STATEHOUSE (Oct. 6, 2021) – Johnson County legislators 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. Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland) 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 resources are available to help Hoosiers take the first step toward a new career," Davis said. "While many often face financial barriers when considering additional education or certification, Next Level Jobs eliminates tuition costs and makes it easier to gain important skills needed in today's job market."
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. John Young (R-Franklin) 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.
"The flexibility of this program allows Hoosiers to work classes into their schedule," Young said. "This is especially beneficial for individuals looking to make a career change. They can continue working while earning the credentials needed for their next job."
State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford) 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. High-demand jobs in Indiana include nurses, accountants, computer systems analysts, construction managers, electricians, plumbers and software developers.
"Next Level Jobs makes it possible for Hoosiers seeking better employment to gain the skills needed for some of our most in-demand jobs," May said. "These grants have already helped so many prepare for new careers and provided Indiana with a qualified workforce to fill these advanced positions."
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. Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland) represents House District 58,
which includes a portion of Johnson County.
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State Rep. John Young (R-Franklin) represents House District 47,
which includes portions of Johnson and Morgan counties.
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State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford) represents House District 65, which includes all of
Brown County, most of Lawrence County and parts of Monroe, Jackson and Johnson counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
