Lessons from Indiana's Apprenticeship Model

The vaunted Swiss model for youth apprenticeship has long been a beacon for U. S. business, workforce and educational leaders seeking more efficient and effective systems for preparing high school students for high-skill careers in the fast-evolving U. S. economy. Thanks in large part to the leadership of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation and its iLab Indiana coalition of 300+ leaders in business, K-12 education, higher education, nonprofits, philanthropy and government, the state of Indiana has taken a giant step forward to developing a Swiss-like apprenticeship system at scale.

Starting in 2026, the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway (INCAP) will offer multi-year apprenticeships for high schoolers that combine classroom learning and paid, on-the-job training in industries like banking, manufacturing and health care. In future years, INCAP will add industry-led programs for adults that combine coursework and paid on-the-job training.

Please join us on October 22 (4:30 to 5:30 pm PDT), when Fairbanks Foundation chief executive officer Claire Fiddian-Green will share insights about her organization's role in launching iLab and the importance of this work in meeting Indiana's 2034 vision of an education-to-workforce system that provides all learners with access to high-quality education and training options.

Please join us on Zoom and extend this invitation to all in your networks with an interest in expanding opportunities for youth and adult apprenticeship.