STATEHOUSE (March 15, 2023) – The Indiana House of Representatives advanced legislation supported by Tippecanoe County legislators to expand work-based learning opportunities in high schools around the state.
State Rep. Mark Genda (R-Frankfort) 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.
"Indiana has thousands of unfilled, high-paying positions across the state and many of these jobs are in skilled trades, which can require more than a high school diploma," Genda said. "This bill could help our students better prepare for jobs today and into the future."
State Rep. Sharon Negele (R-Attica) 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.
"Internships and apprenticeships can provide valuable hands-on experiences for Hoosier students," Negele said. "These opportunities can offer insight into potential careers and more quickly prepare participants for the workforce."
According to State Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo), 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.
"Providing students firsthand, work-based learning opportunities could be critical for their future and financial stability," VanNatter said. "This legislation could help employers reach students and make them aware of more opportunities available in their communities."
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. Mark Genda (R-Frankfort) represents House District 41,
which includes portions of Boone, Clinton, Montgomery and Tippecanoe counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Sharon Negele (R-Attica) represents House District 13,
which includes all of Benton and Warren counties, and portions of
Fountain, Jasper, Montgomery, Newton, Tippecanoe and White counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo) represents House District 38,
which includes all of Carroll and Tipton counties, and
portions of Cass, Clinton, Howard and Tippecanoe counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
