Community Economics & Workforce Development
Purdue Extension aims to assist Indiana communities to have thriving and resilient economies, quality infrastructure and sustainable job opportunities for its residents. This thematic area provides evidence-based community-led programming for local and regional organizations as well as traditional programming for businesses and individuals. The ultimate goal is to assist local communities and key decision-makers to collaborate on policies and growth strategies in target sectors to drive economic growth for counties, regions, and all of Indiana.
Signature Programs
Becoming the Employer of Choice
This program is geared towards current and future farm and other business managers/owners looking to improve their human resource management skills. This popular program, developed by University of Wisconsin Extension, is designed to improve human resource skills through hands-on activities and interactive sessions.
Business Retention & Expansion Program
Purdue Extension's Business Retention & Expansion Program coaches the community taskforce on the process of how to enact this community based economic development strategy addressing both company and community needs.
Digital Ready Business
The digital age is here and having an online presence is very important for businesses. Digital Ready provides businesses with the basic knowledge to have an online presence or ramp up an existing one. By incorporating an online presence strategy, businesses will become more competitive and sustainable.
Experience Incubator
Experience Incubator is designed to harness the power of entrepreneurial thought and action to translate 50+ years of experience into the skills and mindset needed to develop a business. Lessons are designed to demystify entrepreneurship and help participants understand how they have been acting entrepreneurially all their lives, be it managing a home, balancing family and career, running a farm, etc.
FORWARD – Future Opportunities for Rural Workforce and Rural Development
The FORWARD curriculum is designed to support Cooperative Extension Professionals (CEPs) working to address workforce development issues in rural communities. This project expands upon Cooperative Extension’s experience with youth engagement and career development to target non-traditional student populations such as incumbent, displaced, and low-income workers.
On Local Government
On Local Government provides local elected officials and community leaders with timely information and resources about the local government revenue system, legislative changes, the state budget, and other issues that impact local government finance. The programming consists of webinars and regional programs which provide information on local and state government public finance. In addition to webinars and workshops, On Local Government provides an array of resources for understanding local government finance.
Remote Work Certificate
Remote work is any form of work in which you are not required to regularly commute to and work from a centralized location. Since 2005, remote work has grown by 173%. This means that regardless of where you live, there are work opportunities which you can take advantage of today.
Work Ready
The purpose of the Work Ready program is to teach life skills necessary to increase the number of qualified applicants for the job openings in the United States. This 10-session curriculum is designed for high school students and displaced adult workers.
Collaborative Projects
Succession Planning
Families planning the transfer of farms to the next generation of operators seek information and resources. The succession planning process includes considerations for financial well-being, farm management and risk assessment. It is crucially important for families to properly develop plans that address the transfer of ownership and management.
DIGITAL SKILLS Lessons
Building digital skills is a vital component in the effort to make Internet resources more available and equitable. The Digital Skills Lessons aim to build these essential skills to help advance quality of life through the resources available through the Internet.
Upcoming Events
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