White County, Indiana is at the center of a workforce of well over 297,000 hard-working individuals who share our region’s longstanding work ethic. Our agricultural heritage and Indiana’s longtime manufacturing leadership have created a workforce that’s not afraid of hard work and proud of a job well done. In addition, Indiana is a right-to-work state, so employers face few labor issues.

We keep that workforce strong through educational programs for all ages. That commitment to preparing good workers begins with our four county school districts, each of which offers employer-focused programs for in-demand skills such as welding, and logistics and distribution. The Indian Trails Career Cooperative is a multi-county provider serving eleven districts and over 5,000 high school students with programs in advanced manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, engineering, logistics, welding, and other high-demand fields.

The White County Council strengthened local education programs by hiring a career counselor who connects employers, educators, and students to serve their needs. The counselor focuses on students who graduate from high school, but are unlikely to attend a four-year college, delivering training on resume writing, interviewing skills, and other soft skills.

Our area is also well-served by postsecondary providers. Ivy Tech Community College offers a Certified Production Technician program, supporting practical needs in the manufacturing sector with 140 hours of study, plant tours, and four certification exams. In addition, Purdue University and the Purdue Research Park are just 30 miles (48 km) down the road.

White County businesses also benefit from state-funded workforce training programs such as Skill UP Indiana, which provides funding to support networks of employers, educators, economic and workforce development partners, and other critical community partners to promote and strengthen Indiana’s workforce.