News Release
WARSAW — The Indiana Philanthropy Alliance hosted one of its five Regional Forums at the Whitko Career Academy on Wednesday, June 21. The northeast Indiana Regional Forum, which was focused on career training, was sponsored by OrthoWorx and showcased collaborations occurring in Whitley County to address critical issues and how ‘Next Level Whitley County’ led to the formation of the Whitko Career Academy.
The day drew nearly 80 participants from around the region and across the state who were provided with a tour of the WCA, engaged in a range of strategic planning activities, and treated to two expert panels, one of which was moderated by OrthoWorx Talent Director Nichole Rouached. The industry-focused panel moderated by Rouached featured several OrthoWorx partners, including Miriel McFarland, director of education and training at Instrumental Machine & Development, Travis Christman, vice president of quality and regulatory at Medartis and Andrea LaBarbera, vice president of global talent for Zimmer Biomet.
During the discussion, panelists talked about how important education programs like the Whitko Career Academy are to the future of the workforce and the issues that employers are facing regarding the current talent crisis and employability of the next generation. They discussed the programs and initiatives their respective organizations have created to support their employees. The panel also answered questions from the audience about internships, working with diverse talent, and how they would work with the schools in the absence of a talent crisis.
Presently, it is difficult for industry to imagine a different talent market. Still, with or without a constrained talent market, the need for educational collaboration between industry and educators will always remain. This is especially true in industries like medical device that demand a high degree of advanced manufacturing expertise. Because of needs like this, environments such as WCA are so critical for the future.
“The Whitko Career Academy provides a tremendous opportunity for students and people in our community to learn critical skills needed for an array of meaningful careers,” said LaBarbera. “For the orthopedic industry, it creates a strong pool of talent equipped with the advanced manufacturing and precision machining skills that can be hard to find in today’s labor market. The WCA helps students identify career pathways as early as eighth grade by leveraging instructors and mentors embedded in the local workforce. It also offers training for adults and support services for formerly incarcerated individuals as they transition back into the community.”
One attendee, CEO of K21 Health Foundation Rich Haddad, noted, “The entire experience at the event was eye-opening, as I now realize how much connection there is in the challenge our community faces in talent recruitment and retention. I was reminded how much quality of life, wellness opportunities, and other life experiences matter to the people who make up the workforce needed for our businesses. I also really enjoyed the story of how the Whitko Career Academy was developed and taking part in the great tour during the day to see all the different ways they are training the workforce of our future. If they can do it, other communities can, as well—very inspiring.”
During the tour, attendees were able to check out the extensive facilities at the Whitko Career Academy, such as the ‘Machine and Manufacturing Lab’ with state-of-the-art CNC machinery, labs for plasma cutting, engineering, and welding, a full industrial kitchen, an ag barn, a greenhouse, and two health science labs for students to practice patient care.
Rouached noted, “We’re so grateful to IPA for hosting this event at an exceptional educational program. OrthoWorx is committed to supporting both education and industry in creating transformative experiences that lead students to meaningful careers. WCA has been a model for this, leveraging resources to address many talent issues. How they simultaneously support high school students and formerly incarcerated individuals that are transitioning back into the workforce is something that Kosciusko County and our partners in the Orthopedic Capital of the World will continue to benefit from as industry collaborations with education grow.”
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