Indiana Chamber, Aspire team up to expand work-based learning across Indiana

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 7:46 AM

By Staff report

Work and Learn Indiana, an initiative of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Workforce Excellence, is partnering with Aspire Johnson County to help more employers connect with educators and open the door to meaningful, work-based learning opportunities for students and future talent.

This collaboration enhances Aspire’s and the Institute’s employer engagement efforts, including an accessible, interactive map that enables employers across Indiana to identify and share career-relevant activities they offer or would like to offer. These opportunities include job shadowing, classroom presentations, informational interviews, site visits and other meaningful work-based learning activities that extend well beyond traditional internships.

“Through this collaboration, we are gaining valuable insight into how local chambers can help close gaps between employers and educators while building more equitable and systematic access to career exploration,” offers Sally Saydshoev, executive director of the Institute for Workforce Excellence. “The updated Work and Learn Indiana platform makes it easier for employers to participate while enabling educators, students and parents to explore opportunities and connect directly with companies across the state.”

Together, Work and Learn Indiana and Aspire Johnson County aim to build quality and capacity in work-based learning while supporting local economic vitality and shared prosperity.

“We are excited to collaborate with the Indiana Chamber’s Institute for Workforce Excellence,” says Amanda Rubadue, vice president of economic development for Aspire. “This work allows us to better align education and industry, expand access to opportunity and strengthen our workforce pipeline.”

Work and Learn Indiana is also holding an informative virtual workshop on August 25 designed to help employers, educators and community partners better understand Work and Learn Indiana and EARN Indiana, two statewide programs that support high‑quality work‑based learning opportunities for students. Register at www.workandlearnindiana.com/events.