Works Councils Receive More Funding
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowTen regional works councils have each received $65,000 grants. The state funding will support programs designed to raise awareness of local career and technical education efforts. July 3, 2014
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — The Indiana Works Council has awarded $65,000 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Awareness grants to ten regional works councils to bolster awareness of local career and technical education efforts. The goal of the grants is to expand knowledge of regional employer needs, highlight available training and education programs, and provide greater recognition of long-term career opportunities for local students and adults who may be changing careers.
Created by unanimous support in the 2013 General Assembly, the Indiana Works Councils bring together business, education, and work force leaders to identify regional needs for employers, students, and communities. The councils are charged with evaluating the career and technical education opportunities within their regional communities, and working to create innovative programming to meet regional needs.
“Initial surveys and evaluation efforts by the Works Councils determined overall awareness of CTE opportunities was lacking for many students and families,” said Jackie Dowd, special assistant to the governor for workforce innovation. “Regional plans to increase local awareness by a variety of methods will assist in informing students, institutions and employers of the needs and opportunities in the area, and the availability of successful programs to support individual goals and educational/training options.”
Grants were awarded to ten regional works councils who provided specific proposals on their goals for state support. Projects to be completed include local business/industry tour days, expanding Purdue’s electric go-cart camp to engage more CTE students, and professional development and enrichment programming to better inform teachers and school counselors of industry trends and work environments.
Region 8 plans to utilize the talents of existing students to create videos of successful former students to share viable CTE paths and career options. The region will integrate marketing tactics from billboards to blogs that highlight career pathways with existing CTE centers and program offerings.
“We are committed to expanding access to existing programs and encouraging additional students to consider great CTE opportunities,” said David St. John, Chair of the Region 8 Works Council. “Too many students and their families fail to see the opportunities in their areas for great paying jobs and sustainable careers.”
The Works Councils are currently reviewing the recently released strategic plan from the Indiana Career Council to further align their activities. Additional grant announcements to support specific innovative CTE programs within the regions are also expected soon.
“We want every Hoosier to be well informed of available options as they choose their career paths, whether they be a student or adult changing careers,” added Dowd. “Matching talents, aptitudes and personal goals with employers who have or predict future job openings will sustain our communities, build our economies, and provide personal satisfaction for a job well done.”