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Indiana’s economic strength is rooted in major industries—life sciences, logistics and manufacturing—anchored by Fortune 500 leaders like Elevance Health, Eli Lilly and Co. and Corteva Agriscience. The Indianapolis metro area alone boasts a gross domestic product of $162 billion, ranking among the top 30 regional economies in the nation. But behind the numbers, a different story is playing out in neighborhoods.
From 2007 to 2021, job growth in the metro area’s high-income sectors grew just 22%, short of the 42% average among peer metro areas. That lag suggests a critical challenge: Without robust investment in talent development, Indiana could fall behind in the race for economic opportunity and innovation.
Indiana has one of the highest rates in the nation of 16- to 24-year-olds who are neither in school nor working. In Marion County, this disconnection is compounded by systemic racism, hiring bias and the stigma of juvenile justice involvement. Black residents face unemployment at nearly twice the rate of white residents. For youth with a criminal record—even without conviction—the chance of a job offer drops by nearly 50%.
At Voices Corp., we live these realities. The young people in our day reporting program come from 36 Indianapolis ZIP codes, most flagged by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department as violent crime “hot spots.” Many are over-age and under-credited in school or have already dropped out. These are not statistics, They are young people who want to work, contribute and build a future but who lack access and support to do so.
Employment offers structure, mentorship, stability and hope. Without targeted, trauma-informed workforce training, young people cycle back into disconnection and re-offense. Indiana’s juvenile recidivism rate is 33%—but workforce programs like Conexus Indiana’s Catapult cut that to less than 10% among participants. That’s millions in taxpayer savings and leads to a stronger economy.
If Indiana wants to compete, it must recognize youth as an untapped workforce pipeline. Just as billions are invested in roads, ports and broadband, equal urgency must be applied to building the infrastructure of human potential.
Advanced industries demand adaptability, problem-solving and cross-cultural fluency. Businesses can fuel this by partnering with schools and nonprofits to design project-based learning aligned with industry needs or by offering paid internships to embed real-world learning in K-12 education.
Mentorship is equally critical. When young people connect with leaders who share their cultural background, they gain professional skills and confidence in their ability to succeed. Businesses can formalize these pathways, linking emerging talent with seasoned professionals. Removing barriers matters, too. Transportation stipends, paid training and wraparound supports ensure students—especially those from historically excluded communities—can fully participate in career-building programs.
As Indiana attracts more global investment, companies need leaders who can navigate diverse teams and markets. Supporting programs that blend cultural expression with professional development—such as arts-integrated STEM camps—prepares leaders who are technically proficient and culturally agile.
But success must be measured differently. It’s not enough to count internships offered or workshops hosted. Businesses should track how many students enter industry pathways, earn credentials and return to Indiana to build lasting careers. That data-driven accountability sharpens strategy and ensures long-term impact.
Indiana’s economic future will not be decided only in boardrooms or at the Statehouse. It will be determined by whether young people from 46218, 46226, 46235 and every other ZIP code in our city believe they have a future worth staying for.
The next generation of innovators, engineers and leaders is already here. What they need now is for Indiana’s business community to open doors, share resources and invest with the same urgency we bring to every other sector of growth.
Because talent is the new currency—and our young people are Indiana’s most valuable asset.•
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Wright is executive director and co-founder of Voices Corp.
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