THE RAATZ ROUNDUP
Submitted for use on Aug. 27, 2025
Word Count: 373
In Indiana, we value giving our students the best education possible and the best opportunities possible. Not every student wants to or should go to college, and some students may want to experience a trade job before they decide what to do after high school. That is why our state has turned to implementing work-based learning options for students.
Over the past two years, we have made great strides in empowering our students to gain more experience in work-based learning opportunities. This includes creating the Career Scholarship Account through a law I sponsored, which provides a $5,000 grant to high school students who participate in a work-based learning program. The CSA program continues to grow in popularity as more students prepare for the workforce of tomorrow.
As we continue to bolster our work-based learning program, the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute conducted a study to determine what employers think of the program and what barriers are preventing employers from bringing on students.
The findings show employers have a strong interest in having high school students learning on the job with them but are prevented from doing so by barriers like having a lack of staff time to manage trainees and having a limited capacity to train students annually.
In the study, 80% of employers said they would participate more in hosting work-based development programs if these barriers were addressed. Possible solutions include creating intermediary organizations to help employers manage the logistics of having work-based learners and connecting with schools to promote programs.
Organizations with at least one person dedicated to talent development were more likely to have student workforce development programs in place than those that did not. According to the study, 77% of employers who had talent development staff have hosted at least one work-based development program.
As we continue to develop work-based learning in Indiana, I will keep working with fellow lawmakers, stakeholders, schools and community members to address the barriers to work-based learning opportunities so our students can have access to the best options that fit their career goals.
Constituents can reach out to me with any questions or concerns they may have by filling out a "Contact Me" form on the IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Raatz website or by calling my office at 800-382-9467.
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State Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond) represents Senate District 27, which includes
Henry, Union and Wayne counties, and portions of Franklin County.
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