Some Indiana companies are looking for employees who have both some level of education and work experience.
(Greg Vojtko/U.S. Navy)
Some large Indiana employers say job candidates should have higher education experience to remain competitive, though they also value work experience.
Last year, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce released the Indiana Prosperity 2035 initiative, which stresses the importance of an educated workforce to promote economic growth. By 2035, the Chamber hopes for 70 percent of Hoosiers to have a degree, credential and/or certificate.
Hoosiers without post-secondary education are more likely to be unemployed and fail to participate in the economy.
Eric Halvorson, Kroger spokesperson for the central division, said Kroger is open to hiring people with various levels of experience, and looks for employees with determination and commitment. Yet he still sides with the Chamber’s initiative and believes some college education is important.
“The goal is that for everyone, some level of additional education is going to be necessary, not just personally but for the success of a store, the success of a family and the success of the community,” Halvorson said. “Everything relies on all of us being better as individuals, and as members of the community.”
Eric Halvorson, Kroger spokesperson for the central division, said Kroger has programs to help train new employees and help them build a career. (Zoom)
Halvorson said 700 people are employed at Kroger in Bloomington, and there are more job opportunities than what people see at a grocery store. He said Kroger leaders want their employees to have a career, not just a job.
Even people without a college degree have built successful careers at Kroger, Halvorson said. If people want to work in a certain department within the company, there are other programs available to help train them.
“We don't want to lose anyone,” Halvorson said. “We want to bring all the talented people in who are interested and willing to commit to Kroger because we are willing to commit to them for the long term.”
Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana, said he looks to hire middle management and higher-level employees who have at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering, finance and accounting. When it comes to line crews, he looks for people who have some background in mechanics and running a generation facility, or have done a relevant internship.
“We prefer if they've [employee candidate] had some technical training in line work prior to joining us, but we provide that training as well if they haven't, and a fairly extensive apprentice program with respect to learning,” Pinegar said.
As the economy continues to grow and attract employees that do not necessarily have a college degree but have some technical training, Duke Energy has continued to promote their own educational programs to stay competitive, Pinegar said. Duke Energy has donated foundation dollars to support the development of daycare facilities, STEM programs for K-12 and opportunities for college graduates to earn more degrees.
Pinegar said Indiana needs a more educated workforce as demand continues to grow dramatically with new manufacturers and companies.
“I know that it doesn't necessarily have to be a four-year degree,” he said. “I think that's recognized. I think that a two-year degree or technical training is equally important and we need the broad spectrum of workers.”
Pinegar said Duke Energy is continuing to attract employees from Indiana looking to start and build a career.
“We're not growing unless our communities are growing,” Pinegar said. “There needs to be an attraction to those communities, whether it be quality of place or a good place to work.”
