As of July, the state and our local unemployment rate stood at 3.4 percent, which is well below the national average of 4.3 percent. More Hoosiers are working today than ever before, but we are facing another challenge of filling open positions with skilled workers.
In fact, there are 1 million projected job openings in the state by 2025 that will need to be filled. To help Hoosiers gain the skills needed to fill these positions, the state recently launched the Next Level Jobs initiative, which includes nextleveljobs.org and two new grant programs. This website connects job seekers with local training and resources to find jobs in high-demand industries.
Recently, I voted in favor of providing Workforce Ready Grants to working-age Hoosiers. These grants cover full tuition costs for adult learners to earn career certificates in high-growth sectors, including advanced manufacturing, building and construction, health and life sciences, IT and business services, and transportation and logistics. Local Ivy Tech schools along with Vincennes University accept the Workforce Ready Grants.
After putting my two children through college, I know the hefty price tag that comes with a college diploma or certificate. Financial obstacles could be the only thing keeping some Hoosiers from acquiring the skills and training needed for higher-salaried jobs. That is why the General Assembly is giving $4 million to provide for the first two years of the Workforce Ready Grants, and more than $10 million will come from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education in financial aid funds.
The state is taking this jobs initiative to the ‘Next Level’ by also providing grants to employers in need of a skilled labor force, like those in advanced manufacturing, IT/business services, transportation and logistics, health sciences, building and construction, and agriculture sectors. Employers will be able to provide the necessary training to their employees to keep up with the ever-changing job market and technology.
Information about Workforce Ready Grants and Employer Training Grants can be found online at nextleveljobs.org. Hoosier employers can find other resources at the state’s one-stop resource for registering and managing a business online at inbiz.in.gov.
As the top state in the Midwest for business, Indiana continues to attract employers and jobs from around the world. These grants and resources will help bridge the skills gap and strengthen our workforce so they can earn higher wages and meet the needs of employers.
As always, please contact me with questions or input at 317-234-3827 or by email at h67@iga.in.gov. I appreciate hearing from you in order to better represent our district. Stay up-to-date with the work being done at the Statehouse by signing up to receive my email updates at www.in.gov/h67.
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Rep. Frye (R-Greensburg) represents Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland counties, as well as portions of Decatur, Jennings, Jefferson and Dearborn counties.
A high-resolution photo of Frye can be downloaded by clicking here.
