Grow Allen, a new nonprofit organization that aims to increase the number of adults in Northeast Indiana with marketable credentials and college degrees, had its first executive director on the job before his first day on the job. He was labeled as optimistic.
The fast-growing organization launched last October with support from Allen County’s four school districts and was singled out months later in a Don Wood Foundation study as a pioneer in developing inclusive career paths.
The Allen County Technical Education Ecosystem Report, released in April, cited Grow Allen’s widespread acceptance prior to implementation, representing a collective effort to increase career readiness and opportunity for students. He pointed out that he was doing so.
Working together to overcome artificial boundaries, such as school district lines, is a key focus of the Fort Wayne-based foundation’s research, which is looking at six other northeastern Indiana counties. has published research.
“This approach has many benefits, including adaptability to industry needs, workforce changes, and trends,” Patrick Busching, Don Wood’s vice president of strategic initiatives, said in a statement. Ta. “It is also important to focus on student success, as we expand (career and technical education) opportunities to improve access to training and increase work-based learning options.” It means engaging with the rich spirit of.”
Grow Allen is about pooling resources to address local issues, particularly the statistic that only 43% of the adult population has a marketable qualification or a two-year or four-year degree. said Ron Turpin, board chairman.
“This is really about, ‘How do we mobilize the resources of our community to do something different?'” he said.
Marketable certifications include industry certifications such as Applied Robotics in Advanced Manufacturing and Certified Nursing Assistant in Health Sciences.
Turpin said Grow Allen, a primarily privately funded convening organization, was created after conversations among education, business and nonprofit leaders who agreed there was a need to improve educational attainment in the region. Ta.
Instead of providing direct services, Grow Allen will have five to six staff members who will foster collaboration and partnerships to strengthen effective practices, identify weaknesses and close gaps, Turpin said. said.
Its four focuses are early learning, life skills, work-based learning, and advocacy. Turpin said these pillars support the overall goal of all students graduating high school knowing what they want to do and having the tools to succeed.
“We bring together K-12 educators, higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, and business leaders to provide career paths for every Allen County graduate,” said Park Ginder, executive director of Grow Allen. “We strive to provide strong options.” Since July.
Ginder, who retired as Southwest Allen County Schools’ superintendent in June, acknowledged the schools are competitive. While each wants to be the best in areas such as track and field, marching band and art, he said the educators are willing to put aside such friendly competition for the greater goal.
The superintendents of the East Allen County, Fort Wayne Community, Northwest Allen County, and Southwest Allen County school districts serve on the 10-member Grow Allen Board of Directors.
“At the end of the day, school officials want what’s best for kids, so the conversations at each school across the county are very similar,” Ginder said. “We are in a special time where sharing resources and supporting children, no matter where they live, can really help us move forward as a community.”
Polaris
Increasing local educational attainment isn’t just Grow Allen’s priority.
The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership and the Northeast Indiana Strategic Development Commission have shared this goal in recent years, along with two other goals: population growth and increased per capita personal income.
Turpin, the commission’s chairman, said that when the organization developed its regional strategic plan, it found that fewer than half of Northeast Indiana’s adults had a marketable credential or degree. “I see,” he said. He recognized that improved educational attainment rates have the potential to have a positive impact on overall wages and attract jobs that drive population growth.
“I believe that achieving this degree qualification is our north star in achieving our goals as a region,” Turpin said.
Allen County students typically graduate from high school. State data shows more than 90% enrolled in college in 2022. But the numbers also show that only 57% of that cohort enrolled in college right away.
Turpin said he wonders about people who didn’t pursue higher education. Specifically, he questions how many people have careers that lead to successful lives.
“That means they have enough money to be able to buy a home and live a solid middle-class life,” Turpin said. “Because that doesn’t exist in the work we do today.”
A joint report released in August by the Don Wood Foundation and Cuesta Education Foundation emphasized the importance of an educated and trained local workforce.
The number of high-demand, high-wage jobs requiring postsecondary credentials will increase by more than 5,600 across 13 occupational groups in Northeast Indiana over the next five years, according to the Postsecondary Education and Training Advancement Study. It is expected that. Approximately 1,900 people are medical-related.
The report says jobs that are in high demand and pay well are at low risk of automation, require some form of post-secondary qualification, and meet living wage standards. The average wage for these jobs is $34.28 per hour, or about $71,000 per year.
Turpin said Grow Allen wants its students to graduate high school with the tools to succeed and the knowledge of what they want to do.
“As a community, we want to work on increasing the tools available to our kids, and it takes all of us,” Ginder said. “We will have to think differently in some cases, but there are a lot of great programs going on in the county and a lot of support at the school and business level (and local politicians). There are great minds.” Leaders. ”
foster new ideas
Ginder cited his experience as a principal and superintendent to explain the value of convening organizations that unite people toward a common goal.
“From a district and building level standpoint, there are things we didn’t have the time to pursue that we wanted to pursue,” Ginder said, noting that it took years to reach an agreement on a high school program involving SACS and local unions. To develop. “We have some really, really creative people in our schools and businesses, but very few of us are dedicated to bringing new ideas to life. I think that’s important.”
Ginder’s first few weeks as executive director included conversations with 17 public and private high schools in the county. He asked headteachers and leaders what their schools need to do to better support their students.
Ginder said transportation was one of the themes that came up, explaining that the location of the program impacts enrollment. Students are less likely to participate in a program the farther it is from their school, so it’s important to have community spaces that meet their needs.
Ginder does not limit his discussion to the field of education. He has sought input from employers who understand the need for experience and learning opportunities to develop their employees.
“More importantly, they understand the need to provide opportunities for students to learn and explore post-secondary possibilities,” Ginder said. “We have great business opportunities locally, but outside of retail and culinary options, many students have never seen what manufacturing looks like today, or run a business. We don’t know about the countless professionals working to make the business logo, but what about the manufacturing, mechanical, robotics, manufacturing maintenance, finance, and logistics fields? I don’t actually know. The list is endless.”
Ginder has connections with local government leaders in places like Fort Wayne and New Haven. Because they have resources like corporate engagement experts and economic development experts. We also know which companies are looking for help and have the potential to provide learning experiences for our students.
Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker said in a statement that it is important for the community to work together to identify needs and opportunities and help guide young people as they decide which fields to pursue.
“Fort Wayne’s viability and sustainability depends in large part on how we prepare our future leaders as they graduate from high school and enter the workforce or attend college.” she said. “Partnerships with businesses, local governments and other organizations are part of our commitment to becoming a community of well-trained and skilled workers in a variety of fields to meet the current and future needs of employers. It helps us realize our mission and vision.”
New Haven Regional Development Director Zach Waschler said in a statement that the city supports the efforts of local schools and education nonprofits to provide career-ready education.
“Through the work of East Allen County Schools and education nonprofits in Northeast Indiana, we are committed to helping students in New Haven and Northeast Indiana prepare for employment, the military, or post-secondary education. I am confident that I will be well prepared for the next step after high school, which is education,” said Waschler.
Ginder said Allen County has a lot of talent working in youth development. He cited leaders at the Boys and Girls Club of Fort Wayne, Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana and the Region 8 Educational Service Center as examples. He added that representatives from the Northeast Indiana plant and Greater Fort Wayne Co. have also been key to revitalizing Grow Allen’s work.
Ginder’s arguments extend beyond Allen County. He met with career and technical education leaders in DeKalb County, along with leaders from Elkhart and Columbus, Indiana.
“There are a lot of initiatives like this going on in different communities across the state, and networking with them is very encouraging,” he said.
The Don Wood Foundation’s Technical Education Report says Groh-Allen’s intention to break down the silos between education and professional departments is invaluable.
“Foster collaboration across roles, from educators to business leaders, and build integrated networks that support students’ transition from education to employment,” the report says. “This collaborative effort is essential to advancing the future of education and career readiness in our region.”
Ginder said Grow Allen is gaining momentum.
“Based on early conversations with schools, business leaders and higher education institutions, we expect to see expanded opportunities,” he said.
Turpin is optimistic about Grow-Allen’s ability to make a difference. He hopes Ginder will encourage other community leaders to get involved.
“The success of this project will depend on the overall partnership and willingness of a wide range of people to collaborate on this project,” Turpin said. “It’s about bringing together probably hundreds of people in different pillars and having a big conversation about making a change here, making a change here, making a change here. And over time, , which will lead to the big changes we are talking about.”
