Issue 63 I April 2018
A monthly newsletter from the Northwest Indiana Workforce Board
Region Students Compete at Regional Career Development Conference
Early Friday morning, January 26, 2018, close to 100 students from JAG classrooms across the region anxiously gathered in Raintree Hall auditorium at Indiana University Northwest (IUN) in Gary. They came to represent their school and compete in events where those who earned a first place spot will move on to the state competition.

Let's talk workforce
NW Indiana Workforce Board and Construction Advancement Foundation partner to successfully host region's first hands-on Construction & Trades Day , featuring 14 skilled trades organizations. Over 950 local students attended the event.

The Third Annual Michigan City Community Job Fair took place on April 18th. With 56 region employers, the event drew 250 attendees who came prepared and looking for employment or seeking a career change. The event was hosted by the Northwest Indiana Workforce Board, WorkOne of NW Indiana , the City of Michigan City, Economic Development Corp of Michigan City, Michigan City Chamber of Commerce, and Blue Chip Casino.

Summer youth employment programs (SYEPs) have become increasingly popular in cities and counties across the country, and are effective in reducing crime and incarceration among participants according to recent evaluations Brookings Institute.

Two region representatives appointed to Governor's Workforce Cabinet
Governor Eric Holcomb has created a Workforce Cabinet for the purpose of assessing and potentially realigning current workforce workforce development programs and services in the state.

The newly created cabinet will develop Indiana's first career coaching and navigation program, while reviewing the outcomes from career and technical education.

Serving on the 13 member Governor's Workforce Cabinet include two representatives from Northwest Indiana-- Jena Bellezza, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Branding for the Indiana Parenting Institute and Mark Kara, Assistant to the Coordinator for Local 150 Operating Engineers.

Sign on today to become
a NW Indiana Work Ethic
Employer!

Participation levels vary.

Become a Work Ethic Employer!
Northwest Indiana's Work Ethic Certificate program is helping align young people to the skills desired by region employers, according to an Employer Expectation survey conducted through the Center of Workforce Innovations.

The Youth Employment Council of the Northwest Indiana Workforce Board has 27 regional schools on board to develop 21st Century success skills among our young people. The Council is asking that region employers consider becoming a Work Ethic employer. Commitment and participation levels vary.
For further information on becoming a Work Ethic employer, contact Tamara Stump at tstump@cwicorp.com or 219-462-2940, ext. 32 .


Meet the Northwest Indiana Workforce Board
Chair- Mary Lewis, Accounting & Business Manage r-Andover Management/In Good Company
Vice Chair- Debi Baughman, Director of Training -Horizon Bank
Secretary- Gary Olund, President & CEO -Northwest Indiana Community Action
Treasurer- Frank Cardello, Chief Financial Officer -Packaging Logic  
Past Chair -George Douglas, Sr. VP of Operations -Indiana Beverage
Members :
  • Jim Clarida, President & Business Representative-IBEW Local 531
  • Thomas Coley, Chancellor-Ivy Tech Community College
  • Adam Collins, Vice President of Operations-Kruz, Inc.
  • Kim DeQuis, Regional Manager-Family & Social Services Administration
  • Kris Emaus, Chair-Region 1 Works Council
  • Ric Frataccia, Superintendent-Valparaiso Community Schools
  • Rich Gamblin, Apprenticeship/Training Coordinator-Ironworkers Local 395
  • R. Luis Gonzalez, Chancellor-Ivy Tech Community College/East Chicago
  • Clausell Harding , Adult Education Director-A.K. Smith Center
  • Keith Kirkpatrick, Owner-KPM Group
  • Karen Kopka, Senior HR Manager-American Licorice Company
  • Kristine Lukowski, HR Manager-Republic Services
  • Joseph Medellin, Manager Human Resources-ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor
  • Gary Miller, Chief Executive Officer-Prompt Ambulance
  • Dan Murchek, President-Northwest Indiana Federation of Labor
  • Arlene Pearson, Chief Human Resources Officer-Edgewater Systems
  • Barbara Sacha, Labor Relations Manager-ArcelorMittal
  • Ben Scheiner, Plant Manager-Galfab
  • Chris Smith, VP Human Resources-NiSource
  • Africa Tarver, Director of Planning & Development-City of Hammond
  • Brenda Walters, Human Resources Director-Wastequip