STATEHOUSE (Sept. 10, 2021) – Hancock 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. Bob Cherry (R-Greenfield) 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.
"The Next Level Jobs program is benefiting thousands of Hoosiers, and many more should take advantage of the opportunity and invest in their futures," Cherry said. "Whether switching careers, finding new employment or just entering the workforce, Next Level Jobs is the place to start."
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. Sean Eberhart (R-Shelbyville) 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.
"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."
State Rep. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers) 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.
"Next Level Jobs is a great resource for Hoosiers to make themselves more marketable," Jeter said. "Indiana continues to attract high-paying jobs in sought-after industries, and these free opportunities are an easy way to gain the necessary skills for these careers."
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. Bob Cherry (R-Greenfield) represents House District 53,
which includes portions of Hancock and Madison counties.
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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.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers) represents House District 88,
which includes portions of Marion, Hamilton and Hancock counties.
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