A 2-3 year experience that provides a paid job, career credentials, and college courses while still in high school.
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 working with high schools, employers, and higher education partners to launch this program in the Indiana Uplands.
UpSkill provides a 2-3 year opportunity for both the student and the employer. Participating students gain paid employment with on-the-job and related classroom instruction. ROI provides support with student applications, interviews, placement, trainings, and ongoing guidance.
How does it work?
Students are identified in their sophomore year in high school and participate in interviews. After being selected by employers, they begin their journey in their junior year with a 10-12 hour a week placement. In their senior year, students build up to 15-20 hours per week, which can lead to full or part-time employment, advanced training, or college coursework the third year.
Potential Career Pathways
Advanced
Manufacturing
Automation & Robotics
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Design & Technologies
National Security
& Defense
Cybersecurity
Information
Assurance
Engineering
Life
Sciences
Biotechnology
Medical Device
Development
Production Technologies
Business
& IT
Information Technology
Human Resources
Finance & Marketing
How is this different from an internship?
UpSkill is a longer experience for both the student and the employer that provides a multi-year placement and supporting instruction for a specific occupation. Activities at the worksite include on-the-job training and exposure to career possibilities. Additional training includes opportunities that align with industry requirements.
| Activities | Junior Year | Senior Year | Post Graduation |
|---|---|---|---|
| At The Worksite | 10-20 hours per week | 15-20 hours per week | Full or part time employment |
| Additional Training | Industry recognized certifications | Industry recognized certifications | Advanced training or college coursework |
Which schools are participating?
Edgewood HS, Owen Valley HS, Mitchell HS, Orleans HS, and North Lawrence Career Center are participating in the pilot year.
The schools will assist in recruitment, academic/career pathway alignment, monitoring, and scheduling. Each student will also have a mentor that will provide support throughout the UpSkill program.
Interested students are encouraged to fill out the UpSkill Interest Form:
Which employers are participating?
Participating employers include SAIC, Indiana Limestone Fabricators, Texacon & Bedford Limestone Supplies, FiveStar Technology, Even Automation, RTC Communication, Graber Post Building, German American Bank, VET Environmental Engineering, and World Arts. More employers will be signing on as we grow. Interested employers can contact ROI for information on how to participate.
For more information, please contact Jen Staab, Career Connections Specialist, at (812) 287-8116 or jenstaab@regionalopportunityinc.org.
Recent UpSkill News
- UpSkill Work and Learn welcomes students and employers
ing! Last week, ROI conducted its second signing day and orientation for students and employers participating in our pilot high school work and learn program. - UpSkill Work & Learn Signing Day
The first cohort of the UpSkill Work & Learn program celebrated with a Signing Day! - ROI awarded youth apprenticeship funding from Ascend Indiana
Regional Opportunity Initiatives is excited to be selected for the Indiana Youth Apprenticeship Accelerator award that will serve to accelerate the implementation of ROI’s UpSkill Work and Learn Initiative and the region’s industry cluster strategies.