Northeast Indiana Works

What Northeast Indiana Works does

Northeast Indiana Works is a nonprofit workforce development organization headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, operating under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and oversight of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. It oversees a network of 11 WorkOne Northeast career centers spanning 11 counties (Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Grant, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, and Whitley) and serves more than 20,000 individuals and 1,700 employers annually. The organization delivers three core service lines: Individual Services (job search assistance, resume development, workshops, veterans services, High School Equivalency preparation), Employer Services (customized recruitment, pre-employment screening, on-the-job training with up to 50% wage reimbursement, sector partnerships), and Youth Services (Jobs for America's Graduates, Focus Forward out-of-school youth program, Manufacturing.BeginsWith.Me campaign, Your Future: Make It Your Own career exploration platform).

The technology backbone is non-proprietary: the organization relies on state-administered platforms such as IndianaCareerConnect.com, IndianaCareerReady.com, and Indiana Career Explorer, plus standardized assessment tools (WorkKeys, Prove It!). No internally developed AI, ML, or proprietary technology platforms are described in the source data. A Director of Technology role exists, but its scope is operational rather than product-oriented.

Revenue mechanics are public-sector rather than commercial. The organization is funded primarily through federal WIOA formula funds, state grants via the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, and a $30 million State of Indiana grant approved in 2024 for population, wages, and credential attainment programs. All services to individuals and employers are free. The organization is part of the Indiana Workforce Alliance, whose 12 member boards collectively leveraged $91 million in 2023 to serve 311,000+ Hoosiers and 15,500+ employers. A six-person leadership team (President & CEO Edmond O'Neal, CFO Lori Rice, VP Kim Tempel, Director of Quality Initiatives & EO Officer Erica Lillie, Director of Technology Rafat Halboob, Director of WorkOne Services Cindy Neal) and a board representing regional educators, business, economic development, government, and labor oversee the organization.

Name

Northeast Indiana Works

Legal name

Northeast Indiana Works

Website

https://neinworks.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Northeast Indiana Works is a Fort Wayne-based nonprofit workforce development organization that oversees 11 WorkOne Northeast career centers across 11 counties, serving 20,000+ individuals and 1,700+ employers annually with free job search, training, and recruitment services funded primarily through federal WIOA and state grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Employment Services (5613), Employment Placement Agencies (561311), Educational Support Services (611710), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Workforce Development Programs (WIOA/One-Stop Career Centers) (EDAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF), Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE), Workforce & Job-Seeker Services (Community-Based) (EDAAAFAM)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Career center operations
• Job search assistance
• Employer recruitment services
• Youth career programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Wayne

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Federal WIOA Funding: Primary operational, funding, and service delivery policies are guided by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which provides funding for employment, education, training, and support services.
2. State Funding and Grants: Funding from state sources including the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and grant programs such as the $30-million Northeast Indiana Strategic Development Commission grant for programs designed to grow population, wages, and credential attainment.
3. Workforce Alliance Combined Funding: Indiana Workforce Alliance members leveraged a combined $91 million in funding in 2023 to provide career services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Northeast Indiana Works is a nonprofit workforce development organization that provides free employment, education, training, and support services to job seekers, employers, and youth across 11 counties in northeast Indiana through a network of 11 WorkOne Northeast career centers. Its services span job search assistance, career counseling, skills training (welding, CNC machining, industrial maintenance), customized employer recruitment, on-the-job training subsidies, and youth programs such as Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG), funded primarily through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Product overview

Northeast Indiana Works is a non-profit workforce development organization offering a portfolio of career development services through its network of 11 WorkOne Northeast career centers. The organization operates three core service lines: Individual Services (resume development, job search assistance, skills training, veterans services), Employer Services (recruitment, on-the-job training, sector partnerships, labor market research), and Youth Services (JAG program, Focus Forward, career awareness campaigns). These services are delivered through in-person workshops at career centers, virtual training, sector partnerships with education providers and employers, and online resources including IndianaCareerReady.com and IndianaCareerExplorer.com. The organization also administers youth development programs including Your Future: Make It Your Own and Manufacturing.BeginsWith.Me campaigns.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Your Future: Make It Your Own: A highly interactive website designed to help students explore careers and learn about career paths in northeast Indiana.
• Focus Forward

Products and services

• WorkOne Northeast Career Centers Network of 11 WorkOne Northeast career centers across Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Grant, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, and Whitley counties providing in-person job search assistance, career counseling, skills training registration, and access to employment resources for job seekers and employers.
• Individual Services Services helping individuals improve their future by increasing skill levels and earning power, including resume development, interview training, computer basics, job search assistance, career guidance, veterans services, and trade adjustment assistance, delivered free via WorkOne career centers.
• Employer Services Services helping employers fill workforces with skilled employees, including customized recruitment, displaced worker assistance, on-the-job training subsidies, sector partnerships, Next Level Jobs employer training grants, labor market research, and Work Opportunity Tax Credit application assistance.
• Youth Services Youth-focused career development programs including Your Future: Make It Your Own website, Manufacturing.BeginsWith.Me campaign, and Focus Forward out-of-school youth program targeting middle school through high school students and out-of-school youth ages 16-24.
• Workshops Free instructor-led courses including Resume Development, Interviewing with Confidence, Computer Basics, Microsoft Word and Excel, Introduction to the Internet, Career Exploration, Cover Letters, and networking with a personal brand, delivered in-person at WorkOne centers and virtually.
• On-The-Job Training (OJT) Program Training program where WorkOne Northeast pays up to 50 percent of new hire wages for eligible residents of northeast Indiana, assisting employers through the OJT process.
• Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) Resiliency-building workforce program helping middle and high school students learn in-demand employability skills and receive career exploration and coaching experiences, with 20 programs at 16 schools in northeast Indiana and a 97% graduation rate.
• Focus Forward Out-of-school youth program helping young people 16 to 24 earn their High School Equivalency (HSE), gain industry certifications, learn employability skills, and access work experience opportunities, administered by Brightpoint and overseen by Northeast Indiana Works.
• Sector Partnerships Career pathway development initiatives including Adams-Wells Manufacturing Alliance, Grant's Got Talent, MadeByMe Coalition in Allen County, and Noble County Manufacturing & Education Alliance, convening employers, education providers, and community partners around targeted industries.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% graduation rate for JAG Indiana 2023-24 school year, higher than state and national averages
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDWD administers the statewide WorkOne network of career centers. Northeast Indiana Works oversees 11 WorkOne centers in northeast Indiana as part of this statewide system. DWD also administers JAG Indiana and provides federal performance measures guidance.
• Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIEDC is Indiana's lead economic development agency. Northeast Indiana Works and WorkOne Northeast work closely with IEDC to tout workforce tools available to existing businesses or those considering locating in northeast Indiana. They co-host employer-focused informational sessions.
• Indiana Workforce AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Alliance represents Indiana's 12 Workforce Development Boards including Northeast Indiana Works. In 2023, Alliance members leveraged combined $91 million in funding to provide career services to 311,000+ Hoosiers and business services to 15,500+ employers.
• Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership (NEI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEI (formerly Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership) helps build a globally competitive economy in northeast Indiana. Launched Vision 2030 focusing on 21st Century Talent, Competitive Business Climate, Entrepreneurship, Infrastructure and Quality of Life. Supports 11 member counties.
• Regional Chamber of Northeast IndianamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA membership organization of more than 90 businesses from 11 counties. Promotes policies yielding economic growth through 21st century talent, world-class infrastructure, and business climate advocacy.
• BrightpointcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrightpoint administers the Focus Forward out-of-school youth program overseen by Northeast Indiana Works. The program helps young people 16-24 earn High School Equivalency, gain certifications, learn employability skills, and access work experience. Brightpoint also administers JAG programs regionally.
• Ivy Tech Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIvy Tech Community College Fort Wayne partners with Northeast Indiana Works for STEM camps for middle school students and manufacturing training programs including the Manufacturing Experience Camp.
• Freedom AcademymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Northeast Indiana Works to develop the Dexter Skilled Trades Training Program, addressing customer demand for skilled trades workers.
• Impact InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArea 18 CTE provider serving Noble, DeKalb, LaGrange, Steuben, and Whitley counties. Also hosts the Noble County WorkOne center and provides adult education services.
• Purdue University Fort Wayne / Community Research InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Community Research Institute at Purdue University Fort Wayne conducts regional labor market research with Northeast Indiana Works to help job seekers and employers make informed decisions.
• Local Economic Development Organizations (LEDOs)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner11 LEDOs across the region including Adams County EDC, Greater Fort Wayne Inc., DeKalb County EDP, Grant County, Huntington County EDC, LaGrange County EDC, Noble County EDC, Steuben County EDC, Grow Wabash County, Wells County EDC, and Whitley County EDC.
• Area 18 CTE CooperativemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer & Technical Education Cooperative serving Adams, Blackford, Huntington, Jay and Wells counties. Hosts Manufacturing Begins with Me Camp for middle school students in partnership with Northeast Indiana Works.
• Learn More CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdult education provider in Wabash County providing basic skills instruction, HSE exam preparation, and short-term certification training. Hosts Wabash County WorkOne center.
• The Literacy AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdult education provider serving Allen, Adams and Wells counties with basic skills instruction and English language learner classes.
• Don Wood FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate Fort Wayne foundation focused on advanced manufacturing awareness. Partnered with Northeast Indiana Works for Manufacturing Begins with Me Camp and the Ignite Advanced Manufacturing campaign to build awareness of manufacturing careers.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EmployIndy: Indianapolis-area Workforce Development Board administering WorkOne centers under WIOA. Most direct peer given shared state WIOA funding structure, employer services focus, and nonprofit workforce development mandate.
• Workforce Development Board of Western Iowa (IowaWORKS): Regional WIOA workforce development board operating IowaWORKS career centers. Similar multi-county rural/suburban footprint, employer recruitment, and youth JAG-style programming.
• Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership: Regional WIOA-funded workforce development board serving Chicago/Cook County with job seeker and employer services. Highly comparable mission, funding model, and service portfolio across an urban region.
• San Diego Workforce Partnership: Nonprofit WIOA workforce development administrator for San Diego County operating America's Job Centers. Comparable scale, federal funding structure, employer-job seeker dual-sided model.
• Kentucky Workforce Investment Board: Kentucky's network of workforce development boards under Kentucky Career Centers (WIOA-funded). Comparable state-administered system with regional WDB oversight and free job seeker/employer services.

Emerging players

• Year Up: National workforce development nonprofit providing young adults with training and corporate internships. Similar youth workforce and employer partnership model with proven employment outcomes.
• Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing tuition-free tech and skilled trades training with employer connections. Comparable free-to-learner model and employer-aligned training but narrower tech focus.

Broad incumbents

• CareerSource Florida: Statewide network of 24 workforce development boards administering WIOA programs in Florida. Operates at greater scale and serves as a state-level coordinator analogous to Indiana Workforce Alliance.
• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit with extensive workforce development, skills training, and job placement programs across hundreds of locations. Overlaps on mission but operates broader retail-funded social enterprise model.

Others

• Indiana Department of Workforce Development: State agency that administers the statewide WorkOne system and channels federal WIOA funding to NEINworks and other regional WDBs. Functions as both partner and upstream funder/regulator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/neinworks
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCD1Uxgi0fxkZO-28TD2cfkA
• Facebookfacebook.com/workonenortheast
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/northeast-indiana-works

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Northeast Indiana Works