Wayne County Area Chamber Partners with All Six County Schools to Launch New Role

With Indiana’s new diploma requirements set to take effect for the graduating class of 2029, communities across the state are working to prepare students for a future that includes both academic achievement and real-world readiness. In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with all six school districts in the county to establish a new position: Director of Employer Engagement.

This new role is designed to strengthen the talent pipeline across Wayne County by expanding and aligning work-based learning opportunities for students in grades 9–12. By building bridges between local businesses and schools, the Director of Employer Engagement will help ensure that students graduate with both the knowledge and the hands-on experience needed for future success.

​“When the state announced the changes for the high school diploma, I knew it was going to take a community to achieve the results we needed,” said Centerville-Abington Superintendent Mike McCoy. “When I asked for the first meeting, I had no idea where it would take us. Working in collaboration with so many individuals and seeing true collaboration between the schools, I knew we had something special. It will be challenging to place students throughout Wayne County in positions that meet the state requirements, but it will be just as rewarding to see our communities come together to meet the needs of these amazing kids. Although I know there will be areas we will need to figure out, I truly feel we are in a good place to get the program started and prepare for a better future for our students.”

Participating schools include:
• Centerville-Abington Community Schools
• Nettle Creek Schools
• Northeastern Schools
• Richmond Community Schools
• Seton Catholic Schools
• Western Wayne Schools

Leaders from each district worked side-by-side with the Chamber and key partners to shape this role from the ground up, collaborating on responsibilities, goals, and long-term vision. The Director of Employer Engagement will serve all six districts equally, ensuring that students countywide have access to consistent, high-quality experiences with local employers.

“Our school districts are clearly passionate about preparing the future workforce of Wayne County,” said Chamber President/CEO Melissa Vance. “If we can assist by helping our employers stand up viable work-based learning opportunities to fill their talent pipeline, that is exactly what we should do. This is an exciting time for Wayne County to lead the way and provide a model for other communities across Indiana.”

This position is the result of months of intentional collaboration, regular meetings, and strategic planning. The schools will also contribute joint funding and resources, demonstrating their collective investment in preparing students for post-secondary success whether in college, trade school, military service, or the workforce.

​This collaboration is more than a new hire; it’s a long-term commitment to preparing Wayne County students for the future. It reflects a growing recognition that when schools and businesses work together, everyone wins