Building a Stronger Community through Education and Workforce Development

By: Linda Speed, President and CEO, Community Foundation of Southern Indiana

Linda Speed, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Southern Indiana

Background

Over the last year, the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana has worked with the Indiana University Southeast Applied Research and Education Center to survey Clark and Floyd county residents, nonprofit community service organizations, business and community leaders, and our own fund holders to develop a community-wide needs assessment. Having this comprehensive report will allow the Community Foundation to develop strategic community goals based on our region’s needs and priorities and will be used to guide the Community Foundation in its grant making to support the community’s greatest needs. Basic human needs, education and workforce development, healthful living, economy, arts and culture, and community building were the areas highlighted in the report.

What Was Shared?

While respondents shared that they are proud of this community, its history and culture and they feel safe and enjoy opportunities to engage in the community, they also recognize that more needs to be done to better meet the needs of local residents and build an educated workforce and a strong economy.

Importance of Education and Workforce Development

The importance of education and workforce development were constant themes throughout the report because they play a role in many aspects of quality of life and community well-being. More specifically, we know that increasing our region’s educational attainment can help us build a stronger economy, meet our basic needs, address health and wellness, support a vibrant arts and cultural enrichment, and build a strong and engaged community.

Priorities for Education and Workforce Development in Southern Indiana

1. High school completion
2. Early childhood education and care (birth to age five)
3. Post high school certificates and associate’s degree programs
4. Educational opportunities targeting working adult learners
5. College scholarships and financial assistance

Public data on both economy and education suggest that, in fact, all of these areas should be priorities for the region because they all play a critical role building a stronger economy and better quality of life for the region.

What’s Next?

Southern Indiana is fortunate because we are a strong and connected community with a range of resources. Clark and Floyd counties are home to four public school districts, a community college, a regional public university, and the area has a number of private and charter school options for primary and secondary education. Additionally, programs like Education Matters Southern Indiana and 55,000 Degrees provide a range of opportunities to help people re-engage to complete a degree or quality certification program.

Knowing who we are and where we stand as a community is an important step in the process to improving our economy and workforce development. Now, it’s time to come together – individuals, community leaders, businesses and nonprofits – to address these highest needs and priorities that our own community identified so that we can begin to build an economy and community that will continue to grow and prosper for generations to come.

Both the complete 2015 Assessment of Needs and Priorities in Clark and Floyd Counties and the Education and Workforce Fact Sheet can be found on the Ambassador Resources page of this blog.