Indiana’s Next Level Jobs Program Expanded Through End of 2020

Federal funding of $50 million, allocated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, enables the expansion of Indiana’s Next Level Jobs program through the state’s “Rapid Recovery for a Better Future” initiative. Of the total funding, $37 million will be used to expand two grant programs – the Employer Training Grant (ETG) and the Workforce Ready Grant (WRG). Other funds will support the development of career coaching initiatives, skills training, and recognition of prior learning and experience.

The ETG, administered by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, supports employers in training new employees as well as upskilling or reskilling incumbent workers. Of the CARES Act funding, $15 million has been allocated to the ETG, enabling 25,000 more Hoosiers to utilize the grant. Changes to the program include:

• The maximum amount of funding available to an employer has been increased from $50,000 to $100,000.
• From the funds, $5 million will be allocated specifically for minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses.

The WRG allows individuals to receive free job training for jobs in high-demand fields. Of the CARES Act funding, $22 million is going toward the WRG, allowing at least 10,000 additional Hoosiers to utilize the grant.

The WRG, administered by the Commission for Higher Education, will be temporarily expanded in the following ways:

• Hoosiers with two- and four-year degrees are eligible to receive full tuition reimbursement for short-term WRG-eligible programs through Dec. 30.
• Nearly 50 new certificates have been approved for addition to the current list of eligible programs.
• The funding cap per individual has been raised from $5,500 to $10,000 to cover high-quality programs that cost more than $5,500.

For more information or to enroll in Next Level Jobs, visit NextLevelJobs.org. Free one-on-one assistance helping Hoosiers navigate the WRG is available through InvestEd.