As part of a grant from the National Science Foundation, the South Bend - Regional Partnership is hosting local stakeholders to engage with Credential Engine, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, and Lumina Foundation, as participants spend the day brainstorming project solutions to illuminate Indiana’s learn and work ecosystem.

Connecting data systems to enhance education & workforce pathways

Data and well-built data management systems are increasingly becoming critical to building successful education and workforce pathways, but it’s not easy to figure out what information is available and how everything connects.The South Bend - Elkhart Region has made tremendous progress in figuring out key pieces of this puzzle and we want to celebrate these advances, highlight several related initiatives, and build commitments to taking this work even further.

Bridging the feedback loop between education and industry

Technological changes within the economy are causing massive disruptions within regional economies and the businesses that seek to grow at the rapid pace of the global economy. As industries and workplaces change, so do the skills required to be successful within those organizations. Meeting participants will explore ways in which the Credential Engine platform may be leveraged to support creating more effective channels of collaboration between education and employers so that the institutions producing talent are able to adapt to the economic changes in stride with industry.

Come join us on January 17th to help us celebrate progress and steer future projects.

With financial support from a National Science Foundation Convergence Accelerator grant, we’d like to invite you to come celebrate the designation of the South Bend - Elkhart region as a 21st Century Talent Region and learn how you can get engaged with these pioneering initiatives.

Specifically, you will work closely with other leaders to:

• Promote a shared vision of a connected learn and work ecosystem
• Learn more about what it means to have South Bend - Elkhart region as a 21st Century Talent region
• Review emerging prototypes and initiatives designed to support Indiana learners and employers

Event Details

Aloft South Bend Hotel

111 N Main St, South Bend, IN 46601

Agenda Overview

8:30 am - 9:30 am 21st Century Talent regional designation ceremony

Prior to our daytime event, the South Bend-Elkhart region invites you to join them as the State of Indiana designates the region a 21st Century Talent Region. In partnership with the Office of Career Connections and Talent, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and with technical assistance from CivicLab, the 21st Century Talent Region initiative encourages local governments, businesses, educational institutions, nonprofits, and economic and workforce development partners to create and implement a plan to increase educational attainment, raise household income and grow the population in a region. In order to receive this designation, participating regions take a comprehensive, systems approach to identify strategic priorities and projects aimed at helping its communities create a better quality of place, develop and skill up its workforce, and connect talented Hoosiers with businesses seeking to fill high-demand, high-wage jobs.

Learn more about the 21st Century Talent Region initiative and other designated talent regions.

10:00 am - 4:00 pm From Data Silos to Data Solutions

Join data specialists, policy practitioners, industry leaders, and education and workforce experts to define and describe the most important ways data affects the lives of people in Indiana. Together, we’ll evaluate the current landscape, identify gaps where better data connections could improve efficiency and impact, and build a peer network to move us from ideas to action.

10:00 a.m. Welcome

10:15 a.m. Connecting to the Work

10:30 a.m. NSF Phase I Grant, Credential Engine Overview and Navigation

11:00 a.m. Connecting Learners and Employers

11:35 a.m. The Future of Credentialing & Talent Development

12:00 p.m. Lunch

12:30 p.m. U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Pilot

1:00 p.m. Voices from Industry

1:30 p.m. Demonstration of Future Career Tools: Bendable and Career Coach

2:30 p.m. Breakout Groups

3:15 p.m. Report Outs

3:45 p.m. Wrap Up and Next Steps

4:00 p.m. Closing

We hope to see you there!

Indiana Career Connections and Talent

South Bend | Elkhart Regional Partnership

Indiana Commission for Higher Education

Lumina Foundation

Credential Engine

For questions, please email: events@credentialengine.org