Last Updated 2 days by Amnon J. Jobi | Amnon Front Page
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Mayor Joe Hogsett, EmployIndy, and Indy Parks launched the 2025 Project Indy summer jobs initiative on Tuesday, offering 257 positions from over 160 local employers.
The announcement was made at Frederick Douglass Park in Indianapolis, marking the start of the summer hiring season for local youth.
In 2024, over 1,575 young people in Indianapolis were connected to job opportunities through Project Indy. Here’s what you need to know about the program:
What is Project Indy?
Project Indy, which began in 2016, aims to connect young people with job opportunities to help them develop essential skills and gain work experience.
EmployIndy, which administers Project Indy, promotes the virtual platform through face-to-face recruiting at Indianapolis-area high schools, targeted social media campaigns, and at local youth hiring fairs.
Since Project Indy’s start, the program has empowered over 19,200 young adults in Marion County by providing work experiences that build their employability skills and allow them to explore new career fields. Around 339 employers have also posted open positions on the portal.
How does Job Ready Indy help?
In 2018, EmployIndy, in partnership with the City of Indianapolis and the Indy Chamber, launched Job Ready Indy, an online employability skills program focused on providing the soft skills needed to succeed in the workplace.
Courses taken through Job Ready Indy may benefit youth as they work to make connections and develope much-needed skills for future careers.
How does Project Indy work?
Youth ages 16-24 can get started using Project Indy’s virtual job board by simply texting “ProjectIndy” to 317-659-9657.
The platform uses texts to recruit and onboard job seekers, and also uses location-based tools to connect youth to nearby openings and opportunities, filtered down by interest.
Completing courses through Job Ready Indy may boost a person’s Project Indy profile, as well.
When someone completes one of the online courses, a Job Ready Indy badge will appear on their Project Indy profile – notifying an interested employer that they are deemed “job ready” by EmployIndy and the Indy Chamber.
How do I get involved?
Employers interested in hiring youth can sign up to be a Project Indy partner, while youth can join the platform by visiting projectindy.net or texting “ProjectIndy” to 317-659-9657.