STATEHOUSE (Oct. 5, 2021) – Elkhart 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. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) 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.
"These grants make gaining additional education or earning a certification easier for Hoosiers who are already working or unable to afford these programs to advance in their career," King said. "Through Next Level Jobs, there's never been a better time to invest in yourself and take the first step in finding meaningful employment."
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. Doug Miller (R-Elkhart) 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.
"Employers are in need of highly skilled workers and are willing to pay a premium for employees with the knowledge and credentials applicable to their jobs," Miller said. "As more industries look to Indiana to expand their operations, it's imperative our workforce is trained to fill these in-demand needs."
State Rep. Tim Wesco (R-Osecola) 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.
"The online web portal makes it simple for Hoosiers to connect with the tools and resources they need to make an educated decision about their future," Wesco said. "I encourage anyone looking to make a career change in their future to check it out now and see where a new job can take them."
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. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) represents House District 49,
which includes the eastern portion of Elkhart County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Doug Miller (R-Elkhart) represents House District 48,
which includes portions of Elkhart County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Tim Wesco (R-Osceola) represents House District 21,
which includes portions of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
