Grants to Fund Work Ethic Certification Programs

The department says the state added more than 11

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development is offering grants to help establish work ethic certification programs throughout the state. The programs aim to help Indiana high school students learn critical employability skills which many Hoosier companies say are lacking among job applicants.

The DWD is offering grants between $25,000 and $50,000 for up to 24 local pilot sites that wish to take part in the Governor’s Work Ethic Certificate program, which would take place during the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 academic years. The DWD says school corporations, company consortiums and regional workforce development boards that serve schools will be able to apply for the one-time grants.

"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 DWD Commissioner Steven Braun. "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 focuses on three goals, including connecting employers to local school districts, providing students with an understanding of necessary employability skills and providing employers with potential workers. The grant funding will be available from January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.

The DWD says school corporations who do not apply for or do not receive a grant will still be able to implement the Governor’s WEC program. High School seniors who complete the program will receive the Governor’s Work Ethic Certificate.

You can find more information on the program by clicking here.