New County Career Center names founding director

Carrie Lively will lead the Hamilton County Center for Career Achievement (HCCCA) as its founding director, creating a new shared cross-community program to support Certified Technical Education (CTE) programs for the county’s six school districts.

Arrowood

Lively

“Carrie was chosen because she is uniquely qualified to lead the HCCCA based on her vast experience,” said Hamilton Heights School District Superintendent and center coordinator Dr. Derek Arrowood in making the announcement in partnership with the Hamilton County Economic Development Corporation (HCEDC). Lively will work as an employee of HCEDC through its operating agreement with Hamilton County Tourism, Inc.

The Hamilton County Council in June agreed to support the initiative with a $425,000 grant for two and a half years, when the HCCCA will become autonomous.

Lively will focus on four key goals of the initiative:

  1. Expand CTE Offerings – Implement best practices to give Hamilton County students the skills they need to obtain employment in high wage and skilled jobs.
  2. Develop a Marketing and Enrollment Plan – Grow enrollment in CTE classes and programs by ensuring all students are aware of these expanded opportunities and how it can provide them with a pathway forward.
  3. Pilot the HCCCA beginning with the 2022-2023 School Year – Have in place the nucleus of the program by Spring 2022 for enrollment the following year.
  4. Support Hamilton County Employers – By creating a pipeline of highly skilled individuals to fill their workforce needs.

Lively comes to the position with more than 15 years of experience in secondary education, 11 years of school administration and leadership, national CTE policy leadership, extensive knowledge of Indiana’s CTE programming and Perkins V funding, and expertise with the Next Level Programs of Study and graduation pathways.

Thibideau

“She comes to the program with a history of establishing successful public-private partnerships,” said Michael Thibideau, Hamilton County Economic Development Corporation Vice President of Workforce Attraction. “Connecting educators to employers will be key to making this a successful and vibrant program.”

A Career Center Task Force will meet regularly as part of HCEDC’s 21st Century Talent Region work to be engaged throughout the multi-year process. Any interested employers or partners can contact Thibideau at mthibideau@investhamiltoncounty.com.

About the Hamilton County Economic Development Corporation

The Hamilton County Economic Development Corporation is a comprehensive marketing organization focused on attracting and growing a talented workforce to Hamilton County. The office works with economic development professionals, workforce readiness and attraction programs, along with the network of state universities to promote the jobs and skills training available for career-changers in the county. HCEDC also works with Hamilton County Tourism and leaders across the county to share why the county is an attractive, affordable, safe and fun place to live and work.