Jefferson County lawmakers urge Hoosiers to connect to free training, careers in fast-growing fields

Over 50,000 Hoosiers taking advantage of Next Level Jobs certificate program

STATEHOUSE (Sept. 16, 2021) – State Reps. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) and Zach Payne (R-Charlestown) 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, Lucas 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.

"It can be hard for Hoosiers looking for additional training or exploring a career change if they don't know where to start or how their skills can be put to use," Lucas said. "These resources can help you find the right field and match you with a program that fits your interests and skillset."

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.

Payne 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.

"This program has already helped thousands of Hoosiers skill up and secure in-demand jobs," Payne said. "I encourage anyone looking for employment or considering a new career to go online and explore opportunities through Next Level Jobs."

Payne 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.