Regional Opportunity Initiatives is working in the Indiana Uplands on strategies focused on connecting education and industry to create a workforce that is prepared for the demands of regional employers. The following list represents some of ROI’s current education and workforce initiatives:

Ready Schools

The Ready Schools initiative is a design-thinking framework to support school districts in aligning their PK-12 curricular and programmatic offerings to the educational and workforce needs of the Indiana Uplands. Learn More »

STEM Fellowship

ROI’s STEM Fellows initiative fosters a network of skilled STEM educators & leaders throughout the Indiana Uplands. Learn More »

Career Coaching Fellowship

ROI’s Career Coaching Fellowship strengthens the skills of individuals serving in coaching roles in the Indiana Uplands. Learn More »

UpSkill Work & Learn

UpSkill offers students the chance to discover career interests and pathways they cannot learn in the classroom and employers the opportunity to grow their workforce. Serving as the intermediary organization, ROI is facilitating this program that offers 2-3 year opportunities for students and employers. Learn More »

Career Awareness

ROI has created a series of regionally specific career awareness videos. Sixteen videos focus on key sectors, job exploration, and job shadowing. Complementary curriculum, worker profiles, job descriptors, pathway sequencing, and postsecondary programming options are also included. Learn More »

Educator Boot Camp

This week-long experience exposes teachers, counselors, and school leaders to the wide variety of industry jobs available in the Indiana Uplands. Learn More »

Student-Run Businesses

In the Indiana Uplands, hundreds of high school students are gaining real-world work experiences through student-run businesses. Learn More »

Digital Fabrication UpLabs

ROI is supporting digital fabrication labs in schools in the Indiana Uplands. With state-of-the-art equipment and instruction, these labs are developing a region of makers ready to excel in the next generation of advanced STEM careers. Learn More »

Occupational Needs Assessment

The Occupational Needs Assessment highlights the education and workforce needs of the advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and national security and defense sectors in the Indiana Uplands. Learn More »