STATEHOUSE (May 27, 2020) — Daviess County lawmakers encourage Hoosiers whose jobs were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to take advantage of tuition-free training grants offered through Indiana's Next Level Jobs program.
Established in 2017, the program provides Workforce Ready Grants to help Indiana residents who have a high school diploma or equivalent but less than a college degree receive training in high-demand job fields. With more than 500,000 Hoosiers filing for unemployment since March, State Rep. Bruce Borders (R-Jasonville) said these grants could help those who are laid off or furloughed to build on their skills and get a better paying job.
"With the COVID-19 outbreak sidelining many from work, now is an opportune time to add skills to your toolbox," Borders said. "The Next Level Jobs program is a tremendous incentive to get certified in high-demand careers at no cost."
Hoosiers can visit NextLevelJobs.org to apply for training grants, which cover the cost of tuition and fees for working adults to earn a high-value certificate at Ivy Tech Community College or Vincennes University. State Rep. Jeff Ellington (R-Bloomington) said jobseekers can connect to local training and resources to find jobs in high-demand industries, including advanced manufacturing, building and construction, health and life sciences, IT and business services, and transportation and logistics.
"The shocks to our economy have cost many Hoosiers their jobs while straining their finances," Ellington said. "This program is a beneficial way to learn in-demand trades without going into debt."
According to State Rep. Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper), the Ivy Tech campus in Linton offers students the opportunity to earn support and technical certificates in information technology, and the Evansville and Terre Haute campuses have certifications in a variety of programs. For information, visit IvyTech.edu and search for each campus to see available certifications.
"There are a number of ways to make a career change, and this program is one of them," Lindauer said. "For Hoosiers looking ahead and thinking about what's next, I hope they consider skilling up for these high-demand jobs."
Businesses in high-demand industries can apply for Employer Training Grants, which provide $5,000 for each employee who is trained, hired and retained for six months.
Students interested in attending Ivy Tech have until June 8 to enroll in summer courses. The summer session will run through Aug. 1. Anyone interested in opportunities through Vincennes University have until July 2 to register for the next round of summer courses. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all courses will be offered online.
Hoosiers can learn more about eligibility requirements and apply for a Workforce Ready Grant or Employer Training Grant at NextLevelJobs.org. Anyone who needs help with the application process can call 317-715-9007 to speak one-on-one with a financial aid expert for free through INvestEd.
-30-
State Rep. Bruce Borders (R-Jasonville) represents House District 45, which includes
all of Sullivan County and portions of Vigo, Greene, Knox and Daviess counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Jeff Ellington (R-Bloomington) represents House District 62, which includes
portions of Greene, Monroe, Martin and Daviess counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Shane Lindauer (R- Jasper) represents House District 63,
which includes portions of Daviess, Dubois, Pike and Martin counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
