(NETWORK IN) There’s a deal on Governor Holcomb’s top legislative priority.
The final package makes some job training grants available immediately, while laying the groundwork for a full discussion of increased spending next year.
The package also expands career counseling in schools and requires schools to cooperate with apprenticeship programs. And it creates a “career Cabinet” to oversee it from the statehouse, with business leaders from a range of industries joining education leaders to advise the governor on which programs are working and deserve funding, and what will best position Hoosiers for the skills they’ll need in an evolving workplace.
Senate President Pro Tem David Long says local councils of schools and businesses will decide how to implement the Cabinet’s guidelines with specific programs.
House Speaker Brian Bosma says he’s pleasantly surprised legislators found a way to kickstart some training programs before the broader discussion next year. He says the package uses federal money and already-budgeted state funds to expand job training grants for new high school graduates, and creates incentives for businesses to help Hoosiers of all ages to get their G-E-D or new job certifications.