Meeting the Moment: Elevating Indiana’s Life Sciences Leadership
Workforce development has paid dividends for Indiana’s life sciences sector. The Hoosier State leads the nation in both pharmaceutical and life sciences exports. The sector employs 70,000 Hoosiers across 3,200 establishments and contributes $99 billion to Indiana’s economy. And the average wage among life sciences professionals – $148,000 – is well ahead of the state’s average.
But when it comes to leadership, there’s no such thing as a finish line. To stay competitive with the likes of Boston and San Diego, workforce development remains a top priority for Indiana’s life sciences ecosystem.
And on June 12, leading professionals and recruiters met to exchange perspectives at the quarterly FrameWORX hosted by BioCrossroads.
Gone are the days when recruiting started in college and job training moved along slowly. Today, employers and employees alike are looking for dynamic, life-changing opportunities right out of the gate. In Indiana, industry visibility starts as early as middle school. Internships with substance and ongoing training and development for professionals are critical parts of the mix.
Zachary Haller, the practice lead who supports lab services and scientific solutions at Actalent, said drivers for people seeking new opportunities are clear.
“Not only is the labor market changing but so are the desires of candidates,” Haller told a capacity crowd at the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute at 16 Tech. “People want to work in meaningful jobs. They don’t want to just work or just get a paycheck. And people want a personalized plan. Not a lot of people are getting those experiences.”
To keep pace, Indiana is looking at next-level platforms. Indiana’s designation as a tech hub means BioTrain will produce job-ready professionals who want careers in biomanufacturing. BioTrain is part of the Heartland BioWorks Tech Hub, a $51 million initiative supported by the U.S. Economic Development Administration and spearheaded by the Applied Research Institute (ARI) in collaboration with Purdue University, Ivy Tech Community College, and BioCrossroads. BioTrain will address the projected labor shortage in Indiana’s biotech industry.
Indiana also is adopting the Swiss apprenticeship model to enhance career readiness among high school students, particularly in the life sciences sector – part of a broader effort to provide students with practical, paid work experiences alongside their education.
“Life sciences and health care often have synergies with people moving back and forth between the sectors,” said Vince Wong, president and CEO of BioCrossroads. “We have strategies at different levels: for K-12, for college, and for those already working in the industry. We are developing strategies for all groups to meet people where they are.”
workforce resources
Meet the partners powering Indiana’s life sciences and healthcare workforce
The employers, educators, and organizations featured here are building real pipelines, aligning training with industry demand, creating new pathways into scientific and clinical roles, and helping employers attract and grow the teams they need to compete. Each one offers practical tools, proven approaches, and direct ways to support your talent strategy.
Actalent
Data-driven talent solutions across scientific and clinical roles
Actalent partners with companies to deliver customized workforce solutions, with deep expertise in clinical, scientific, and engineering roles. Their data-informed approach helps employers stay agile in a competitive talent market.
www.actalentservices.com
Ascend Indiana
Matching talent to high-demand roles with personalized career navigation
Ascend Indiana connects employers with qualified talent through a unique blend of one-on-one career guidance and tech-enabled matching tools. Their employer partnerships help streamline hiring pipelines while opening doors to high-demand jobs for Indiana residents.
www.ascendindiana.com
IBRI Internship Program
Hands-on experience in translational research
The Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI) offers a competitive internship program that provides early-career scientists with exposure to applied, translational research in a collaborative environment. The program supports both student development and employer workforce needs through mentorship and meaningful lab experiences.
www.indianabiosciences.org
IU Health
Creating upward mobility through continuous education
As one of the state’s largest healthcare employers, IU Health invests in its people. Their career development initiatives—from tuition support to pathway programs—help employees build long-term careers while staying responsive to workforce needs across the system.
www.iuhealth.org
Ivy Tech Community College
Industry-aligned training and credentialing programs
With campuses across Indiana, Ivy Tech offers accessible, flexible training that is closely aligned with employer needs—whether it’s credentials in biotech manufacturing, clinical support, or quality systems. Their programs help both new entrants and current employees build in-demand skills.
www.ivytech.edu
