STATEHOUSE (March 14, 2023) – The Indiana House of Representatives recently advanced legislation supported by State Reps. Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point) and Hal Slager (R-Schererville) to expand work-based learning opportunities in high schools around the state.
Olthoff 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.
"Opening up more opportunities for high school students to explore career fields and gain valuable hands-on experience is a commonsense approach to making their education more relevant and beneficial," Olthoff said. "Work-based learning will help young Hoosiers identify their interests and start building skills so they can hit the ground running after graduation."
Slager 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.
"This legislation paves the way for high schoolers to get involved in the industries they are interested in," Slager said. "We recognize that young Hoosiers take different career paths and supporting students as they participate in work-based learning is a great way to ensure they are better prepared for what comes after high school."
According to Slager, 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. Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point) represents House District 19,
which includes portions of Lake and Porter counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Hal Slager (R-Schererville) represents House District 15,
which includes a portion of Lake County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
