READY FOR COLLEGE
READY FOR WORK
READY FOR A CAREER
Our Commitment
READY NWI is an acronym for Regional Education and Employer Alliance for Developing Youth in Northwest Indiana.
Our mission is to empower students with the tools, skills, and connections they need to succeed in college, careers, and beyond. Through strong partnerships with schools, businesses, and community organizations, we strive to foster a collaborative environment where innovative ideas and actionable strategies flourish.
We are committed to supporting educators, inspiring students, and addressing the evolving needs of our regional workforce. By cultivating meaningful relationships and promoting best practices, we aim to create lasting impacts that benefit individuals, families, and the broader community. Together, we are building a brighter, more prosperous future for Northwest Indiana.
“Membership in READY NWI is essential for higher education institutions. It cultivates a dynamic, collaborative environment where educators, employers, and community partners unite to drive regional economic growth. Through shared expertise and resources, READY NWI ensures that students graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in an evolving job market, ultimately enhancing our region's economic and social vitality.”
— Dr. Dorothy Frink, Interim VC for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management
Who we are
Center of Workforce Innovations is a multi-management nonprofit workforce development organization with its finger on the pulse of employment, education, and economic development in Northwest Indiana. READY NWI (Regional Educators and Employers Alliance for Developing Youth) is a critical initiative within CWI that has connected regional employers, educators and community partners since the grassroots effort started in 2010, serving 43 school districts in seven counties.
Recently through a legislative bill CWI also serves as an intermediary for students across Northwest Indiana through sources within the Intermediary Capacity Building and Career Coaching grants for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. The READY NWI consortium is perfectly positioned as the platform to extend these connections by exposing youth to career pathways while creating a pipeline of talent for the many in-demand careers for employers in the economic growth region.
In our 25-year history, we have intentionally partnered with employers, K-12 educators, post-secondary institutions, community organizations, and economic and workforce development professionals. READY NWI is committed to improving educational opportunities and career development for the future of Northwest Indiana’s workforce. The Center of Workforce Innovations’ ‘village” approach focuses on inviting the entire region to lean in with us on these efforts to help high school students receive experience, exposure, and engagement to a variety of career pathways. Career Coaching initiative alone, we leveraged with five community partners to coach onsite throughout the region in 38 schools, serving 7 counties. Serving as a workforce intermediary affords READY NWI to lead intentional sector-specific collaboration on opportunities for students to explore, experience, and engage while assessing the alignment of curriculum with employers to in demand occupationst. The impact Center of Workforce Innovations brings to Northwest Indiana is a prosperous talent pipeline that is sustainable and relevant contribution to NWI ‘s economic engine.
