July 13, 2020
VINCENNES, Ind. – The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a job crisis in the United States with workers being confronted by unemployment, layoffs, fewer hours, and furloughs. With the help of Vincennes University, the state of Indiana is temporarily expanding the Next Level Jobs program aimed at providing Hoosiers with free job training in high-paying, in-demand industries.
Through the Workforce Ready Grant, individuals gain much-needed skills necessary for highly sought-after careers in advanced manufacturing, health & life sciences, building & construction, information technology & business services, and transportation & logistics. Eligibility, tuition-free program offerings, and funding have increased through Dec. 30.
“Regardless of where you are in the state, VU should have a location near you that offers some type of training that you can potentially be able to tap into,” said Evan Sievers, VU’s Next Level Jobs Representative.
The Workforce Ready Grant program has been expanded to temporarily include Hoosiers with two- and four-year degrees. This is especially beneficial to students who received a degree in a certain field of study and now want to transition to a different employment sector.
To provide students with greater choices, almost 50 new certificates have been added to the current list of eligible programs, including Phlebotomy Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), CNC Machining, Truck Driver Training, Industrial Maintenance and Robotics, and Dental Assistant short-term training programs.
VU offers Workforce Ready Grant programs for students online and in multiple locations throughout Indiana, including the Vincennes and Jasper campuses, Aviation Technology Center in Indianapolis, VU Logistics and Training Education Center in Plainfield, Haas Technical Education Center in Lebanon, and Gibson County Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics in Fort Branch.
Sherry Sims of Vincennes, Ind. earned an accounting certificate online through VU and the Workforce Ready Grant. She applied for the program after starting a new job in a finance department without prior experience in the field.
“I decided I wanted to go back to school to learn more about accounting,” Sims said. “I learned a lot of skills pertaining to my new position that allowed me to understand my work responsibilities better. My work performance improved. The grant program helped me to improve my skills and get a raise at work. This expansion could do the same for many Hoosiers.”
Individuals who have completed a certificate program have seen an average wage increase of $6,400 a year.
“Expanding the Next Level Jobs program will give thousands of additional Hoosiers the opportunity to gain the skills needed to succeed in high-demand careers,” said Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb in a news release. “Investing in these proven programs with our federal dollars will ensure Hoosiers across our state can recover quickly from the negative economic impacts of COVID-19 and secure quality jobs.”
Eligible Hoosiers who pursue credit-bearing certificates with VU will have full tuition costs covered by the Next Levels Jobs grant. Increased funding is available to students seeking non-credit bearing training with VU.
With $22 million of CARES Act funding devoted to the Workforce Ready Grant, at least 10,000 additional Hoosiers will benefit.
Learn more about VU and Next Level Jobs: https://www.vinu.edu/web/workforce-development/nextleveljobs. Contact VU at nextleveljobs@vinu.edu or 812-888-5305.
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