Ecosystem Enrichment
INFORMATION FOR PROFESSIONALS IN INDY'S WORKFORCE ECOSYSTEM
Ecosystem Enrichment, held on the fourth Thursday each month, is intended for career navigators, frontline staff, and other workforce development professionals to share best practices, learn new opportunities for clients, and provide a space for shared strategic direction of local workforce development. Browse the topics below for key takeaways and resources from previous Ecosystem Enrichment meetings.
For Ecosystem Enrichment registration information, recaps, recordings, or resources shared during these sessions, please reach out to [email protected].
August 2024: Social Determinants of Health
Attendees of August's Ecosystem Enrichment session learned about social determinants of health with presenters from Caresource and Eskenazi Health. As many of the participants work in community-based settings providing wraparound services and supports that can positively impact public health, it is an important topic to understand. Those who attended were given a broad overview of social determinants of health, with special attention paid to that of economic stability where workforce services are closely related. Additionally, information about what is being done to address these needs in Indianapolis was presented.
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July 2024: Supporting Jobseekers with Hiring Events
This month, the topic was how to plan and execute a successful hiring event, as well as how to prepare jobseekers to successfully attend hiring events. This was presented by Bryan Spellman from EmployIndy. First, participants were given a broad overview of Wednesdays @ WorkOne Indy. Then, Bryan put forward tips for putting on successful hiring events, including elements of consistency and accessibility that employers appreciate and keep them coming back week after week. After this, the focus shifted to preparing clients to participate in hiring events and have meaningful interactions with employers that could lead to an interview and eventual job offer. The final piece of this presentation was ensuring that jobseekers know how to appropriately follow-up with employers after attending a hiring event.
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April 2024: Occupational Skills Training Overview
Attendees of April’s Ecosystem Enrichment session were given a demonstration of new tools for learning about and connecting to training opportunities in Indianapolis. They were then prompted to test those tools and provide feedback to inform updates and edits.
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March 2024: Good Wages and Job Quality
This month, attendees learned about job quality and its importance in Marion County, the Choice Employers work at EmployIndy, recent history and outcomes from Good Wages Initiative work, and more. Job quality impacts businesses in a variety of ways from their ability to attract, hire, and retain talent, let alone talent that is engaged and productive. The Choice Employers program is designed to support the growth of Indy employers and charging them to provide good wages, career pathways, employee supports, and environments where culture and diversity are welcomed and celebrated.
February 2024: Serving Non-English Speaking Job Seekers
Attendees of February’s Ecosystem Enrichment session learned about definitions, why language access is critical to the Indianapolis economy, responsibilities in serving limited-English proficiency jobseekers, and more. At the end, several local resources were shared to help connect jobseekers with language challenges to tools and organizations to help them succeed. Participants gained information about the Babel notes which informs customers about documents in multiple languages, examples of documents that need to be offered in multiple languages, and best practices for serving customers when there are no in-person staff speaking their native language.
January 2024: Introduction to Work-Based Learning
January’s Ecosystem Enrichment session centered around work-based learning and getting introduced to it. The WBL framework involves alignment and classroom and workplace learning, applying skills learned in a work setting, and support in the classroom and workplace from mentors. In addition, it is a key opportunity for jobseekers to get hands-on experiences that are also often paid. Participants also learned of WBL benefits to training providers and businesses in order to get buy-in from stakeholders on all fronts.
November 2023: Apprenticeships 101
Attendees of November’s Ecosystem Enrichment session learned about apprenticeships, which aptly took place during National Apprenticeship Week 2023. This presentation included a lot of introductory-level based information about these work and learn opportunities in Indianapolis as well as resources to dive deeper as needed.
Participants gained a better, more comprehensive understanding of apprenticeships; learned reasons why apprenticeship might be a viable option for some jobseekers; received information on how to connect jobseekers to apprenticeship opportunities; and built a basic knowledge base of how apprenticeship benefits employers.
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October 2022: Support for Job Seekers with Mental Health Challenges
October's edition of Ecosystem Enrichment featured an in-depth presentation from Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana mental health in the workplace and best practices for serving clients who face mental health challenges.
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September 2022: Writing Effective Case Notes + Voter Registration Info
Septembers's edition of Ecosystem Enrichment features a voter registration information presentation by EmployIndy as well as a presentation by Thomas P Miller & Associates (TPMA) on "Writing Effective Case Notes". Check out the recording using the video recording link.
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August 2022: Professional Development for Career Service Professionals
August's edition of Ecosystem Enrichment features a presentation by Thomas P Miller & Associates (TPMA). Check out the recording using the video recording link.
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July 2022: Career Coaching 101
July's edition of Ecosystem Enrichment features a presentation by Thomas P Miller & Associates (TPMA). Check out the recording using the video recording link.
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June 2022: Skills Employers are Looking For!
Check out the recording of June's virtual session, featuring the Indy Chamber, using the video recording link.
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How to use LMI to guide your Case Management/Coaching
In May's Ecosystem Enrichment session attendees got a chance to learn about Labor Market Information from Thomas P. Miller & Associates. Attendees were able to learn what LMI is and how it can be used to help jobseekers find a good fit for their needs.
With the use of case study's to better understand unique experiences help participants to identify how to obtain data and how to analyze data to draw conclusions about the Job Market.
Attendees also had the benefit of seeing visual boards to chart out the information information gather to not only relay it back to the jobseekers, but to also give links to support the information provided. Check out the links to the right to view the pdf of the presentation or to watch the video recording.
The Benefits Cliff and How it Impacts Jobseekers
Virtual attendees of April's Ecosystem Enrichment session heard a thorough and informative presentation from representatives from Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana on the "Benefits Cliff" and how we should be addressing this phenomenon with job seekers. Indiana specific data was used to frame the issue as well as keys to coaching for career navigators, including goal-setting, relationship building, client-centered approaches, and connecting clients to supports.
Attendees also had the benefit of hearing from EmployIndy about the Good Wages Initiative, which certifies, celebrates, and showcases Marion County employers committed to providing full-time employees both a wage of at least $18/hr and access to health insurance benefits. Employers can learn more about becoming "certified" or "committed" by visiting employindy.org/goodwages.
Employment Support for Individuals in Recovery
In March's edition of Ecosystem Enrichment, attendees had the privilege of hearing a presentation from the Indiana Recovery Network that focused on recovery resources and professionalism when working with clients and job seekers. Specifics topics addressed include types of recovery, pathways to recovery, certified peer professionals, building peer professionalism, resources specific to Central Indiana and more.
Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis on an overview of their available programming for clients and job seekers alike. You can use the links to the right to access a video recording of the session or view the PDF presentation.
The Role of Active Listening in Client Relationships
In January's edition of Ecosystem Enrichment, representatives from Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana shared best practices and insightful tools for "Effective Communication Through Active Listening". With the aid of illustrations and group activities, participants had the opportunity to identify characteristics of active listening skills and their importance in serving clients.
During this session, participants also heard an organizational overview from Indy Reads, including data points around literacy in Marion County as well as ways to engage for both clients and volunteers.
Lastly, participants heard about a new Virtual Career Coach Training opportunity, in partnership with Rework America Alliance, offered virtually through EmployIndy's Learning Hub. Check out the presentation or video recording links to the right to see a recap of program details and instructions for accessing the courses.
Looking for a previous Ecosystem Enrichment recap? Check out our Ecosystem Enrichment archives using the button below.