STATEHOUSE (Sept. 14, 2021) – Bartholomew County 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. Sean Eberhart (R-Shelbyville) 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.
"In-demand positions are not only diverse in industry, but also in the skills needed to fill the positions," Eberhart said. "The job market includes a range of opportunities, whether in tech, health care or construction trades, and many of these jobs are higher paying."
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. Ryan Lauer (R-Columbus) 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.
"This is a great program for hardworking Hoosiers who might want to learn new skills, advance in their career or find a new job," Lauer said. "There are thousands of open positions that require skilled workers, and Next Level Jobs can help you be the one who steps in and gets hired."
State Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) 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.
"It can be hard for Hoosiers looking for additional training or exploring a career change if they don't know where to start or how their skills can be put to use," Lucas said. "These resources can help you find the right field and match you with a program that fits your interests and skillset."
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. Sean Eberhart (R-Shelbyville) represents House District 57,
which includes Shelby County and portions of Bartholomew and Hancock counties.
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State Rep. Ryan Lauer (R-Columbus) represents House District 59,
which includes portions of Bartholomew County.
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State Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) represents House District 69,
which includes portions of Bartholomew, Jackson, Jennings and Jefferson counties.
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