STATEHOUSE (Sept. 20, 2021) – Delaware 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. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) 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.
"A competitive job market means opportunities for Hoosiers, and free training through Next Level Jobs could help those in our community seize those opportunities," Prescott said. "With so many businesses hiring, now is the time to utilize this resource and acquire the skills needed to land a better-paying job."
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. Ann Vermilion (R-Marion) 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.
"Next Level Jobs continues to be an effective way for Hoosiers to skill up and find meaningful employment," Vermilion said. "Our strong economy depends on a trained workforce, and with the needs of employers changing due to technology and innovation, we want those in our community to be ready to step into open and in-demand positions."
State Rep. Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown) 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.
"Industries related to manufacturing and construction trades are increasingly requiring workers to have certifications in their respective fields," Rowray said. "With Next Level Jobs, Hoosiers have support at every step, from determining which industries are hiring to acquiring the needed certifications to fill those positions, and it's all free."
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. Ann Vermilion (R-Marion) represents House District 31, which includes
all of Blackford County and portions of Delaware, Grant and Wells counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown) represents House District 35,
which includes portions of Delaware and Madison counties.
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State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) represents House District 33, which
includes Jay and Randolph counties, and a portion of Delaware County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
