Hogsett Kicks Off Project Indy

(photo courtesy of EmployIndy)

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and EmployIndy have kicked off the city’s youth jobs program for 2019. Hogsett’s office says Project Indy will to grow the number of young people connected with work experiences and career exploration opportunities.

Project Indy launched in 2016 and the city says it has reached its annual goals of jobs obtained each year since, including exceeding its goal of 3,000 jobs in 2018. Hogsett says the skills young people learn as part of the program will translate to a more educated, well-trained workforce.
 
"Project Indy has grown its reach every year since its inception in 2016 – providing employment opportunities and valuable soft skills for thousands of young residents in Marion County each year,” said Hogsett said in a news release. "In 2019, we hope to build upon that momentum, engaging even more young adults through our Summer Jobs Sundays, youth job fairs and Job Ready Indy program."

The city celebrated the program’s 2019 launch at the Indianapolis Zoo, one of the nearly 140 employers involved in Project Indy. Officials spotlighted a student from Decatur Central High School, Ashley Lawson, who worked at the zoo last summer and later decided to major in education and zoology at Ball State University this fall.
 
“Ashley is the perfect example of how a summer job can help shape a young adult’s future,” said Judy Palermo, senior manager of public relations at the Indianapolis Zoo. “By engaging with local talent, businesses and attractions like the Zoo are able to positively impact the workforce in Indianapolis and make it possible for young adults to envision the next step in their career.”

You can learn more about Project Indy by clicking here.