Alternate career pathways help fuel
Northwest Indiana’s economic growth
In the heart of the Midwest, a quiet revolution is reshaping the future of work and education.
In Northwest Indiana, where steel mills and industry have defined the economy for over a century, a fresh generation of students is forging new paths. These students are bypassing the four-year college route in favor of alternate pathways that lead to rewarding careers.
“High school students are seeking other opportunities. It’s not that they’re anti-college; they’re anti-student loans,” said Ken Barry, Uthiverse co-founder. “Young people are way more savvy than we used to be at their age. They are looking for pathways to economic success and life success, and that doesn’t always include college.”
The shift is more than a trend. It’s a response to the state’s evolving industry needs, rising education costs and a workforce hungry for skilled labor.
As the Region positions itself for economic growth, the focus on career and technical education is critical. According to Ivy Tech Community College, 69% of open jobs in Indiana’s advanced manufacturing, logistics, health care and technology sectors require post-secondary education and training.
Regional schools, businesses and community organizations are collaborating to equip students with the skills and experiences they need for future careers. Teachers are making education more relevant and expanding access to opportunities for all.
“This diversity of both the rural and urban communities allows us to cater to a wide range of education and workforce needs,” said Nicole Rodriquez, Center of Workforce Innovations’ READY NWI director. “Each district brings its own strengths and resources to the table, creating a rich tapestry of learning environments for our students.”
To Rodriquez, these collective efforts make Northwest Indiana a standout region in the state. Partnerships are strengthening the local economy by building a skilled workforce and creating a stronger, more connected community.
“We’re not just educating students, we’re building a community that supports and uplifts each other,” Rodriquez said. “It’s all about rolling up our sleeves and working together to ensure our young people have the best possible start in life.”
The shift
The decision to pursue an alternate career path is often driven by economics and personal preference. With the return on investment for a four-year degree no longer guaranteed, students and families in Northwest Indiana are weighing the costs and benefits. Some choose routes that offer quicker, more affordable access to the workforce.
“Many students do not want to carry an enormous amount of debt coming out of college as they begin their careers. They don’t want their parents to be buried in debt as the cost of higher education continues to grow,” said Debera Hinchy, Lowell High School career and technical education teacher. “Being fully trained and certified enables them to start a career, establish themselves and make a good living wage.”
Traditional academic settings don’t fit every learner. Some students thrive in environments where they can participate in hands-on experiences — a “live sandbox,” Rodriquez calls it. Alternate paths often provide engaging, practical instruction that leads directly to employment.
“Because of the world that they live in, virtually or through social media, young people are seeing that there are other pathways to economic success,” Barry said. “They are exploring those avenues. They are aware that there are certifications and the trades.”
With industries offering lucrative positions that require specific skills or certifications rather than a bachelor’s degree, alternate pathways are increasingly appealing.
“Young people realize, ‘I don’t have to spend a lot of money. I don’t have to go anywhere for four years. I can jump right into that certification. Right into that trade,’” Barry said.
Changing education
Region high schools are transforming how they prepare students for life after graduation. Career and technical education are becoming more robust and integrated into the school experience. School programs provide pathways to industry certifications, so students are ready to enter the workforce upon graduation.
“We are seeing more students seek opportunities outside of higher ed,” Hinchy said.
Hinchy’s district invests in education that includes the trades, automotive, computer design and graphics, CNA and criminal justice.
“These programs produce qualified, talented, motivated and well-rounded students who will make a positive impact and contribute to the growth of an organization or company upon hiring,” Hinchy said. “They are qualified from the date of hire to help move the organization forward.”
Safety Glow CEO Ashton Verbish, who just graduated from Hanover Central High School in Cedar Lake, is one example.
As a junior and senior, Verbish participated in Innovate WithIN high school competitions. He pitched his idea for Safety Glow, a flashing hazard light in an X pattern that drivers can place on a vehicle. Verbish won second place at the state finals last year and is headed there again this year. He also was one of five winners in February at the first Northwest Indiana High School Pitch Competition sponsored by the Society of Innovators. He is using prize money from the competitions to create a manufacturable unit.
Verbish plans to manage Safety Glow while pursuing a business degree at Indiana University Indianapolis. He chose Indianapolis for its customer base and transportation. Verbish sees a shift in the employment landscape.
“I see a trend of going into the trades in my high school,” Verbish said. “I hope that’s the same for more high schools. I think it’s really good. The money is great, and there are jobs.”
College connections
Colleges aren’t left behind in this movement. Many are adapting to support alternative learners. Ivy Tech and Purdue University Northwest offer short-term credentials and flexible schedules that allow students to learn while they work.
Patty Rusin serves as talent connection manager at Ivy+ Career Link. The program takes a holistic approach to guiding students to career pathways.
“We try to help them figure out the right fit. We look at it from all angles,” Rusin said. “Particularly in the Region we live in, they’re often following the path their dad or uncle took. They get that stuck in their head.”
Rusin helps students see other opportunities. She brings companies on campus to discuss internships and jobs. Rusin also builds resumes with students.
“Whatever they did before, we can highlight that for a future career. If they worked at Burger King, they know about sanitation. We can build on that,” Rusin said. “Eventually they have a resume that they look at and say, ‘I’d hire that guy.’ We can say, ‘that’s you.’”
These programs bridge the gap between high school and full-time employment. They are stepping stones for students who may return for a degree later or work toward additional career-aligned qualifications.
Ivy Tech’s impact statewide is enormous. The college awarded over 46,000 credentials in 2023-2024 — nearly half of all postsecondary credentials earned by Hoosiers. More than four in five Ivy Tech graduates stay in Indiana to live and work.
Those in construction trades also have options to build on Ivy Tech’s apprenticeship programs through the PNW Pathway Program. It allows students to transfer credits from associate degrees toward a Purdue degree that will help them become a supervisor.
Tonn and Blank, which has headquarters in Michigan City, already has 16 team members enrolled since the program launched in 2021.
Representatives from Purdue University Northwest, Valparaiso University and Goshen College are members of Esperanza, a task force addressing obstacles for Hispanic students.
Steve Corona, Latinos Count executive director, is part of Esperanza. Through the initiative, he shares the Positive Pathways model his organization developed. The pathways involve enrolling in a college or university, obtaining a job, enlisting in the military, being accepted into an apprenticeship program and starting a business.
“Surveys show that one of every three students graduate from high school with no idea what they will do,” Corona said. “The primary goal of Positive Pathways is to increase the number of students who have an exit strategy from high school.”
Corona says businesses locate or expand where there are workers with the skills to staff their factories and offices.
“Programs like Positive Pathways play an important part in growing Northwest Indiana,” Corona said.
Skills-based hiring
Many employers in Northwest Indiana have adopted skills-based hiring practices. Companies are recognizing that a four-year degree isn’t necessary for many high-demand roles — what matters is readiness, reliability and relevant skills.
Employers like NIPSCO, Franciscan Health and Pratt Industries have developed partnerships with schools and training centers to create pipelines of talent.
“When you walk into one company we partner with, you feel like you walked into a ‘Transformers’ movie. Giant robots are doing the work,” Rusin said. “Our tech students are being hired to maintain them.”
According to Micah Pollack, IU Northwest professor, the manufacturing sector represents 14.5% of all jobs in Indiana. However, 25% of employees in those jobs is 55-plus.
“Industrial and manufacturing are seeking employees,” Rusin said. “They want the skills. They also want workers who can adapt and solve problems.”
Community partnerships
Recognizing the need to support students pursuing alternate pathways, organizations in Northwest Indiana have stepped up their efforts.
The Center of Workforce Innovations’ READY NWI initiative connects employers, educators and the community. READY stands for Regional Educators and Employers Alliance for Developing Youth.
“Center of Workforce Innovations takes a ‘village’ approach to help high school students receive exposure and experience with a variety of career pathways,” Rodriquez said. “Our approach focuses on inviting the entire Region to lean in with us on these efforts.”
Alvia Duncan, now pursuing her welder certificate, is one of the students the center served.
“Center of Workforce helped me with providing me information and guidance for me to achieve my goals in understanding what I want in my future,” Duncan said. “A program like Center of Workforce can help those who might struggle with finding work.”
Urban League of Northwest Indiana, United Way Northwest Indiana and Uthiverse are a handful of the organizations offering mentorship and workforce development opportunities.
“Our young people, especially in communities like Gary and places in Northwest Indiana, they’re limited on the types of careers that they see,” Barry said. “We want to expand that and expose young people to infinite opportunities and give them hands on experience with things they desire to do.”
Regional impact
The story unfolding in Northwest Indiana is one of opportunity and innovation. Students are at the forefront of a new workforce model — one that values skills, drive and adaptability. Through continued investment in alternate career pathways, the Region is keeping its economic engine running and preparing its youth for success.
“We want them to be economic changemakers,” Barry said. “We want them to be part of the growth and development of their city, the Region, the state and the nation. If we are not investing in the future right now, then we cannot have the hope or expectation of greater things in the future.” •
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