Aspire Johnson County Launches Educator-Led Outreach Team to Boost Workforce Connections
Aspire Johnson County is taking a major step toward strengthening the future workforce by launching a new Outreach Team. This initiative equips local educators to serve as advocates for Aspire’s School to Work program, helping connect employers with schools and promote meaningful work-based learning opportunities for students.
“Aspire is working with a team of area teachers and guidance counselors who will serve as outreach coordinators, reaching out to businesses with the goal of increasing employer participation in our School to Work program,” said Amanda Rubadue, Vice President of Economic Development at Aspire.
“We’ve contracted with four teachers and guidance counselors that will be meeting with employers, sharing with them about our School to Work program and providing them with opportunities to get involved with students and developing the workforce pipeline in Johnson County and southern Marion County.”
The Aspire School to Work program is designed to grow work-based learning opportunities for students across the region, giving them real exposure to potential career paths while also helping businesses shape the next generation of talent.
Aspire hopes to increase both internship and apprenticeship placements as a result. Jennifer Hollingshead, Aspire’s School to Work Specialist, emphasized the significance of educator involvement.
“I’m happy to have teachers and school counselors in the community speaking with employers about getting involved in Aspire’s School to Work efforts,” she said. “I think it will be impactful for employers to hear first-hand how students and teachers have benefitted and to learn more about getting involved.”
The outreach team will focus its efforts throughout the month of June, with the goal of ramping up participation in time for the 2025–26 school year.
“Having additional employers involved means more work-based learning opportunities to area students,” Hollingshead said. “Letting students experience different industries first-hand helps develop their skills and soft-skills and makes them more work-ready.”
Aspire sees this collaboration between schools and local businesses as a win-win for the community, building a more skilled and connected workforce from the classroom to the workplace. Contact Jennifer Hollingshead at jhollingshead@aspirejohnsoncounty.com to learn more or get involved.