The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced today that the WorkINdiana program received a sizeable increase of funding through the state budget signed last week by Governor Mike Pence. This program offered through WorkOne enables Hoosiers to earn a career certification along with their high school equivalency credential free of charge.
The 2013 biennial budget, passed this legislative session by the Indiana General Assembly, dedicates $5 million over the next two years specifically to the WorkINdiana program, a first for the 2-year-old occupational skills training initiative. Prior to this infusion DWD had to rely on dwindling federal discretionary funds to administer the program, which began in 2011.
WorkINdiana participants can choose from more than 30 certification programs in high wage, high demand industry sectors such as Advanced Manufacturing, Business Administration and Support, Health Care, Hospitality, Information Technology or Transportation and Logistics. Since WorkINdiana’s inception, more than 800 individuals have enrolled in the program. Over 80 percent have gone on to completion. With the additional state funding, DWD estimates around 1,500 more students can be served in the next year alone. More information about WorkINdiana, including how to enroll, can be found at www.workoneworks.com in the “Job Seekers” section.
“We are very pleased Governor Pence and the Indiana General Assembly have seen the value of the WorkINdiana program and have chosen to make it a significant priority,” said Scott B. Sanders, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “Helping Hoosiers learn the skills they need to be relevant in the job market is a basic building block to improving Indiana’s economy.”
Sanders also noted information about many other free WorkOne education and training programs is located online at www.workoneworks.com.