STATEHOUSE (Jan. 8, 2018) — State Rep. Todd Huston (R-Fishers) filed legislation today that would align, streamline and restructure Indiana’s workforce development programs.
The bill would reorganize the state’s workforce programs and funding using return-on-investment metrics enacted last year to evaluate areas in need of improvement. According to Huston, Indiana’s workforce development system spends roughly $1 billion per year through nine state agencies across 30 different programs. To make the system more efficient, the bill calls for consolidation of overlapping efforts into programs that are both accessible to workers and aligned with employer needs.
“Indiana’s economic climate and regulatory environment makes it an ideal location for businesses, but we need to strengthen the pipeline of skilled workers,” Huston said. “Lawmakers need to identify and restructure the programs within our current workforce development system, so we can more efficiently connect hard-working Hoosiers with certified training programs and employers looking to hire.”
The bill also proposes the Indiana Department of Workforce Development establish two employees at each WorkOne center, which connects Hoosier employers and jobseekers with state resources, to educate local school officials and students about high-value workforce-ready grants and programs available.
House Bill 1002 has been assigned to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about HB 1002.
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State Rep. Todd Huston (R-Fishers) represents House District 37,
which includes portions of Hamilton County.
A high-resolution photo of Huston can be downloaded by clicking here.
