In celebration of the 20th Annual Workforce Development Month, the Valparaiso-based Center of Workforce Innovations is highlighting the success of Work B.I.G. (Beauty In Gary).
Mayor Eddie Melton initiated the project in his first year in office. He partnered with Lisa Daugherty, CWI president and CEO, to bring together workforce and education partners to build a training program to help clean up the city while building up its workforce.
In collaboration with Ivy Tech Community College, Goodwill Industries of Michiana and WorkOne Northwest Indiana, Work B.I.G. was developed to offer 8+ weeks of paid, hands-on training in high-demand skills. The work-based learning program began training its first cohort in April 2025, graduating 19 participants in June 2025.
“Each participant in the Work B.I.G. program plays a crucial role in transforming our neighborhoods and restoring hope among residents,” Melton said in a press release. “Not only are they enhancing their skills and preparing for important roles in the public works sector, but they are also demonstrating how we can build a stronger and more vibrant Gary.”
The training curriculum was developed with input from local leaders, educators, faith-based organizations and workforce experts to ensure it reflected the needs and aspirations of Gary residents in concert with the city’s Public Works Department.
“This program is a reflection of Gary’s spirit—resilient, collaborative and forward-thinking,” Daugherty said. “By listening to our community, we’ve built a training model that prepares people not just for jobs, but for meaningful careers.”
Training includes certifications in OSHA 10-Hour General Industry, HAZMAT and the regional work ethic certificate, along with instruction in:
- Work professional etiquette
- Financial and digital literacy
- Safety and environmental awareness
- Tree abatement and vegetation management
- Mental wellness
- Demolition and deconstruction awareness
“I started the Work B.I.G. program because I needed help finding employment. I was getting frequent rejection, and it was starting to make me want to give up,” Shaneka Mayfield, who recently accepted a heavy equipment operator position with the Gary Sanitation District, said. “From our very first day, I have been inspired by everyone in my class and the awesome administrators who put this program together. Work B.I.G. has helped me to let my light shine.”
