STATEHOUSE (Sept. 13, 2021) – Area lawmakers urge Hoosiers to join the thousands who are already taking advantage of Indiana's Next Level Jobs certificate program to skill up at no cost and obtain a higher-paying job.
With many high-wage positions requiring specially trained workers, State Rep. Denny Zent (R-Angola) said Hoosiers can skill up for free with a Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant, which covers tuition costs for those earning a high-value certificate from Ivy Tech Community College or Vincennes University. Since launching in 2017, more than 50,000 Hoosiers have enrolled to complete a high-demand certificate program through Indiana’s Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant.
"We want to continue investing in our talented Hoosier workforce," Zent said. "Next Level Jobs is a key part of helping job seekers advance professionally. Whether you're entering the workforce or transitioning careers, this program can help get you where you want to go."
According to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, those who earn a Workforce Ready Grant certificate see an annual median wage increase of $6,800.
State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) said the program is designed so that participants can continue to work while earning a certificate in 1 of 5 in-demand job fields, including health and life sciences, IT and business services, building and construction, transportation and logistics, and advanced manufacturing. To learn more about Workforce Ready Grants, visit NextLevelJobs.org.
"As a small-business owner, I certainly consider the amount of training and skills an applicant has when hiring for an open position," Smaltz said. "This is a simple way to become more marketable in a chosen field and possibly increase your paycheck each week."
State Rep. David Abbott (R-Rome City) said to connect to a career in a fast-growing field today, Hoosiers can also visit IndianaCareerReady.com/INDemandJobs. This website helps job seekers easily explore industries experiencing significant growth, both in the number of hires and in rising wages.
"This website guides anyone – from first-time job seekers to seasoned professionals – through a variety of available career options," Abbott said. "Their assessments help determine the type of career that could be a good fit and a pathway to obtain training."
High-demand jobs in Indiana include nurses, accountants, computer systems analysts, construction managers, electricians, plumbers and software developers. The web portal offers a sortable list displaying the educational requirements, average salary, job postings and training opportunities for each occupation.
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State Rep. David Abbott (R-Rome City) represents House District 82, which includes
all of Noble County and portions of Allen, Elkhart, LaGrange and Whitley counties.
Click here for a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) represents House District 52, which
includes all of DeKalb County, and portions of Steuben and Allen counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Denny Zent (R-Angola) represents House District 51,
which includes most of LaGrange and Steuben counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
