DWD Funding Local Work Ethic Certification Programs

Last updated on Thursday, October 13, 2016

(INDIANAPOLIS) - The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) will provide grants between $25,000 and $50,000 for the development and adoption of community- and employer-recognized work ethic certification programs in communities throughout Indiana.

According to the Indiana Chamber of Commerce's 2016 Employer Survey, sixty-three percent of Hoosier employers cite employability skills as the most challenging characteristics to find in applicants and new hires. The State Workforce Innovation Council (SWIC) developed the Governor's Work Ethic Certificate (WEC) for Indiana high school students to address the employability skills gap.

"The employability skills outlined in the Governor's WEC encourages students to meet benchmarks that best prepare them for success in the Hoosier workforce," said Steven J. Braun, DWD Commissioner. "This program will help close the skills gap cited by Hoosier employers and create a pipeline of workers with a proven work ethic."

The Governor's WEC program has three fundamental goals designed to:

Connect employers to their local school district through a College and Career Readiness Advisory Council designed to create a collaborative partnership that benefits the community.
Provide students with an understanding of necessary employability skills for today's in-demand jobs and enable them to demonstrate these skills while in high school.
Provide employers with potential workers who understand the values and importance of responsibility and perseverance in the workplace.
Braun also noted that the Governor's WEC has been vetted by Hoosier employers, community-based organizations and post-secondary education institutions to create awareness and understanding of the unique workforce needs within local communities.

The Governor's WEC program will fund up to 24 local pilot sites during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 school years. School corporations, consortiums of corporations or regional workforce development boards serving schools will have an opportunity to apply for one-time funding through a competitive grant process. School corporations who do not apply or do not receive grant funding may still implement the program. Seniors who successfully complete the program will receive the Governor's WEC that is signed by the Governor and DWD Commissioner.

More information about the Governor's WEC program, including application guidelines and the project timeline, is available at in.gov/dwd/workethic.htm.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

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