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VINCENNES, Ind. - Vincennes University is partnering with the State of Indiana to offer state-funded certificates and non-credit training at its multiple campuses. The first set of eligible courses start this October.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb joined the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE) and the Department of Workforce Development on August 14 to unveil the state’s new Next Level Jobs initiative. The goal of the initiative is to put Hoosiers to work in high-demand, high-wage jobs as quickly as possible. Two grant programs will help achieve that goal: the Workforce Ready Grant and the Employer Training Grant.

“The Workforce Ready Grant aims to boost the skills of Hoosier job seekers to fill jobs in high-demand industries by providing funding for eligible residents to pursue certificate-level and non-credit training programs, many of which can be completed with Vincennes University,” said David Tucker, VU Vice President of Workforce Development and Community Services.

The grant covers full tuition costs for eligible Hoosiers who pursue certificates in one of the following high-growth sectors of Indiana’s economy: advanced manufacturing, building and construction, health and life sciences, information technology and business services, and transportation and logistics.

To qualify for a Workforce Ready Grant, one must meet the following minimum criteria:
*· Must be an Indiana Resident
*· Must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent
*· Must not have previously received either an associate or bachelor’s degree
*· Must file a 2017-18 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The full grant eligibility requirements can be found at www.nextleveljobs.org/workforce-ready-grant.html. In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements, one must enroll in a grant-qualifying academic program with Vincennes University, such as CNC Machining, Pharmacy Technician, Web Site Development, and Supply Chain Logistics. A complete list of Vincennes University’s grant-eligible, credit-bearing certificates and non-credit bearing programs can be found on the Next Level Jobs site, www.nextleveljobs.org/qualifying-programs.html.

Students interested in pursuing one of VU’s Workforce Ready grant-eligible programs can contact Evan Sievers at esievers@vinu.edu or 812-887-6109, or complete a Next Level Job Seeker application at www.NextLevelJobs.org.

The Employer Training Grant program assists Indiana companies to train and retain new hires. Under the program eligible companies can receive up to $2,500 per new employee. Much like the Workforce Ready Grant, the Employer Training Grant also targets high-demand industries for the state: advanced manufacturing, agriculture, building and construction, health and life sciences, information technology and business services, and transportation and logistics. A list of occupations that are potentially eligible for Employer Training Grants can be found at www.nextleveljobs.org/Eligible-occupations.pdf.

Interested Hoosier companies can contact the Department of Workforce Development directly about using this grant by completing an application at www.indianacareerready.com/NextLevelJobs/Index.

Employers who wish to explore how Employer Training Grants can be utilized for VU Training can contact Martha Thomson at mthomson@vinu.edu or 812-888-5284.

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