Greater Lafayette Commerce, Lafayette School Corp. unveil new way for regional high school seniors to graduate

Greater Lafayette, IN – The Greater Lafayette region is leading the way in the state’s efforts to reinvent high school.
 
Greater Lafayette Commerce and Lafayette School Corp. today announced an initiative that enables regional students to combine their post-secondary options with locally available career opportunities.
 
Called the Career+ Locally Created Graduation Pathway (LCP), the program guides high school students seamlessly from graduation to local, in-demand, entry-level jobs, apprenticeships or college internships in the region's fastest-growing industries.

By choosing this pathway, students not only graduate high school with job experience and immediate employment opportunities but also enjoy generous tuition support benefits, which help them acquire credentials and advance in their careers while pursuing a college degree.

Those who opt for the LCP will earn three college credits through their coursework, as well as participate in video chats, on-site tours, job shadowing and work-based learning with local employers.

“The new LCP is designed to empower students with unique opportunities, nurture their individual interests and strengths and inspire students to accelerate their earning potential and opportunities for career advancement. This LCP not only provides an additional way for students to meet Graduation Pathways, it also exposes students to the workforce opportunities within our community,” said Dr. Laurie Rinehart, assistant superintendent for secondary curriculum and instruction, Lafayette School Corp. "We extend our gratitude to the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) for recognizing the value of our vision and approving this pathway, marking a significant step toward a more personalized and impactful experience for our students throughout the Greater Lafayette community.”

Approved by the SBOE Jan. 11, 2024, the LCP was collaboratively developed with input from neighboring school districts, prominent regional employers and Ivy Tech Community College.

The LCP meets a significant demand in Greater Lafayette, where six in 10 students are opting for alternatives to a conventional four-year college degree program. Furthermore, it marks the region’s first large-scale effort to help all students achieve upward social mobility through the career pathways provided by advanced manufacturing, health care and supply-chain/logistics employers in Greater Lafayette.

“Unlocking opportunities for students is most effective when school, community, higher education and workforce leaders collaborate to devise localized solutions. I commend the collaborative efforts in Greater Lafayette to create inventive pathways that allow students to acquire skills and hands-on experience prior to graduation, providing them with a distinct advantage in their future education and careers,” said City of Lafayette Mayor, Tony Roswarski.

The LCP also aims to address the region’s workforce needs. Fueled by its $7.3 billion advanced manufacturing sector, Greater Lafayette’s continued economic success hinges on inspiring local emerging talent to explore opportunities in the advanced manufacturing, health care and supply-chain/logistics industries.
 
By 2030, the advanced manufacturing and healthcare industries are projected to create 5,242 and 2,237 jobs, respectively, in Greater Lafayette, underlining the importance of preparing our youth for the workforce demands of the future.

Over time, employers anticipate that the localized pathway will play a crucial role in the recruitment and retention of local talent.        

“Local talent attraction is a priority for Indiana University Health. It is paramount that students are aware of the wide array of health care career opportunities that are offered in their own backyard. Intentional partnerships with schools help expose students to in-demand health care careers that align with their unique interests, skills and abilities,” said Matt DeGolyer, talent acquisition team lead, Indiana University Health.

More than 100 regional teachers are committed to making this new graduation pathway accessible to students at the following schools: Attica Consolidated School Corp., Faith Christian School, Frontier School Corp., Lafayette Catholic School System, Lafayette School Corp., Metropolitan School District of Warren County, Tippecanoe School Corp., Tri-County School Corp. and West Lafayette Community School Corp.

As part of the LCP, Career+ partners with the following companies to lead students directly into employment after graduation: AccuBurn Inc., Advanced Auto Parts, Antique Candle Co., Ball Corp., Caterpillar Inc., Cives Steel Co., Cook Biotech Inc., Copper Moon, Cryogenic Industrial Solutions, Dana Inc., Evonik Ind., Franciscan Alliance Inc., Girtz Ind., Harrison Steel Castings Co., Ice Cream Specialties Inc., Indiana University Health, Jordan Manufacturing Co. Inc., Kirby Risk Precision Machining, Kirby Risk Service Center, Kuri Tec Corp., Lakeside Book Co., Nucor Corp., Oscar Winski Co., Phoenix Paramedic Solutions, Primient, Rea Magnet Wire, Saab, Steiner Ent., Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc., Trilogy Health Services LLC, Twin Lakes Dental, Valley Oaks Health, Wabash, Waelz Sustainable Products, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Solutions, Westminster Village, Whallon Machinery Inc. and White Oak Health Campus.

The SBOE and IDOE both played crucial roles in the development and approval of the graduation pathway.

“Thank you to the SBOE and the IDOE – the availability of LCP to Greater Lafayette students is a direct result of their partnership and thought leadership. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to the forward-thinking employers that have backed this initiative from the beginning. Their commitment is commendable, and we look forward to the successes that will emerge from their continued support,” said Kara Webb, director of workforce development, Greater Lafayette Commerce.

Greater Lafayette Career+ serves 15,242 students from 11 school corporations. To date, more than 5,000 students have participated in Career+ Experiences.

This month, 598 students are registered to participate in over 50 different Career+ events. Next month, over 600 students are registered to participate in HireME!, the region's largest hiring event.
 

Media Contact:
Michelle Brantley
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Greater Lafayette Commerce
(765) 742-4044
mbrantley@greaterlafayettecommerce.com
 
About Greater Lafayette Commerce:
Headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana, Greater Lafayette Commerce is a nonprofit membership-driven organization, whose roots date back nearly 97 years. Supported by both local industries and governments, its mission is to advance economic and community prosperity for a superior quality of life. 
 
About Greater Lafayette Career+:
The Career+ program was started by Greater Lafayette Commerce, in collaboration with Ivy Tech Community College and Skyepack, a West Lafayette company that designs online interactive educational systems for a broad range of clients. IDOE grants funded the program which is dedicated to helping area K-12 students explore their career options and develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the workforce. The organization offers a variety of programs and services, including career coaching, job shadowing, internships and more. For more information, visit careerpluspathways.org/greaterlafayette. 
 
About Lafayette School Corp.:
The Lafayette School Corp. family nurtures and inspires the promise of our youth. Students are empowered to invest in themselves and the community. The school district thrives in a tradition of excellence. LSC pride is visible in staff, students and alumni. For more information, visit lsc.k12.in.us.
 
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