Workforce cabinet provides guidance on talent pipeline – Inside INdiana Business

The Governor’s Workforce Cabinet has released a comprehensive plan to address Indiana’s workforce challenges and the state’s declining higher education rates. The report was prepared for Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Indiana General Assembly to provide a potential roadmap to tackle the key issues impacting the state’s economy and holding back its potential to grow, according to the GWC.

The cabinet provided a list of 30 recommendations, across three key areas:  help employers find skilled workers, remove barriers for workers and prepare future skilled workers.

In an interview with Inside INdiana Business, Governor’s Workforce Cabinet Executive Director Whitney Ertel said the process of developing the plan provided clarity to find solutions.

“It’s very clear to us where we need to focus as a state to really move our economy forward, and to give our people the skills that they need to keep moving upward in terms of mobility. And really, for the employers that are here in Indiana already, we want to be sure that they have what they need to transform their businesses digitally,” said Ertel.

The Governor’s Workforce Cabinet consists of 30 business executives, education leaders and community stakeholders. It was created five years ago to help strengthen Indiana’s economy by addressing current and future education and employment needs for residents and employers.

Following the global COVID-19 outbreak, Gov. Holcomb charged the cabinet to refocus its efforts to Indiana’s workforce approach in the post-pandemic era.

“We’re all in agreement about what those are. But we felt like there was a real opportunity to focus on solutions,” said Ertel, who was appointed GWC executive director in May.

Among the ideas is the creation of an Indiana Talent Agency. The cabinet is recommending the removal of the unemployment insurance function of the Department of Workforce Development and assign the duties to another state agency or establish the service as a standalone agency.

The cabinet says the move would allow DWD to focus on employer talent needs and create a “one-stop service” for employers.

“Where we see a big opportunity is to focus on employers. Right now, employers don’t have a front door to the whole talent ecosystem. Who do they call and who do they work with to get the trained workers that they need? This agency would really focus are on the existing employers,” explained Ertel.

Ertel says the GWC’s roadmap places special emphasis on preparing Indiana students and current workers for career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, which are projected to grow exponentially over the next decade.

“You’ll see in our recommendations, a very laser focused effort on STEM skills, making quality STEM accessible for all trying to keep more of our STEM graduates in state after they leave college, really mixing up the high school environment and getting those kids training and work experience,” said Ertel.

Ertel says the plan wants to help remove existing educational barriers to employees who want to advance in their careers by re-thinking a traditional work week.

“What if we looked at this differently and more people were getting that training at the worksite. Imagine you’re working a 40-hour week, you’re working for 30 hours, 10 hours, you’re training, getting the schooling you need, but still getting paid for a 40 hour week,” said Ertel.

Ertel says there has been no shortage of reports and opinions on Indiana’s workforce problems, but few actionable items. She says fixing the challenges requires a new approach.

“Looking at things a little bit differently. It’s time to rethink, it’s time to mix it up differently. The status quo will not serve as well,” said Ertel, who previously served as chief business officer for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

The report was released ahead of the next legislative session that is set to begin in January. “We’re hoping that we are entertaining conversations working with them,” said Ertel. “We hope to see a lot of this drafted and passed as legislation.”

For a closer examination of the GWC report, read Peter Blanchard’s report from the Indianapolis Business Journal.