Organization Name: EmployIndy
Executive Leader / Title: Ken L. Clark, President & CEO
Website: https://employindy.org/
Tell us about your organization’s mission and the communities you serve.
EmployIndy guides the local workforce ecosystem and makes strategic investments to promote equity and remove barriers to quality employment for underserved and underrepresented residents. Their vision is for all Marion County residents to have access to services and training necessary to secure a livable wage and grow in a career that meets employer demand for talent.As the Workforce Development Board for Marion County, guided by 24 business, civic, education, and nonprofit community leaders, EmployIndy invests over $20 million in public, private, and philanthropic funds for both youth and adults annually..
What are the key services and programs you offer?
EmployIndy serves as a bridge between employers, job seekers, and the broader community. For employers, it acts as a strategic workforce partner by helping organizations tap into overlooked talent, build sustainable talent pipelines, and create pathways that strengthen both businesses and the communities they serve.For individuals, EmployIndy provides opportunities to explore careers, gain real-world experience, and secure meaningful employment aligned with their goals and lifestyle. Through collaboration with local organizations, EmployIndy expands access to opportunity and ensures workforce initiatives are effective, equitable, and responsive.
Key programs and initiatives include: Choice EmployersEmployIndy Talent ConnectionGood Wages InitiativeIndy AchievesJob Ready IndyJobs for America’s GraduatesModern Apprenticeship Program (MAP)Project IndyTalent BoundWorkOne IndyYES IndyYouthBuild Indy
Can you share a success story or impactful moment from your work?
Modern Apprenticeship in Action: A Win-Win for AES Indiana and Future Leaders Like Abigail Ortiz
When Abigail Ortiz first learned about the Modern Apprenticeship Program (MAP) in her high school personal finance class, she could not have predicted the impact it would have on her life. During a time shaped by the uncertainty of the pandemic, Abigail developed adaptability and resilience, qualities that became central to her journey.
MAP is a 2–3 year program for Central Indiana high school students that combines paid, hands-on work experience with college credit and professional skill development. Students work 15–20 hours per week while completing high school, gaining real-world experience and industry-recognized credentials in fields such as business, IT, and advanced manufacturing.
Abigail received multiple offers through the program but chose AES Indiana because of the connection she felt with her supervisor. That supportive environment allowed her to engage deeply in real-world business operations and build critical skills including initiative, time management, empathy, and professional communication.
For employers, MAP provides early access to emerging talent while helping shape future workforce pipelines. Employers report strong outcomes, including a 91% retention rate among apprentices and a positive return on investment, with an average of $1.47 returned for every $1 invested.
The experience also opened new doors for Abigail, including earning a full-ride scholarship to the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Now a junior, she is exploring careers in bilingual communications and community impact work. Her story reflects the broader impact of EmployIndy’s work, demonstrating how innovative workforce strategies create meaningful opportunities for individuals while delivering measurable value for employers and the community.
Employers who partner with MAP see measurable benefits:Stronger Workforce Pipeline: Apprentices start contributing immediately while preparing for long-term roles. High Retention: 91% of apprentices stay with their employer after completing the program. Positive ROI: For every $1 invested, employers see an average return of $1.47. Flexibility: Apprentices can work in-person, remote, or hybrid, contributing ~20 hours weekly. Community Impact: Companies help build a stronger local workforce ecosystem.
The Ripple Effect of Opportunity, for Abigail, the impact of this apprenticeship didn’t stop at workplace skills. It opened doors Abigail never imagined.“The program helped me build emotional intelligence, professional confidence, and leadership skills,” she says. “It also helped me earn a full-ride scholarship to the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.”Today, Abigail is a junior at IU, planning to explore careers in bilingual communications and community impact work. While she’s considering returning to AES, she’s also open to joining other companies in Indianapolis who share a commitment to investing in the future of students like herself.
Why This Matters, Abigail’s story is proof that flexibility and innovation in workforce development create life-changing opportunities for individuals as well as measurable results for businesses. By piloting creative solutions like the Modern Apprenticeship Program, EmployIndy is helping build a confident and resilient workforce. Want to learn how your organization can benefit from innovative workforce strategies? Message us at businesspartnerships@employindy.org to explore partnership opportunities.The Partnership highlights success stories weekly, grounded in the belief that workforce development is economic development. While the organization consistently meets and exceeds WIOA performance measures, it places equal emphasis on meaningful impact. In Program Year 2024, participants working with the Partnership’s network earned $153.5 million in wages. Hiring events hosted across the network are known for their high energy and optimism, often resulting in conditional job offers on the spot and challenging the narrative that people do not want to work.
Why did you join MUS?
EmployIndy’s MUS membership has diversified funding through new fundraising ideas and opportunities, strengthened learning through a community of practice, and provided access to expertise, knowledge, and perspectives from a DC-based lobbyist.
Fun Fact - Share something unique about your organization, team, or history that people may not know.
EmployIndy has become a national leader in the creation and support of career pathways that allow students to gain real-world experience and college credit simultaneously in high-demand industries such as business, IT, and healthcare.Through the Accelerate ED: Seamless Pathways to Degrees and Careers initiative, the Indianapolis design team, led by EmployIndy, has advanced student success through the JPMorgan Chase Foundation’s New Skills ready network. This work has contributed to a statewide career coaching framework, seamless post-secondary admissions at IU Indianapolis, embedded Ivy Tech career coaches within Indianapolis Public Schools, and expanded access to career-connected learning through Talent Bound and the Modern Apprenticeship Program. In 2025 alone, EmployIndy facilitated 38,486 career-connected learning opportunities for young people through exploration, engagement, and experience activities.