STATEHOUSE (March 15, 2018) — Hoosier students, workers and employers will benefit from today’s passage of two companion bills addressing workforce development issues, said State Sen. Doug Eckerty (R-Yorktown).
Both Senate Enrolled Act 50 and House Enrolled Act 1002 have now passed the General Assembly and are ready for Gov. Holcomb’s signature. The bills were part of the Senate Republicans’ and House Republicans’ respective 2018 legislative agendas.
Together, SEA 50 and HEA 1002 put forward a multifaceted approach to addressing the ongoing skills gap between available jobs and available workers in Indiana.
Key provisions of the bills are as follows:
• SEA 50 creates a new Governor’s Workforce Cabinet to monitor Indiana’s various workforce training programs and to advise the governor on policy changes. This 21-member cabinet replaces and improves upon Indiana’s 43-member State Workforce Innovation Council, which has historically taken a passive role in workforce programs. Eckerty said the new cabinet is intended to take a more active approach to improve the cohesiveness of workforce training programs overseen by various state agencies.
• SEA 50 also tasks the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet with establishing a statewide Career Navigation and Coaching program to help middle school, high school and adult students better understand the education and career options that are available to them.
• HEA 1002 increases eligibility for two important job-training programs: the Workforce Ready Grant and Next Level Jobs Employer Training Grant. Both of these programs reflect the reality that while college is the right option for many Hoosiers, individuals can also enjoy successful careers with alternative postsecondary education such as earning an industry-recognized certificate.
o The Workforce Ready Grant was created by the General Assembly in 2017 to offer financial aid for industry certificate programs to financially independent adult students. Based on the strong interest in this program, HEA 1002 removes the requirement that grant recipients be financially independent, allowing more students to enroll in a certificate program immediately after graduating from high school.
o HEA 1002 also codifies and expands the Next Level Jobs Employer Training Grant created administratively by Gov. Holcomb to reimburse employers for the cost of training their workers in Indiana’s most high-need industries. Under the bill, employers in eligible industries can receive a grant of up to $50,000 for the reimbursement of employee training costs, encouraging Hoosier businesses to skill up their own workforce.
Eckerty said the contents of the bills reflect the consensus efforts of the Senate, House of Representatives, governor, and private sector employers to improve the skills of Indiana’s workforce and improve Hoosiers’ livelihoods.
“We know that finding qualified workers is a challenge for employers in every corner of the state,” Eckerty said. “I’m confident the bills we passed today will get the ball rolling on this long-term issue so that employers continue to bring in new jobs and Indiana’s economy continues to grow.”
Eckerty, who is retiring from the Senate upon the conclusion of his current term this fall, said he is proud that improving workforce development has defined his tenure in the General Assembly.
“Workforce development has been a priority for me for many years, and I’m pleased to have had a hand in defining a streamlined process for Indiana moving forward,” he said. “The framework we have developed will benefit Hoosiers and their employers, setting our state up for even more future success."
The bills will now move to the governor for his signature.
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Click here for a high-resolution photo of Sen. Eckerty.
