INDIANAPOLIS – The Indy Chamber launched a new service in collaboration with EmployIndy and Ascend Indiana today to address immediate unemployment challenges in our regional workforce due to the impact of COVID-19. Rapid Response Talent augments existing services, focusing on the skills and experience of a job seeker, and organizing a talent pool that employers and employment partners with available positions can access based on the needs of their unfilled roles. By working together, lessons learned through this short-term initiative will inform and support the long-term workforce solutions of the Indy Chamber’s collaborators.
“As the weeks go by, the topics of conversations we’ve held with businesses impacted by COVID-19 have evolved,” notes Indy Chamber President and CEO Michael Huber. “Phase one was all about health, safety, and business model changes. Phase two has been focused on financial assistance, and we anticipate the next wave will center on human capital. This new platform leverages the expansive Indy Chamber network of employers to fast-track job search to employment in the face of this unprecedented time.”
Employers, recruiters, and employment partners can share opportunities and gain access to talent. Job seekers are asked to fill out a short 5-minute form outlining job functions and skills, joining a searchable talent pool. Employers, employment partners, and job seekers can sign up via response.indychamber.com/jobs.
“There is tremendous demand from our workforce on connection to new opportunities,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. “While EmployIndy and Ascend Indiana continue to develop long-term holistic workforce solutions, Rapid Response Talent is a short-term solution to an immediate need, leveraging the vast employer network of the Indy Chamber to connect our local workforce with jobs.”
The employer connections of the Indy Chamber for this effort are strengthened by collaborations with the workforce experts of EmployIndy and Ascend Indiana to compliment the ongoing programming of these and other related organizations. As an example, high school and college students, as well as recent grads of each that express interest in Rapid Response Talent will be referred to the more targeted programs already in place to more effectively address their unique needs.
“The goal is simple: accelerate the connection between employers and available talent,” said Liz Huldin, leader of Catalytic Talent and consultant for the Indy Chamber. “Like any major job market, Indy has employment gaps, and a situation like coronavirus only complicates these challenges. We feel that by positioning ourselves as a supportive and action-oriented employer community, we increase our ability to retain and attract talent individuals now and in the future.”
“All residents deserve the opportunity to secure a living wage and grow in their career,” notes Angela Carr Klitzsch, EmployIndy President and CEO. “Our community and its workforce are hurting right now. This initiative compliments EmployIndy’s business sourcing efforts in the near-term and builds on the strong relationships across our business community to connect talented individuals to employment.”
“Ascend Indiana, through the Ascend Network talent platform, works to create connections between college students, recent graduates, and employers,” said Jason Kloth, President and CEO of Ascend Indiana. “We are eager to come alongside the Chamber to address the immediate needs of job seekers at this unprecedented time.”
This new service adds to a growing number of offerings under the umbrella of the Indy Chamber’s response to COVID-19. Through the Chamber’s Rapid Response Hub, small business owners can find answers to questions, evaluate options for financial assistance, and discover new promotional opportunities. More information is available at response.indychamber.com.
