INDIANA —Governor Mike Braun on Wednesday announced $9.1 million in new grants that will expand registered apprenticeship programs throughout Indiana, helping Hoosiers skill up and enter higher-wage careers. A portion of the funding will also go toward connecting formerly incarcerated adults with employment.
“Indiana has a nationally recognized apprenticeship system that works for employers, helping them build talent pipelines across industries, and for Hoosiers, putting them on a path to higher wage careers,” Gov. Braun said. “With these new grants, my administration will continue developing Indiana’s tremendous workforce, preparing them for the careers of the future.”
The U.S. Department of Labor awarded Indiana a $4 million State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula Round 4 (SAEF4) grant. With the funds, the state plans to enhance Indiana’s nationally recognized apprenticeship system by increasing opportunities within advanced manufacturing, the sector most underserved by apprenticeships in Indiana.
In addition, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development has secured a one-time, $5.1 million Reentry Employment in Skilled Trades, Advanced Manufacturing, Registered Apprenticeships, and Training Initiative (RESTART) grant, which will support the state’s workforce by connecting incarcerated adults 25 and older with employment, training and registered apprenticeships in high-demand industries.
“Indiana ranks second in the nation for apprenticeships per capita thanks to our proven models that benefit employers and workers,” Indiana Commerce Secretary Chuck Goodrich said. “Indiana has added nearly 14,000 new apprentices since Gov. Braun took office, and these grants will create even more pathways for Hoosiers.”
The SAEF4 grant will drive funding to advanced manufacturing group sponsors to bolster apprenticeship opportunities.
SAEF4 funds will also be earmarked for the creation of Capacity Building Grants, which will reinforce the work of Indiana’s Local Workforce Boards by supporting apprenticeship navigators who will focus on engaging advanced manufacturing employers. This will advance the Indiana Department of Workforce Development’s long-term goal of ensuring lasting apprenticeship capacity.”
The RESTART grant funds will further Gov. Braun’s goal of decreasing the number of incarcerated Hoosiers returning to prison after release. Last year, the governor signed an executive order aiming to reduce recidivism by improving incarcerated individuals’ paths for reentry.
About $4.3 million of the RESTART grant funds will be dedicated to regional service delivery provided by Indiana’s Local Workforce Boards for direct training, work-based learning, supportive services and employer incentives.
In February, the U.S. Department of Labor announced the availability of $81 million in grant funding through its RESTART program with the intention of granting up to $5.1 million in individual awards. Indiana secured one of the competitive individual awards, a testament to the effectiveness of Indiana’s comprehensive reentry and training model. In April, the federal agency announced approximately $85 million in funding for SAEF4 grants.
Learn more about registered apprenticeships at in.gov/dwd/owbla.
