2026 State of The Workforce Summit
This Years Topic
The 2026 State of the Workforce Summit brings together state, regional, and local workforce development experts to explore the future of talent in Southern Indiana. Attendees gain a clear understanding of current labor market conditions and learn how Southern Indiana Works (SIW) and its partners are actively developing a strong, sustainable talent pipeline for the region.
This year’s summit focuses on strengthening the connection between education, skills development, and employer engagement.
The program features a labor market outlook from Sarah Ehresman, Director of Labor Market Intelligence at Kentuckiana Works, who shares key data and trends shaping our regional workforce.
An Education and Skills Development panel includes Dr. Travis Haire (Ivy Tech – Sellersburg), Dr. Debbie Ford (Indiana University Southeast), and Dr. Kyle Lanoue (Prosser Career & Technical Education Center), highlighting how education partners are preparing students with in-demand skills aligned to industry needs.
An Employer’s Role in Talent Development panel follows with Todd Hurst (Indiana Chamber of Commerce), Jesika Young (Cimtech), and Kristen Barry (Southern Indiana Works), discussing how employers can lead, support, and invest in building the future workforce.
Together, these discussions provide valuable insight into collaborative strategies that drive talent growth and strengthen regional economic success.
Regional Labor Market report
Sarah Ehresman
Sarah Ehresman is a skilled labor market analyst with over a decade of experience in data-driven research, analysis, and communication. As the Director of Labor Market Intelligence at KentuckianaWorks, the workforce development board for the Louisville region, she leads research on economic trends and workforce challenges. She specializes in presenting data through visualizations, dashboards, and outreach materials that make labor market insights accessible to students, job seekers, and other stakeholders in the workforce system. Sarah holds a Master’s degree in Urban Planning and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, both from the University of Louisville.
Thank You To Our Generous Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Ivy Tech Community College
Host Sponsor
Caesars Southern Indiana
Platinum Sponsors
- Baptist Health -Floyd
- IU Southeast
Silver Sponsors
- Prosser Career & Technical Education Center
- Southern Indiana Tourism
- Duke Energy
- Crown Staffing
- Amatrol
- Mister “P”
- WM Kelley
Table Sponsors
- One Sothern Indiana (1si)
- Dan Cristiani Excavation Co. Inc.
- JobWorks
- Iron Workers Local No. 70
