Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Saturday, May 5, 2018
(INDIANAPOLIS) - In less than one year, Indiana’s Next Level Jobs initiative has obligated $5.2 million in funds to 247 employers for training almost 2,300 Hoosiers around the state in six high-demand industry sectors.
Gov. Holcomb Friday shared these milestones, as well as plans to enhance the Next Level Jobs' employer training grant, at a roundtable discussion and tour of Custom Concrete in Westfield. Custom Concrete is one of the Indiana companies actively participating in a program to receive Next Level Jobs funds for training new employees.
"We're seeing firsthand today the ways Next Level Jobs is working for Indiana employers," Gov. Holcomb said. "The feedback we've received from businesses has been overwhelmingly positive and useful. They're helping us identify ways the Next Level Jobs initiative can be stronger and put more Hoosiers to work in better paying jobs faster."
Based on employer feedback, Indiana will double the funds available per employee trained from $2,500 to $5,000 and increase the total amount available per employer from $25,000 to $50,000. This funding is made available to participating employers through reimbursement for employees who are trained and retained for at least six months.
Other changes will be incorporated to streamline and make the Next Level Jobs' employer training grant easier for employers to use. Among those changes, the state will open the grant for employers to include not only new employees but also existing employees who receive training that leads to increased work responsibilities and higher wages. All changes are effective immediately.
"The response from employers to the Next Level Jobs initiative has been tremendous, with nearly 600 applications received," said Fred Payne, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. "These new enhancements expand opportunities for more Hoosiers to begin a new career in a high-demand field and for current employees to skill-up right where they are for a better paying job."
The employer training grant is a part of Gov. Eric Holcomb's Next Level Jobs initiative, which launched in August 2017. The initiative also includes funding to cover the full cost of tuition for individual Hoosiers who want to earn a credential and secure a better job.
Both employers and everyday Hoosiers can apply for these funds in a five-minute application at NextLevelJobs.org.
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