WORKFORCE DATA, DEVELOPMENT & PROGRAMS
(Portage EDC can help you gather information on data, development & programs.)
Portage's skilled workforce is trained in many areas, particularly in manufacturing and logistics. Close relationships with our high school and secondary education communities assure that business workforce needs are met. The Portage EDC partners with educational organizations and local businesses to host our annual Workforce 360 program, which allows high school students to visit manufacturing and healthcare businesses for hands-on experience.
The Center of Workforce Innovation (CWI) is Northwest Indiana's regional go-to partner for demographic and workforce information. CWI can provide customized data to meet your needs. Other good resources include Indiana Career Connect, Stats Indiana, Hoosiers by the Numbers, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and the US Census.
WORKFORCE DATA
Workforce Summary for Northwest Indiana Region, including Portage (Indiana Career Connect)
Labor Force data for Portage (ZoomProspector)
Regional Workforce & Workforce Related data (Hoosiers by the Numbers)
Regional Educational Attainment data for Northwest Indiana, including Portage (Stats Indiana)
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
What sets Indiana's workforce development apart is a seamless relationship between secondary and post-secondary educational institutions, businesses and state leadership, all with a singular laser focus on developing a career ready workforce. It is well recognized that both college bound and technical pathways are necessary to build and retain a diversely skilled workforce to support new and existing industries as they grow and develop.
Portage's educational system is well-positioned and committed to meeting current and future workforce needs.
Portage Township School System
Portage Township Schools educate students for tomorrow’s success. A strong partnership with the Porter County Career & Technical Education Center provides opportunities for students to gain experience in the top technical fields, allowing internships and opportunities for students to enter directly into the workforce. Dual credit high school programs offer college bound students a chance to earn credits that transfer to Ivy Tech, Purdue, Indiana University and other colleges. Portage EDC works closely with our area schools, including collaborating on our annual Manufacturing 360 events, to ensure students are aware they don’t need to look far for secondary education and employment opportunities after high school.
Porter County Career & Technical Education (PCCTE)
The Porter County Career and Technical Education Center is a cooperative effort of 10 area high schools, along with many of our area businesses, to provide high quality, effective, workforce and technical educational programs that prepare students for a specialized career. The PCCTE is a valuable partner in assisting our businesses with finding skilled local talent to fill job positions in manufacturing, health and other related fields.
NEO New Vistas High School
NEO New Vistas High School provides an alternative for students re-entering or re-engaging in high school.
Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana is the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system., and truly a game-changer in Indiana. With a relentless focus on aligning education and workforce development to meet the needs of employers, Ivy Tech offers career focused programs, more than 100 transferable programs, and programming flexibility to meet both student and employer needs. Ivy Tech - Valparaiso campus is located sixteen minutes from Portage. To assure business requirements are met, Ivy Tech Workforce Training employer counsellors work directly with local businesses to customize industry specific training curriculum.
Other Area Post-Secondary Education
Purdue University Northwest (Calumet/Westville 18 miles)
Indiana University Northwest (9 miles)
Calumet College (20 miles)
Valparaiso University (16 miles)
University of Notre Dame (57 miles)
Chicago area Colleges and Universities
PORTAGE 360 PARTNERSHIP
Each year Portage EDC partners with the Portage High School, Ivy Tech - Valparaiso Campus, and our local manufacturing and healthcare businesses to offer Manufacturing 360 and Healthcare 360 events for high school students. These events are designed to give students a chance to see the incredible career opportunities that Portage has to offer, including manufacturing, trades and healthcare. Students visit a variety of businesses and facilities where they are given tours and with hands on interaction. Events culminate with an interactive presentation by Ivy Tech on preparation for continued training after high school.
Our team presented before the Indiana State Board of Education and shared the fantastic success of our 360 Programs, which now serve as a model for other similar programs across the state.
WORKFORCE PROGRAMS
Indiana Career Connect
The amazingly robust Indiana Career Connect website provides all the information an employer or employee will need to navigate the Indiana's workforce opportunities. Included is data on labor market stats, job openings, employer and employee training programs and incentives, veteran services, education and training options, and a wealth of other workforce related information.
Next Level Jobs
NextLevel Jobs is Indiana's comprehensive workforce initiative to support workforce development. For Indiana residents Next Level Jobs provides free state-wide training in high-paying, in-demand industries. For Indiana employers Next Level Jobs provides reimbursements up to $50,000 to train employees in these high-growth fields.
Skills Enhancement Fund (SEF) - Workforce Training Grant
The Skills Enhancement Fund (SEF), provided by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), offers assistance to businesses to support training and upgrading skills of employees required to support new capital investment. The grant may be provided to reimburse a portion (typically 50%) of eligible training costs over a period of two full calendar years from the commencement of the project.
360 Manufacturing/Healthcare Events
Each year, Portage Economic Development coordinates the 360 Manufacturing and 360 Healthcare events for high school students. These events are designed to give students a chance to see the incredible career opportunities that Portage has to offer including manufacturing, trades and healthcare. Students visit a variety of businesses and facilities where they are given tours and some hands on interaction.