News Releases

RAATZ ROUNDUP: Reconnecting education and the workforce

Reconnecting education and the workforce

By State Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond)

More than 228,000 high school students were enrolled in Indiana Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses last year, and over 6% of students enrolled in higher education were going to a trade school. We have listened to many employers over the last year and believe that coordinated efforts to align our system with work based learning opportunities led by employers is critical to workforce pipeline readiness. That’s why I have supported several bills over the past few years to create more flexible work-based learning opportunities.

In 2023, I sponsored House Enrolled Act 1002, which established the Career Scholarship Account (CSA) program. While a traditional CTE program is operated by a school or multi-school co-op, CSAs provide a $5,000 scholarship directly to families so they have more choice as to where their child can participate in work-based learning opportunities.

This is especially significant for rural students, homeschoolers and students whose schools may have fewer resources. CSAs level the playing field and make sure as many people as possible have access to internships, apprenticeships and other opportunities.

I also sponsored House Enrolled Act 1243 this year, which expanded the Indiana Department of Education's ability to design more flexible high school diploma requirements to consider more than a list of required, traditional classes. The new law should make it easier for students to add work-based learning into their high school career while still graduating on time.

While the CSA program is only in its infancy, I hope Hoosier students will be able to use it to get the best education and preparation possible for their future careers.

Applications for the program opened up on April 15 and close on Oct 1. For more information, you can visit the Treasurer of State website or apply here.

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 phone 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.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.