The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) recently received $3,907,725 in grant funding through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Building America program. The money will expand Registered Apprenticeship programs in the state.
“Data show apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities lead to more career options, more engaged and happier employees, and provide benefits to both the student and the employer,” said DWD Interim Commissioner Josh Richardson. “This grant funding will enable DWD to diversify and enhance Indiana’s current apprenticeship options in Hoosier communities.”
DWD was awarded funding for state apprenticeship system building and modernization. The department will partner with regional WorkOne locations to incentivize and expand apprenticeships, including State Earn and Learn programs. SEALs are certified through the Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship, housed within DWD. SEALs are structured, but flexible, programs that include an education component, an on-the-job training component, industry certifications and college credit. SEALs are also used as high-quality, pre-apprenticeship programs for Registered Apprenticeships in both the youth and adult spaces.
The Apprenticeship Building America grant program is designed to expand and modernize Registered Apprenticeships by increasing the number of programs and apprentices, diversifying the industries that use Registered Apprenticeships and improving the access to and performance of Registered Apprenticeship programs for underrepresented and underserved communities.
The ABA grant will allow Indiana to continue scaling these programs through its statewide system of intermediaries – the regional workforce boards.