Northeast Indiana Works and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) hosted an employer-focused informational session February 3 at Sweetwater in Fort Wayne.
Attendees learned about Power Up Indiana (www.in.gov/dwd/power-up/), a new reimbursement workforce training grant program approved by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, and an internal talent development program at Sweetwater.
Tony Denhart, executive vice president of workforce and training at the IEDC, addressed Power Up, which aims to celebrate companies already leading in upskilling; shift Indiana’s economic development focus toward talent capacity; equip more employers to do the same through clear incentives and accessible tools; and strengthen regional and sector-based partnerships that can scale impact statewide. One of the requirements of Power Up is that employees who complete training receive a 25% wage increase.
Dr. Kristal Walker, vice president of learning and talent development at Sweetwater, said talent development begins in the pre-boarding phase and hiring managers must be adept in effectively working with candidates. Once hired, she said, employees are interested in an environment that gives them confidence in capabilities to do good work, has simple processes to scale receptive tasks, and offers support with personal and professional development.
Also speaking at the session were Edmond O’Neal, president and CEO of Northeast Indiana Works; Kim Tempel, vice president at Northeast Indiana Works; Kim Brant, vice president of workforce and training at the IEDC; and Jeff Ostermann, senior vice president and chief people officer at Sweetwater.