Develop your most important asset
Your Workforce
READY NWI connects Northwest Indiana employers with local students to help build the skilled, prepared workforce of tomorrow. By partnering with READY NWI, your organization can play a direct role in preparing young people for career success while creating a pipeline of future talent for your industry. Whether you're looking to increase awareness of career opportunities, develop emerging talent, or strengthen your community impact, READY NWI can help you make meaningful connections with students across the region.
Why Partner with READY NWI?
Students are eager to explore careers, discover opportunities, and learn from professionals in their communities. Your involvement helps them gain valuable insights into the world of work while allowing your organization to:
Build awareness of careers within your industry
Connect with future employees before they enter the workforce
Develop a talent pipeline aligned with your workforce needs
Increase employee engagement through mentoring and volunteerism
Demonstrate your commitment to strengthening Northwest Indiana's workforce
Opportunities to Engage
READY NWI offers a variety of ways for employers to connect with students:
Career Coaching
Share your expertise, experiences, and insights with students as they explore career pathways and set future goals.
Job Shadowing
Provide students with a firsthand look at your workplace and help them understand day-to-day responsibilities within your industry.
Internships
Give students hands-on experience that builds workplace skills while introducing them to career opportunities within your organization.
Career Fairs & Classroom Engagement
Meet students, answer questions, and showcase the exciting career paths available in your field.
Work-Based Learning Experiences
Partner with educators and READY NWI to create meaningful learning opportunities that connect classroom instruction to real-world careers.
Let's Build Northwest Indiana's Talent Pipeline Together
Today's students are tomorrow's workforce. By partnering with READY NWI, you can help inspire, prepare, and connect the next generation of talent while supporting the long-term success of your business and our region.
"Teaming up with READY NWI and CWI has opened doors we didn’t even know were there. It’s helped us plug into the community in a real and meaningful way. Thanks to Nicky and the team, we’ve met some incredibly talented, sharp, and motivated individuals who are ready to contribute. But it’s gone beyond just student engagement; it’s sparked new partnerships, opened conversations with local leaders, and created opportunities we hadn’t imagined. It’s been a great way to support the next generation and grow our network in the process."
— Zach Thompson Vice President of Union Relations & Community Development
Attract. Train. Retain.
The Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI) creates a dynamic climate for businesses through workforce solutions based on research, relationships, resources, and results. We provide an extensive range of services and tailored solutions to meet the critical demands of workforce sustainability. Serving as the workforce entity in Northwest Indiana, CWI provides access to talent, new and existing employee training, and supports the return on your investment with our services.
Attract Talent
Leverage an extensive network of educators, partners, and programs to attract new talent to the workforce.
Job Posting and Talent Alignment System
Recruit Talent to Open Jobs
Pre-Apprenticeship Assistance
Skilled and Career Ready Candidates
Train Talent
Offer a wide array of customizable training opportunities for both new and existing staff ranging from short-term credentials to accredited coursework.
On-the-job Training
Apprenticeship Assistance
Existing Employee Upskilling
High School Equivalency (HSE) and Industry High Demand Certification Skills
Retain Talent
Provide strategic assistance for investing in the current workforce to improve retention.
Business Consulting
Labor Market Data and Trends
Training Plan Development
Measure Return on Investment (ROI)