STATEHOUSE (Sept. 22, 2021) – State Reps. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) and Alan Morrison (R-Brazil) 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, Baird 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.
"Many of today's jobs require specialized training, but it's not often easy for working adults to further their training," Baird said. "Next Level Jobs bridges the gap for Hoosiers seeking new skills for in-demand occupations without a several-years-long commitment, and gives employers a ready workforce."
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.
Morrison 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.
"Not everyone has the time or money to go back to school full time," Morrison said. "This program makes it easier for Hoosiers to gain the necessary credentials for jobs in growing industries while continuing to hold down a job."
Morrison 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. 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. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) represents House District 44,
which includes all of Putnam County and portions of Clay, Morgan, Owen and Parke counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Alan Morrison (R-Brazil) represents House District 42,
which includes all of Vermillion County and portions of Clay, Fountain, Parke, Vigo and Warren counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
