Overview
Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI) is committed to advancing workforce development across Northwest Indiana by offering solutions that cultivate regional talent and meet the evolving needs of employers.
The Opportunity
Recognizing its pivotal role in driving economic growth and adapting to national shifts in workforce development, CWI embarked on the creation of a new strategic plan to position Northwest Indiana as a leading regional workforce hub—where individuals and communities can thrive. To achieve this, CWI understood the need to align all sectors of the regional workforce ecosystem. In response, CWI partnered with SmallBox to engage both existing and potential partners in co-developing a shared vision and strategic priorities for the organization, as well as for the broader region. This collaborative effort has fostered collective action and sparked a spirit of innovation throughout the region.
Our Work
Over six months, we engaged stakeholders from all seven counties of Northwestern Indiana through community listening sessions. By centering the voices of unemployed and underemployed individuals, community partners, policymakers, educators, youth, and employers, we gathered insights, experiences, and aspirations for the region’s future economy.
The process began with a regional convening, where we posed a key question to stakeholders: “What do we want for the future of workforce development in our region—and why?” Guided by this discussion and supported by an Industry Landscape Review, we conducted interviews, focus groups, and surveys to uncover the region’s challenges and opportunities.
Building on the insights from these conversations, we organized an interactive workshop where regional stakeholders collaborated on solutions, ranging from the small and tactical to the large and visionary. Together with CWI, we synthesized the results into a cohesive set of Goals, Strategies, and Progress Indicators that will shape CWI’s priorities for the next five years, driving tangible outcomes for clients and the region as a whole.
The Result
Together, we aimed to create a strategic plan as dynamic as Northwest Indiana itself—one that won’t just sit on a shelf. The CWI 2023-2027 Strategic Plan reflects the belief that when organizations and individuals collaborate, workers, employers, and communities all can prosper.
