Area Businesses Join Together for Indy Career Success Initiative

Indy Chamber News Archives

Junior Achievement of Central Indiana hosts JA JobSpark event for Marion County 8th graders

INDIANAPOLIS – Junior Achievement of Central Indiana will host JA JobSpark, a hands-on two day career expo for all Marion County 8th graders, on September 29 and 30 in the West Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

The event is meant to “spark” an interest in students and get them excited for their future. Students will learn about skills needed for jobs that will be in demand when they graduate, while utilizing equipment that is used in those jobs daily. Students will get a better understanding of the courses they need to take in high school, a track for post-secondary education and a clear career pathway for what they find they’re interested in.

A coalition of Central Indiana educators, organizations and representatives from more than 100 companies are working in partnership on this career success initiative, led by Junior Achievement of Central Indiana. Almost 3,000 volunteers from companies throughout the Indianapolis area will be there to engage with students throughout the day.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development provided JA with a grant through Skill UP Indiana. There will be one million jobs to fill in Indiana by 2025, and through these grants, the Department of Workforce Development is helping organizations implement strategies aimed at ensuring Indiana citizens have the skills necessary to fill these jobs. Skill Up grants are designated specifically for industry-led, cross-sector regional partnerships like JA JobSpark.

“This community-wide collaboration will positively impact the futures of thousands of central Indiana students as they are inspired and empowered to pursue career pathways aligned with their individual interests, talents and strengths,” said president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Central Indiana, Jennifer Burk. “We’re excited to be a part of this powerful movement to ensure our kids are prepared with the skills required to fill much-needed jobs here in Indiana.”

Major sponsors of JA JobSpark include: Presenting Sponsor, Eli Lilly and Company, plus DEFENDERS, Delta Air Lines, IU Health, and Salesforce.

ABOUT JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF CENTRAL INDIANA
Junior Achievement of Central Indiana, Inc. (JACI), in partnership with the business and education communities, provides hands-on learning experiences for central Indiana students in the areas of career exploration, work readiness, entrepreneurship, financial literacy and philanthropy.
JACI serves thousands of students each year in central Indiana, and has a Board of Directors to support this mission and our core values: conviction in the impact of experiential education, belief in partnerships and the potential of all students, commitment to the principles of economics and entrepreneurship, and a passion for what we do. For more information, visit www.jaindy.org and www.jajobspark.org.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Heidi Harmon | [email protected] | 317-275-2043