Preparing for the future after high school can be overwhelming for many students. Hamilton County school leaders witnessed these challenges and consequently created the Pursuit Institute to help students discover their passions and be equipped for their next steps.
The Pursuit Institute is an independent Career and Technical Education (CTE) district that is a collaboration of the six Hamilton County school systems. The goal of the institute is for students to have the opportunity to experience meaningful jobs. Whether students plan to enter the workforce after graduation or continue their education with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, the Pursuit Institute helps students have a clear connection between the classroom and a career.
Before the Pursuit Institute, Hamilton County students had to travel to the J. Everett Light Career Center in Indianapolis for CTE. Students faced challenges with this arrangement like limited spots in classes and transportation issues. To alleviate those issues, the Pursuit Institute was launched in June 2021 as the Hamilton County Center for Career Achievement. In October 2022 the state awarded it CTE status, which provides $500,000 in federal funding annually to the Pursuit Institute and the public school district served.
The Pursuit Institute opened in August 2023 and is currently in its second year of programming. Enrollment increased by over 100 students this year.
The Pursuit Institute aims to keep students close to home, increase revenue to the school district, expand and centralize employer engagement, and maximize impact by coordinating grants and philanthropic investments.
Students can enroll in 13 full two-year programs. An additional four paid capstone experiences are available for those who have taken construction, civil construction, automotive services or welding programs at their home school. The Pursuit Institute offers 24 different certifications, 94 college credits, three apprenticeships, and innumerable hours of work-based learning experiences throughout their programs. Offered programs include choices like agriculture, aviation, cosmetology, cyber security and many more.
Pursuit Institute programs are offered with on-site experiences at local business and community partners. These programs utilize a combination of virtual and in-person academic opportunities with input and instruction by industry professionals.
The Pursuit Institute partners with many Hamilton County businesses and community partners including Reynolds Farm Equipment, Riverview Hospital and Chariot Automotive Group among others. These industry professionals ensure students receive practical, real-world experiences.
“We want to create an opportunity to link student interest with careers, and to put them into as many real-life situations as possible,” says Kurt Cantlon, the executive director of the Pursuit Institute.
Cantlon is a Westfield High School graduate with deep roots in Hamilton County. He is invested in promoting the growth of the local community and how students can be a part of that process. He finds joy in helping students find their passion and success.
“We have a lot of options in Hamilton County,” says Cantlon. “There isn’t a need to leave to do a job you are interested and passionate about.”
The Pursuit Institute is always looking for new business and community partners, and those who want to work with students. For more information on being a Pursuit Institute partner or about the program, check out their website or call 317-210-3195.
