In this episode of Crossroads Connects, Deanna Patena, President and CEO of Crossroads Chamber, sits down with Nicky Rodriguez, Director of READY Northwest Indiana (Regional Educator and Employers Alliance for Developing Youth), to explore the vital intersection of education and workforce development.
They unpack the upcoming changes to Indiana's high school diploma and what it means for students, employers, and the future talent pipeline. Nicky shares how READY NWI is collaborating with schools, businesses, and community partners to prepare students for success through career coaching, real-world experiences, and innovative programs like South Shore FAME. Learn how employers can get involved, how workforce development drives economic development, and why today's youth are more prepared—and more worldly—than ever before.