INDIANAPOLIS — A new partnership between the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Workforce Excellence (IWE) and the Indiana Latino Institute (ILI) aims to strengthen work-based learning engagement among Latino students.
Specifically, the two groups are collaborating on increasing internship matches for students involved with ILI’s internship and fellowship programs. This strategic initiative will give ILI access to track student participation in internship experiences, allowing the organization to reach deeper levels of student support and improve student work-based learning outcomes.
IWE will offer employers the opportunity to connect with ILI programming through its Work and Learn Indiana program, which has the potential to offer additional work-based learning funding. This program also allows employers access to a larger and more diverse candidate pool and can help train, skill, and retain outstanding employees.
“Building a robust talent pipeline is at the forefront for the Indiana Chamber and the Institute for Workforce Excellence, whether that’s through goals promoted in the Chamber’s Indiana Prosperity 2035 visioning plan or various programming efforts and partnerships at IWE,” says Todd Hurst, executive director of IWE. “Collaborating with ILI is a key aspect of fulfilling that mission and will allow more students to find success in obtaining high wage, high demand, quality work-based learning experiences.”
Hurst adds, “We are thrilled to be working with ILI to offer employers the opportunity to connect with talented students, with the hopes that those students will gain a wealth of experience, skills, and credentials during the process.”
ILI placed nearly 100 students at high-quality internships across Indiana in 2023 and hopes to continue this momentum in 2024.
“Our partnership with the Institute for Workforce Excellence underscores our dedication to empowering Latino students and creating pathways to success in the professional world,” says Marlene Dotson, president and CEO of ILI. Real-world experience matters, and through this partnership, we’re ensuring that Latino college students not only graduate with degrees but also with the practical skills needed to excel in their professions.”
Employers can start connecting with ILI students through work-based learning opportunities at www.workandlearnindiana.com. For more information about the internship and fellowship programs offered by ILI, visit www.indianalatinoinstitute.org/programs/education/internships.
