The Markle Foundation
HR&A supported the design and implementation of Skillful Indiana, adapting Colorado’s successful model to address the state’s workforce challenges. Launched in October 2018, the initiative includes a Governor’s Coaching Corps serving cohorts of 35 career coaches who collectively assist 3,500 individuals monthly, and an online Coaching Community of Practice connecting coaches across states for peer learning and resource sharing.
Indiana needed coordinated approaches to connect dislocated workers, veterans, underemployed individuals, and first-time jobseekers with quality employment opportunities. HR&A engaged workforce development stakeholders including the Governor’s Office, higher education institutions, employers, and foundations to identify the state’s most pressing workforce challenges. Collaborating with Skillful, we designed initiatives tailored to tackle these specific issues while building on proven approaches from Colorado. HR&A assisted with recruitment and hiring of key positions and developed a comprehensive implementation plan through 2019, including budget and staffing frameworks.
The Governor’s Coaching Corps has completed its second cohort, supporting nearly 70 coaches who serve diverse populations facing barriers to employment. Beyond the Coaching Corps, Skillful Indiana launched the online Skillful Coaching Community of Practice, creating a virtual space for Colorado and Indiana career coaches to network, share resources, and learn from one another. This multi-state community strengthens coaching practice by enabling professionals to address common challenges collectively while adapting solutions to their local contexts, demonstrating scalable approaches to workforce development that value collaboration over siloed service delivery.
