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Industry Talent Association (ITA)
Collaborating on Indiana’s workforce development network
The advanced manufacturing and logistics ITA was established to address a persistent gap in Indiana’s manufacturing talent pipeline: the disconnect between existing training programs and the full range of skills required in modern production environments.
Advanced manufacturing and logistics leaders worked together to establish Indiana’s first statewide structure for defining occupational standards in advanced manufacturing and logistics.
Work-based learning programming by employers, for employers
The ITA applies its employer-led standards development process to priority occupations, including Robotics & Automation, Microelectronics/Advanced Electronics, and Supply Chain & Logistics. The long-term goal is a statewide talent system in which employers define priority occupational standards and education and workforce partners align delivery accordingly.
A powerful partnership to build the workforce pipeline
The AML ITA aligns with Indiana’s broader effort to build the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway (INCAP), an employer-led apprenticeship system that blends classroom learning with paid, on-the-job training starting in high school and extending into adult career advancement. ITAs are INCAP’s employer engagement body, giving industries a direct role in defining skills and competencies, so education and workforce systems align with what employers actually need. This work is supported by the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, which has invested in Indiana’s apprenticeship infrastructure since funding the Modern Youth Apprenticeship pilot in 2020.
How employers can engage
- Provide Input: Share your workforce priorities and skill needs to shape industry training standards
- Design Pathways: Join employer curriculum committees to build apprenticeship and training models
- Host Learners: Welcome apprentices, interns, or students for career exploration experiences
- Benchmark & Learn: Connect with peer manufacturers to share challenges and compare workforce strategies
- Access Funding: Get help navigating apprenticeship funding, state grants, and training tax credits
- Build Your Pipeline: Develop a sustainable stream of work-ready talent aligned to your specific roles
Ready to join Indiana’s employer-led workforce collaborative? Contact Jeremy Eltz to learn more.
ITA Apprenticeship stories
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How apprenticeship programs can thrive in Hoosier advanced manufacturing and logistics companies: advice from a successful CEO
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