations, including more available data for working learners, more effective systematic monitoring of the Indiana skills gap, and earlier emphasis on career options and career guidance practices.
The Indiana Workforce Intelligence System Task Force, led by State Representative Steve Braun, will report its recommendations at the November 18 meeting. Rep. Braun noted the Task Force was engaging with a variety of agencies and experts in government and business while working towards accessing functionality, suggested improvements, and reviewing funding allocations.
Joe Loughrey, a retired Cummins, Inc. executive. provided an update regarding work of the Community College Task Force, whose meetings have worked to identify best practices nationally, track performance of Indiana's community college programs, and consider recommendations for improving Indiana’s needs in key industries.
Governor Pence thanked the council members for their energy and commitment to the council’s task, and reflected from his recent trip to Japan and related international interests.
“As we talked about our vision for Indiana, the workforce discussions became a dominant topic with many Japanese companies,” said Pence. “People around the world are watching what we're doing here and appreciate the efforts of all to continue the dialogue and focus on real impacts.”
With 18 of the Council’s 19 members present, Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann and Jackie Dowd, Special Assistant for Workforce Innovation and Reform, also joined Governor Pence for the meeting.
Pence also noted that appointments to the Indiana Regional Works Councils were announced last week (for a complete list of Indiana Works Councils members by region, visit www.in.gov/ceci/2345.htm ), with a charge to provide local assessments and industry needs for Indiana high schools students and future Hoosier workers.
“I'm very excited for the tremendous team of individuals and their companies who have committed to this effort,” said Pence. “We have much to accomplish, and with the broad involvement of the Department of Education, school CTE directors and school administrators, and our many business partners, we've created a broad platform for discussion and moving Indiana forward.”
The next meeting of the Indiana Career Council will be held on Tuesday, October 21 at the Indiana State Library.
Source: Office of Indiana Governor Mike Pence