JP Morgan Chase Awards $7M to Indy Career Readiness Efforts

(stock image courtesy: Pixabay/Quinn Campschroer)

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) says it is committing $7 million in support of career readiness efforts in Indianapolis to help prepare young Hoosiers for jobs.

It is part of the New Skills Ready Network, a five-year philanthropic investment in which the corporation has pledged $75 million.

Indy is one of six U.S. cities and 10 global cities to receive the career readiness grants.

JPMorgan Chase says the funding is intended to help develop pathways and policy recommendations that give underserved students access to higher education and real-world work experiences that lead to high-wage, in-demand jobs.

“A skilled workforce and an inclusive recovery are key to Indianapolis’ growth,” said Jim Macdonald, market manager for Indiana and Kentucky, J.P. Morgan Private Bank. “Unfortunately, too many young people, especially underrepresented and disadvantaged students, are entering the workforce without the skills, resources and real-world experiences they need.”

Macdonald says a partnership between Indianapolis Public Schools, Ivy Tech Community College Central Indiana, IUPUI, Ascend Indiana, and the Indiana Governor’s Workforce Cabinet will use the funding to create systems that launch learners into good jobs in the region.

EmployIndy will lead local and state partners as part of the initiative to develop and implement pathways and support students to earn a credential with labor market value.