STATEHOUSE (March 16, 2023) – The Indiana House of Representatives recently advanced legislation supported by State Reps. Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh) and Tim O'Brien (R-Evansville) that would expand work-based learning opportunities in high schools around the state.
Ledbetter said House Bill 1002 would create Career Scholarship Accounts for Hoosier students to pay for career training, apprenticeships, certifications and internships. The legislation would also allow quality, work-based learning to count toward high school graduation requirements and create a framework for students to earn a post-secondary credential.
"Enabling quality, work-based learning to count toward graduation requirements could help students be better prepared to join the workforce," Ledbetter said. "We want to make sure we're giving Hoosiers and schools more flexibility to make these options available and affordable."
O'Brien said Career Scholarship Accounts could be used by sophomores, juniors and seniors to enroll in earn-and-learn opportunities, as well as to pay for items like transportation and uniforms to remove barriers to accessing these experiences. The Indiana Department of Education would approve available courses and tracks, and accounts would be awarded $5,000 under the recently proposed House Republican budget.
"Opportunities for students to make money while learning a trade need to become more commonplace, and this bill encourages those types of partnerships between students, schools and employers," O'Brien said. "Hoosier communities will also benefit from local graduates who have training and are eager to enter the workforce."
O'Brien said the proposed legislation could also incentivize schools and career centers to embrace more earn-and-learn partnerships. It would also task the State Board of Education with re-examining high school diploma requirements in order to provide more flexibility in a student’s schedule so they can pursue apprenticeships, applied learning experiences, work-based learning and credentials.
The legislation would also allow post-secondary scholarships, such as the Frank O'Bannon Grant and the 21st Century Scholarship, to be used for trainings provided by intermediaries, employers or a labor organization. This would provide additional opportunities for Hoosiers, who may not be interested in college, to use these funds to skill up and be prepared for the modern workforce.
House Bill 1002 is now with the Indiana Senate for further consideration. For more information about this legislation, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh) represents House District 75,
which includes portions of Gibson, Pike and Warrick counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Tim O'Brien (R-Evansville) represents House District 78,
which includes portions of Vanderburgh and Warrick counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
