About a month ago, Gregory Hunt was homeless and jobless.
As a resident of the Horizon House shelter, he learned about a new job program offered by EmployIndy called “PowerTrain Indy.” Shortly after his discovery, Hunt was enrolled in the program and received two weeks of training to become certified through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
During that time, he also became certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); forklift operation; logistics; and materials management.
Immediately after completing the PowerTrain Indy program, Hunt was hired at OSP Group filling product orders for a national retailer.
“This opportunity has changed my life,” said Hunt, who is saving his earnings for an apartment and a vehicle.
EmployIndy, a local entity whose charge is to deliver workforce services to Marion County residents, hopes the PowerTrain Indy program produces more outcomes like Hunt’s. Their ultimate goal is to provide training to 400 residents through 2015, and provide free employment opportunities for companies that offer competitive wages. The method: targeting specific areas of the city, specific demographics and businesses looking for skilled employees.
“Employers say employees are missing soft skills such as getting to work on time or how to interact with fellow employees. A lot of times its G.E.D. related. Some employers need specific skills like how to work a certain type of machine,” said Ron Harrison, director of WorkOne Operations, North, East and West. “We’re trying to eliminate that gap between employer need and lack of skill.”
EmployIndy manages the WorkOne network in Marion County and invests public and private funds for job training and education services. The group recently rolled out the PowerTrain Indy program, which provides funding for businesses to develop job training, which ensures workers have the right skills employers need. Eligible residents will then receive training to earn the skills needed for careers. After receiving customized training, participants are awarded industry-recognized credentials.
Training and job opportunities are primarily focused in the health care, information technology, advanced manufacturing, logistics and life sciences areas.
“These aren’t surviving jobs, but are life sustaining jobs,” said Harrison.
In addition to providing training, EmployIndy will provide additional services through WorkOne for program participants. This bonus is a plus for people who are already skilled but simply need an opportunity. EmployIndy will also track participants to help gage the success of the program.
Businesses that participate in PowerTrain Indy will have access to a Business Solutions representative who will help them design customized training and provide hiring expertise.
What makes PowerTrain Indy different, and arguably limiting, is that it directly benefits businesses and residents in and around downtown Indianapolis and the immediate revitalization area that surrounds it including Mass Ave and 16 Tech; and neighborhoods such as Haughville, Douglass Park, Riverside Park, Garfield Park, Martindale-Brightwood, Holy Cross and the United Northwest Area.
“We recently had our first town hall meeting under a new organization called One Voice Martindale Brightwood. And we’re going to be rolling out a new quality of life plan,” said Josephine Rogers, executive director of the Martindale Brightwood Community Development Corp. “We’re also working on housing and infrastructure and we’re included in the PowerTrain Indy boundaries. We’re beginning to see a whole new landscape for Martindale Brightwood.”
Harrison explained that employment is not guaranteed, however program participants increase their marketability when properly credentialed.
Businesses eligible for training grants must operate within the redevelopment zone and have job openings.
Residents are eligible for training if they are 18-years of age or older, are unemployed or underemployed with a median household income just under $32,000 and reside in and around the redevelopment zone. PowerTrain Indy is free of charge.
A total of $1.5 million has been allocated for the PowerTrain Indy program. The financing comes from city revenue generated from the establishment of a tax increment financing (TIF) district, meaning PowerTrain’s downtown and surrounding areas received city funds specifically used to spur job and business growth.
Local officials are excited about the PowerTrain program and worked hard to get the TIF district established.
“When Vop (Osili) and I got on the City-County Council, one of our biggest issues was unemployment, ex-offenders and underemployed. We saw the TIF as an opportunity to say ‘if you want city money, we want you to employ Marion County people only,’” said Joseph Simpson, City-County Councilor who represents District 9.
Osili, who represents District 15, added that while PowerTrain Indy doesn’t include anything specific for ex-offenders, there could be incentives for businesses that hire people with a criminal past.
WorkOne’s Harrison said that slowly but surely residents are signing up for PowerTrain Indy but he ultimately hopes people make the best of the opportunity.
For more information, call (317) 228-0682; email PowerTrain@EmployIndy.org; or visit EmployIndy.org.
