Building the Workforce Employers Need

Published, April 26, 2026, NWI Times

NWI Works, a collaborative workforce development initiative in Northwest Indiana, has created a bootcamp designed to strengthen skills that are often missing in otherwise qualified job candidates. These essential abilities help employees be more productive, navigate workplace challenges, and position themselves for long-term career success. They are not technical or job-specific skills – they are employability skills.

The Importance of Employability Skills

Employability skills, also known as “soft skills” or “durable skills”, are developed through education, work, and personal experiences. Demonstration of employability skills is a graduation requirement in Indiana. They include work ethic traits such as self-discipline and professionalism, as well as learning strategies like problem-solving and decision-making.

While employers expect candidates to demonstrate these skills, many individuals have not fully developed them in ways that support their career goals.

Lisa Daugherty, president and CEO of the Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI) and the board president of NWI Works, has worked closely with employers, schools, and technical education centers. Through this experience, she recognizes the disconnect between job seekers and employability skills.

“There may not be consistent emphasis or enough emphasis in the schools,” Daugherty said about employability skills in the classroom. Another concern that affects the development of these skills is the use of technology. “People don’t talk to each other the same way in the digital world. Basic communication skills have been disrupted because of technology.” She also noted a lack of exposure to workplace expectations and an understanding of how to prepare for success on the job.

When education systems prioritize training over employability skills, graduates may struggle to maintain employment or advance in their careers. Recognizing this gap, Daugherty and the organizations that make up the NWI Works saw the need for an intervention.

“People don’t think they need intervention with a lot of jobs available,” explained Daugherty. “We started taking a closer look at individuals coming in and looking at how long it was taking them to get a job and retain a job from the time they walked in our doors. It was taking far too long. So when we started really looking into what was happening, we realized that folks had issues with digital literacy. They didn’t have good resumes that truly reflected their skills and experience. Even when we improved their resumes, we could get them interviews, but they weren’t succeeding in the interviews. At the end of the day, people aren’t as ready as they think they are.”

Fast Track to Top Jobs Bootcamp

To address these challenges, NWI Works developed the Fast Track to Top Jobs Bootcamp – an alternative that goes beyond traditional classroom instruction. Participants begin with four weeks of foundational “workforce readiness” training before moving into industry-specific pathways aligned with regional job demand.

Daugherty explained the intent behind the program. “The bootcamp was created as a short term, intensive, tough love workshop that would really help people understand what employers are looking for. Every single employer that I ever met with over 5 years talks about this need for people with strong work ethic, good soft skills, and strong employability skills.” And the bootcamp delivers on those employers’ requests.

According to NWI Works, participants enrolled in the bootcamp attend for four hours a day, four days a week, for four weeks. During this time, they build skills in work ethic, reliability, and punctuality; communication and active listening; teamwork and collaboration; professional behavior and customer service; time management and organization; problem-solving and critical thinking; and workplace safety and compliance. These skills are developed through simulated workplace scenarios, role-play exercises, and real-word employer interactions.

People who want to work or need a program like the bootcamp will set themselves on the right path to success. However they may have barriers that hold them back from that progress. Participants who commit themselves to the Fast Track to Top Jobs Bootcamp program are eligible for stipends and incentives that offset barriers like childcare, transportation, making it easier to complete the program. Most importantly, graduates become stronger candidates for potential employers.

“Employers want those graduates because they have demonstrated that they can show up on time and do the work,” Daugherty pointed out. “When they leave with their certificate of completion, they have a greater understanding as to why these skills are important to employers.”

Initiatives like this are made possible through the collaboration of the NWI Works partners, including Center of Workforce Innovations, Goodwill Industries of Michiana, United Way of Northwest Indiana, and Ivy Tech Community College. Together, they connect the unemployed and underemployed with in-demand training and career opportunities.

The first bootcamp cohort began in April in Gary with another cohort starting June 2 in Michigan City. Those interested in preparing for long-term workplace success can learn more at nwiworks.org.

“Learning and demonstrating skills can’t be taken for granted,” said Daugherty. “The Fast Track to Top Jobs Bootcamp addresses that. Tens of thousands of people in Northwest Indiana need it.”