Policy Choices for Indiana's Future (Policy Choices I)

Education & Workforce Development Commission

Developing the highly skilled workforce necessary for economic growth in a knowledge economy

In tough economic times, policymakers are more challenged than ever to identify options and pursue changes—especially when it comes to retaining and creating jobs. To complicate matters, we are experiencing a large-scale transformation from a manufacturing, goods-producing economy to a global, knowledge-based economy. Indiana is looking for every way possible to retain and create jobs, and to train the workers needed to fill them.

In the past, separate adjustments to our education and workforce development systems might have sufficed. But increasingly, the lines between education and employment have become blurred, the systems increasingly interdependent, and the pursuit of knowledge for employment's sake a lifelong endeavor. In this climate, there needs to be more coordination between learning and working. The seamless integration of the education, workforce development and business communities is essential to future economic growth in Indiana.

This is the central premise of the report of the Education and Workforce Development Commission. What's important now is that state leaders understand the root challenges of our changing economy, the shortcomings of our current educational and workforce development systems, and the choices available to turn things around.

An Educated Workforce: One Key to Indiana's Economic Future is a policy brief from the IU Public Policy Institute based on the full report.

Members

  • Co-chairs
    • Jamie Merisotis, President and CEO, Lumina Foundation (and member of the IU PPI Board of Advisors)
    • Jeff Terp, Vice President for Engagement, Ivy Tech Community
  • Commissioners
    • Brad Bishop, Executive Director, OrthoWorx
    • Caterina Blitzer, Vice President for Development and External Affairs, International School of Indiana
    • Dan Clark, Executive Director, Indiana's Education Roundtable
    • Carol D'Amico, Ph.D., Senior Advisor for Education and Workforce, Conexus
    • Mark Gerstle, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Cummins (and member of the IU PPI Board of Advisors)
    • Craig Hartzer, Ph.D, Director, Executive Education Program, School of Public and Environmental Affairs
    • Dewayne Matthews, Vice President of Policy and Strategy, Lumina Foundation
    • William Plater, former Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Faculties Emeritus, IUPUI
    • Anne Royalty, Ph.D., Professor of Economics, IUPUI
    • Zachary Scott, President, UPS Ohio Valley District
    • Patrick Shoulders, Partner – Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel & Shoulders, LLP, IU Board of Trustees (PPI Board of Advisors)
    • Michael Twyman, Ph.D., Director of Grants Programs, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust