STATEHOUSE (Sept 9, 2021) – State Reps. Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh) and Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty) 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, Bartels 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 has helped thousands of Hoosiers skill up and realize their true potential with rewarding careers in growing fields," Bartels said. "Not only are job seekers able to find higher-paying positions, but Indiana companies are also able to expand and thrive with a well-trained workforce."
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.
Ledbetter 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.
"Indiana is committed to developing a robust workforce that is prepared for the challenges of the future," Ledbetter said. "The vast majority of new jobs created in the last decade require training beyond high school and Next Level Jobs can help prepare Hoosier job seekers for not only today's careers, but for tomorrow's as well."
Ledbetter 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. The web portal offers a sortable list displaying the educational requirements, average salary, job postings and training opportunities for each occupation.
