CICP News & Updates

Steve Dwyer, new President & CEO of our Conexus Indiana manufacturing and logistics initiative, penned an insightful column for the Indianapolis Star this morning on the workforce challenges facing our manufacturing and logistics industries (which still employ more than one of every five Hoosier workers, by the way).

Through nearly three decades in manufacturing (including his most recent position of Chief Operating Officer of Rolls-Royce Corporation), Steve has watched the manufacturing workplace evolve first-hand – from the stereotypical assembly line to a high-tech operations where workers are tasked with controlling advanced robotics and automated systems.  Today’s manufacturing jobs demand technical skills, critical thinking and initiative – as Steve notes, “a high school diploma doesn’t cut it” anymore.

Indiana’s workforce woes have been chronicled in a great detail on this blog and elsewhere – but Steve makes the specific point that the manufacturing industry often has a specific need for training in the two-year degree or certificate range…it doesn’t necessarily take a four-year degree.  This reflects the broader importance of so-called 'middle-skill' occupations - those that require some post-high school education/training but not a four-year degree.  A recent study commissioned by the Workforce Alliance shows that roughly half of employment today is in these middle skill fields.

Unfortunately, we also lag behind in meeting these needs – just 7% of the state’s adult population has earned an associates degree, according to statistics from the Lumina Foundation.  Worse news, we rank a dismal 35^th among states in student retention rates in our community college system.

When it comes to strengthening our workforce for the industries that truly contribute the most of Indiana’s economy, we can’t simply focus on steering more young people onto the path to a bachelor’s degree.  We have to address the full spectrum of post-high school educational opportunities – including vocational training and associates programs – to create the kind of diverse workforce that meets all of our economic needs…and prepares Hoosiers for the full range of career opportunities available.