INDIANA – Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) is facilitating UpSkill, a modern youth apprenticeship program designed to provide high school students in the Indiana Uplands region with a unique blend of paid job experience, career credentials, and college coursework. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world career opportunities, while also helping local employers cultivate their future workforce.
ROI proudly celebrated a powerful milestone with the fourth cohort of its UpSkill Work & Learn program. Fifty-three high school students took a bold step toward their futures, committing to paid apprenticeships that blend hands-on experience, college coursework, and industry-recognized credentials. With pathways in fields like advanced manufacturing, national security and defense, life sciences, business, and IT, these students are not just preparing for jobs—they’re launching careers.
UpSkill is a comprehensive 2 to 3-year program that offers students a paid position with on-the-job training and related classroom instruction. ROI serves as the intermediary, providing crucial support throughout the process, including student applications, interviews, placement, specialized training, and ongoing guidance for both students and employers.
How the Program Works: Students are typically identified in their sophomore year and undergo an interview process. Upon selection by a participating employer, they begin their apprenticeship in their junior year, working 10-12 hours per week. In their senior year, hours increase to 15-20 per week, potentially leading to full- or part-time employment, advanced training, or continued college coursework in a third year post-graduation. Unlike traditional internships, UpSkill offers a longer, multi-year placement with integrated instruction tailored to a specific occupation, ensuring deep exposure and skill development.
Diverse Career Pathways: The program opens doors to various high-demand sectors, including:
- Advanced Manufacturing: Automation & Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Design & Technologies
- National Security & Defense: Cybersecurity, Information Engineering Technologies, Acquisition & Logistics
- Life Sciences: Biotechnology, Medical Device Development, Production Technologies
- Business & IT: Information Technology, Human Resources, Finance & Marketing
Participating Schools and Employers: Numerous high schools across the Indiana Uplands are participating, assisting with student recruitment, academic alignment, monitoring, and scheduling. Each student is also assigned a mentor for ongoing support and guidance. Partner schools include Barr-Reeve, Bloomington Academy of Science & Entrepreneurship, Bloomfield, Brown County, Eastern Greene, Edgewood, Loogootee, Mitchell, North Lawrence Career Center, Orleans, Owen Valley, Salem, Shoals, and Washington High Schools.
A growing list of employers is actively involved, providing invaluable work experience. Current participating employers include Bedford North Lawrence Schools, City of Bloomington Parks & Rec, COSMOS, Diamond Stone Technologies, German American Bank, Graber Post Building, Indiana Safety & Supply, Ivy Tech, Mainstream Fiber, Mitchell Schools, MSP Manufacturing, PRD, Regional Opportunity Initiatives, Rel-Micro, Richland Bean Blossom Schools, RTC Communications, SAIC, Salem Schools, Smithville Communications, Stone City Products, TASUS, TexaCon & Bedford Limestone Suppliers, The Peoples State Bank, True RX Health Strategists, and TrueScripts, among others.
Get Involved: Interested students are encouraged to fill out the UpSkill Interest Form. Employers seeking to expand their workforce through youth apprenticeships can find more information and sign up via the Employer Interest Form.
For additional details, contact ROI directly at 812-287-8116 or via email at upskill@regionalopportunityinc.org.
