Grants Awarded To Support Expansion Of Indiana Apprenticeship Programs

Last updated on Tuesday, March 21, 2017

(INDIANAPOLIS) - The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) will provide $1,179,000 in grants to eight existing and emerging apprenticeship programs across Indiana.

The programs were selected based on their plans to engage industry and other partners to expand apprenticeships to non-traditional sectors and underserved populations, identify ways to promote and advance greater inclusion and diversity in apprenticeships and/or create or expand pre-apprenticeship programs for both youth and adults.

"Congratulations to these eight grant recipients that will cultivate apprenticeship programs in growing non-traditional fields and encourage diversity in apprenticeship programs across the state," said DWD Commissioner Steven J. Braun. "The expansion of apprenticeship opportunities is essential to ensuring Indiana's incumbent workforce possesses in-demand skills in order to fill the one million jobs expected to become available over the next decade."

Notable Apprenticeship Expansion Grant recipients include:

Fort Wayne Urban League ($107,064) - Program will assist women and minorities through the BUILD program to obtain nationally recognized certifications via construction sector.
Labor Institute for Training (LIFT) ($250,00) - Program focuses on new and incumbent entry-level workers to increase the pipeline of highly qualified and diverse individuals prepared to enter into middle- and high-skilled occupations within the growing advanced manufacturing sector.
Employ Indy ($117,458) - Program assists employers to structure on-the-job training and mentorship, creates plans for incentivizing skills gains and offers nationally-recognized credentials in the healthcare sector.

A complete listing of grant recipients and program descriptions may be found at www.in.gov/dwd/apprenticeship.htm.

Indiana currently has 544 registered apprenticeship programs serving nearly 14,000 Hoosiers. The Apprenticeship Expansion Grant program is designed to grow existing apprenticeship opportunities and develop new programs.

"Apprenticeships are a proven method for skilling up Indiana's workforce and represent a beneficial experience for both student and employer," added Braun. "Research suggests that apprenticeships and work-and-learn opportunities result in greater exposure to career options and higher job satisfaction."

Apprenticeship Expansion Grant recipients are expected to implement and administer funded programs within the next year. Visit www.in.gov/dwd/apprenticeship.htm for apprenticeship resources, grant guidelines and more information.

About The Apprenticeship Grant

The Apprenticeship Expansion Grant is designed to increase diversity within apprenticeship programs in terms of ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status and business sector roles as well as to engage industry, education and community partners to expand apprenticeships in non-traditional sectors and increase opportunities in growing sectors such as information technology, healthcare and advanced manufacturing.

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